2001 Bmw 320: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
113,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 10 complaints (30.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 10.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Visibility:Windshield: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 9 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2012 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2001: 8; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10471685 · 2012-08-21 (August 21, 2012)
WHILE DOING 55 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY MY VEHICLE ENGAGED THE BRAKES ON IT'S OWN BRINGING US TO A SCREACHING, SKIDDING STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY SCARY SITUATION ESPECIALLY WHEN TRAVELING WITH YOUR CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TOWED IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THE YAW RATE SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. I CAN NOT BELIEVE MERCEDES IS NOT RECALLING THIS VEHICLES TO BE FIXED WITH SUCH A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AFFECTING THIS CAR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 113,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10471685 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 737207 · 2000-12-02 (December 2, 2000)
IMAGE DISTORTION THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 737207 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 746628 · 2001-06-10 (June 10, 2001)
VEHICLE COOLING FAN FAILED, MANY OTHER BMW OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE FAN, MADE BY SIEMENS IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BY ALL VEHICLES WHICH HAVE THIS DEFECT. WILL CAUSE PEOPLE TO BE STRANDED DUE TO ENGINE OVERHEATING.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 746628 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 746659 · 2001-06-11 (June 11, 2001)
THIS IS AN ACKNOWLEDEGED PROBLEM FROM BMW. THE MANUFACTURER HAS CLAIMED THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT BIG ENOUGH TO WARRANT A RECALL. UNFORTUNATELY MANY OF US ARE BEING LEFT STRANDED WHEN THE PROBLEM SURFACES. EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM IS ACKNOWLEDGED BMW DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS REQUIRED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE BMW NEEDS TO BE CONTACTED AND FORCED TO OFFICIALLY ISSUE A RECALL ON THE 3.0 LITER ENGINES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 746659 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 746692 · 2001-06-11 (June 11, 2001)
VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THEN ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 746692 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 746726 · 2001-06-12 (June 12, 2001)
VEHICLE OVERHEATS: 9 DAYS AFTER TAKING DELIVERY OF MY BRAND NEW CAR, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE BEGINS REGISTERING ABNORMALLY HIGH UNDER NORMAL CITY DRIVING CONDITIONS. I IMMEDIATELY TURN OFF THE A/C, TURN ON THE HEAT TO THE MAXIMUM SETTING, AND ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE NO IMPACT ON THE TEMPERATURE, AND THE RED TEMP INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. I PROMPTLY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND, WHILE DOING SO, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATS. BMWSF SERVICES MY VEHICLE BY INSTALLING AN UPGRADED AUX FAN UNIT ON 5/15/01. PROBLEM 1: BMWNAS LACK OF…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 746726 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 746762 · 2001-06-13 (June 13, 2001)
THIS IS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE, YET THE ENGINE OVERHEATS AT 1828 MILES. A LOT OF SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE HOOD AND HINDERED VISIBILITY. THE OVERHEATING HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY AND ALLOWED ME VERY LITTLE TIME TO REALIZE AND TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ONCE STOPPED, THERE APPEARED TO BE MAJOR LEAKAGE OF COOLANT/ANTI-FREEZE UNDER THE CAR. THE CAR DEALER AND THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT WERE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY. THE SHORT TIME IT TOOK THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT CAN POTENTIALLY BE DANGEROUS AS IT ALLOWS THE DRIVER VERY LITTLE TIME TO STOP AND EXIT THE VEHICLE BEFORE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 746762 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 746951 · 2001-06-17 (June 17, 2001)
I COMPLAINED TO BMW NA OF REPORTED FAILURES OF THE FAN. THEY AGREED THAT THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH SIEMENS MANUFACTURED FANS. THEY LEFT A PHONE MESSAGE (I HAVE A COPY) AGREEING TO PAY FOR A VEHICLE INSPECTION TO DETERMINE IF THE FAN IS THE TYPE PRONE TO FAILURE DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS I HAVE FOR MY SON WHO WILL BE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, BUT THEY WILL CHARGE ME TO REPLACE THE FAN BECAUSE IT HAS NOT YET FAILED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 746951 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V047000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2017-01-20 (January 20, 2017)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 BMW 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323Ci, 325Ci, 330Ci, M3, 323iT, 325iT and 325xiT vehicles, 2001-2002 525i, 530i, 540i, M5, 525iT and 540iT vehicles, and 2001-2003 X5 3.0i, X5 4.4i, and X5 4.6is vehicles. These vehicles may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. These replacement modules contain an air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗