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2001 BMW 325I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

3 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I AM WRITING YOU REGARDING AN EVENT THAT OCCURRED WITH MY DAUGHTER'S 2001 BMW 325I. HER CAR HAS ABOUT 118,000 MILES ON IT. RECENTLY IT DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK SO MY WIFE TRADED CARS WITH HER ONE EVENING ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO AND WE TOOK THE CAR TO OUR FAVORITE MECHANIC. I DISCUSSED THE SERVICES WE THOUGHT WERE NECESSARY WITH TH…

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I AM WRITING YOU REGARDING AN EVENT THAT OCCURRED WITH MY DAUGHTER'S 2001 BMW 325I. HER CAR HAS ABOUT 118,000 MILES ON IT. RECENTLY IT DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK SO MY WIFE TRADED CARS WITH HER ONE EVENING ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO AND WE TOOK THE CAR TO OUR FAVORITE MECHANIC. I DISCUSSED THE SERVICES WE THOUGHT WERE NECESSARY WITH THE CAR WITH THE MECHANIC ' AN OIL LEAK, SOME INTERMITTENT MIS-FIRING AND ALSO THAT MY DAUGHTER HAD TOLD ME THAT RECENTLY SOMETIMES THE BRAKES WOULD COME ON WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. I HAD ASKED HER WHAT SHE MEANT AND SHE SAID 'THE BRAKES WOULD GRAB WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING AND THAT IT MADE IT HARD TO STEER'. THE MECHANIC ASKED IF I THOUGHT SHE WAS INADVERTENTLY TAPPING THE BRAKES. I TOLD HIM NO, SHE WAS VERY CLEAR ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. THE MECHANIC FOUND A LEAKING HEAD COVER GASKET AND CRANK SEAL THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE REPAIRS WERE ACCOMPLISHED FOR THESE ITEMS FIRST. THEN THE TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE THE CAR TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE BRAKES. HE RELATED TO ME THAT AT 60 MPH THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE GRABBED AND THEN RELEASED AS THE ABS SYSTEM TOOK OVER. THE CAR SWERVED DRASTICALLY TO THE LEFT AND THE TECHNICIAN ALMOST STRUCK THE CONCRETE BARRIER WALL ALONGSIDE AS HE CORRECTED THE STEERING. HE TOLD ME HAD NOT EXPECTED SUCH A DRAMATIC LOSS OF CONTROL AND HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED NOR HEARD OF ANOTHER CAR BEHAVING IN THIS MANNER. OUR MECHANIC AND HIS TECHNICIAN WENT THROUGH A NUMBER OF DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES WHICH LED TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE YAW AND STEERING WHEEL SENSORS. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE SAN ANTONIO BMW DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR REQUIRED COMPUTER CODING AND RETURNED TO ME AS REPAIRED. HAS THIS EVENT OCCURRED IN ANY OTHER CARS THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF? THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THERE IS AN ON-LINE NETWORK THAT MECHANICS CAN SHARE NOTES WITH THAT MENTIONS THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL INSTANCES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10223499

46,000 miles · Jun 6, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY BEGAN TO BRAKE. THE TRAVEL SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE DSC/ADB LIGHTS (AUTOMATIC DIFFERENTIAL BRAKING) WERE THE ONLY WARNING INDICATORS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS SINCE TURNED OFF T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY BEGAN TO BRAKE. THE TRAVEL SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE DSC/ADB LIGHTS (AUTOMATIC DIFFERENTIAL BRAKING) WERE THE ONLY WARNING INDICATORS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS SINCE TURNED OFF THE DSC/ADB LIGHTS. THE ENGINE SIZE, PURCHASE DATE, AND CORRECT VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,000.

NHTSA ODI #10192521

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKES THEY FAILED. CONSUMER STATED THE ONLY WAY TO STOP VEHICLE WAS TO PUT VEHICLE INTO REVERSE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10042748

Official recalls

6

20V018000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.