IllustrationWHEN SHIFTED TO REVERSE ENGINE RPMS WENT WIDEOPEN CAUSING IT TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL FROM OUR DRIVEWAY INTO MOBILEHOME ACROSS FROM ME THEN INTO A VAN AND SHOVED IT INTO ANOTHER MOBILEHOME
2001 BMW 325I
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 325I years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
60–25K
1025–50K
1250–75K
1075–100K
24100–150K
19150K+
81 reports with mileage · 70 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports8 fire reports17 injury reports
Power Train complaints
12 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND BACKWARDS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,866.
I AM HORRIFIED. I HAVE 135K MILES ON MY 2001 BMW 325I AND IT WILL NO LONGER REVERSE. I TOOK IT INTO THE TRANSMISSION GUY AND HE TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $4K TO REPAIR. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN VERY GOOD SHAPE, WITH BARELY ANY PROBLEM. HE ALSO SENT ME TO A WEBSITE WHERE APPARENTLY MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. APPAR…
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I AM HORRIFIED. I HAVE 135K MILES ON MY 2001 BMW 325I AND IT WILL NO LONGER REVERSE. I TOOK IT INTO THE TRANSMISSION GUY AND HE TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $4K TO REPAIR. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN VERY GOOD SHAPE, WITH BARELY ANY PROBLEM. HE ALSO SENT ME TO A WEBSITE WHERE APPARENTLY MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THERE IS A WELL KNOWN FAILURE ESP WITH THE 2001 MODEL 3-SERIES. I BELIEVE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OR RECALL SHOULD BE BROUGHT AGAINST BMW. *TR
MY CAR WAS FUNCTIONING PERFECTLY FINE THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT. I WENT INTO A RESTAURANT AND WHEN I CAME OUT AND GOT INTO MY CAR AND TRIED TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING LOT MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP BUT NO MOVEMENT. I PUSHED IT OUT AND PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND THE CAR WORKS FINE BUT THERE IS NO REVERSE. I TOOK …
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MY CAR WAS FUNCTIONING PERFECTLY FINE THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT. I WENT INTO A RESTAURANT AND WHEN I CAME OUT AND GOT INTO MY CAR AND TRIED TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING LOT MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP BUT NO MOVEMENT. I PUSHED IT OUT AND PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND THE CAR WORKS FINE BUT THERE IS NO REVERSE. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE QUOTE I WAS GIVEN IS $6000! MY CAR HIGH BOOKS AT $5400. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THESE CARS AND BMW REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE IT AS A PROBLEM. NOW I'M STUCK WITH A CAR THAT I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX NOR DO I WANT TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO THE CAR THAN IT WILL EVER BE WORTH. I NEED HELP! *TR
2001 BMW 325I. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE TRANSMISSION BLEW OUT *TGW
2001 325 I TRANSMISSION PROBLEM - WILL NOT REVERSE , AFTER LOOKING INTO IT IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM WITH THAT MODEL AND YEAR . I AM ON UNEMPLOYMENT AND NOW CANNOT LOOK FOR WORK DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILLED AGAINST BMW IN NJ , AND WAS WON ! I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY BMW FIX BECAUSE THIS IS…
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2001 325 I TRANSMISSION PROBLEM - WILL NOT REVERSE , AFTER LOOKING INTO IT IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM WITH THAT MODEL AND YEAR . I AM ON UNEMPLOYMENT AND NOW CANNOT LOOK FOR WORK DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILLED AGAINST BMW IN NJ , AND WAS WON ! I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY BMW FIX BECAUSE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT BMW IS WELL KNOWN ABOUT AND DID NOTHING TO FIX IT ! PLEASE HELP! *TR
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE: DRIVE WILL NOT OPERATE IN REVERSE. CAN RESULT IN CARS STALLED IN INTERSECTION, BLOCKING TRAFFIC, WITHOUT CAPABILITY TO AVOID COLLISION BY BACKING UP. *TR
2001 325I BMW WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE GEAR. *TR
MY 2001 BMW 325I LOST REVERSE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY THIS PAST NOVEMBER. THE CAR HAD 64,000 MILES ON IT AND IS IN PERFECT CONDITION. BMW NORTHWEST WANTED TO $5,200 ORIGINALLY TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT I WAS ABLE TO TALK THEM DOWN TO 4,000. EITHER WAY THIS WAS A BMW PROBLEM NOT A CONSUMER PROBLEM AND BMW SHOULD HAVE PAID TO HA…
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MY 2001 BMW 325I LOST REVERSE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY THIS PAST NOVEMBER. THE CAR HAD 64,000 MILES ON IT AND IS IN PERFECT CONDITION. BMW NORTHWEST WANTED TO $5,200 ORIGINALLY TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT I WAS ABLE TO TALK THEM DOWN TO 4,000. EITHER WAY THIS WAS A BMW PROBLEM NOT A CONSUMER PROBLEM AND BMW SHOULD HAVE PAID TO HAVE THIS FIXED. VERY FRUSTRATING EXPERIENCE AND I WOULD LOVE TO BE COMPENSATED FOR MY DUMB INVESTMENT OF A BMW 325I. *TR
THE VEHICLE SLIPPED INTO STEPTRONIC GEAR WHEN BEING SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, FORCING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE SUDDENLY. *AK
Official recalls
620V018000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 15, 2020
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
19V853000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Nov 26, 2019
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 1999-2001 323i, 325i, 328i and 330i and 2000-2001 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, 323iT, and 325iT vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver air bag as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW notified owners, and Dealers will replace the driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
14V428000 · Air Bags
Jun 11, 2018
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
02V138000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan
May 16, 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. THIS IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A RECALL THAT BEGAN DURING SEPTEMBER 2001 (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V206). OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
01V206000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan
Jun 21, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
00V383000 · Wheels:rim
Nov 20, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE MACHINE USED TO MOUNT AND INFLATE THE TIRES ON THE WHEELS AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT MAY HAVE DAMAGED THE INNER RIM FLANGE OF THE WHEELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR FROM THE TIRE AFFECTING HANDLING AND VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FIVE WHEELS FOR POSSIBLE DAMAGE. IF DAMAGE FROM THE MOUNTING MACHINE IS FOUND ON ANY WHEEL, ALL FIVE WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.