2001 Bmw 325: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
149,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 31 complaints (35.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 12.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 9.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 6.5% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.2% |
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:Fan | 11 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan: 11; Air Bags: 4; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Electrical System: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Air Bags:Side/Window: 1; Engine: 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 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 4
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 22 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 13 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 4 |
2001: 13; 2002: 4; 2003: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 4; 2015: 4
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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 10010007 · 2003-03-18 (March 18, 2003)
THE ENGINE OVER HEATED AND STALLED, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A CURB, THE DEALER STATED THE EXHAUST VALVES OF THE ENGINE WERE BENT, AND THE CAM SHAFT HAD PROBLEMS, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVER HEAT, CONSUMER BELIEVED THE INSTALLATION OF THE CAM SHAFT, CAUSED THE EXHAUST VALVES TO BECOME BENT.*AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010007 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034574 · 2003-08-25 (August 25, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER CAME TO A STOP SIGN. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE PRESSED CONSUMER HEARD A CLANKING SOUND. CONSUMER SOON DISCOVERED THAT THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING BROKE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 54,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10034574 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10273937 · 2009-06-16 (June 16, 2009)
RECALL DATE: 09-28-2001 UNITS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED: 1,550 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V138000 DEFECTIVE PART OR COMPONENT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN DESCRIPTION: 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. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESUL…
Owner-reported narrative. 145,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10273937 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10290524 · 2009-11-01 (November 1, 2009)
2001 BMW 325I WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS OR PREVIOUS SIGNS LOST ITS REVERSE GEAR WITH NO WARNING FOR MY COLLEGE AGE STUDENT AT A DEAD END ROAD. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 219,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10290524 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10300335 · 2010-01-19 (January 19, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325 WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED WHENEVER SOMEONE WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. A LOCAL MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE AIR BAG LIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE IS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE A PART OF THE RECALL SINCE THE LATER MODEL 3 SERIES HAS THE SAME PLATFORM AS THE 2001 MODEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 87,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10300335 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10448462 · 2012-02-19 (February 19, 2012)
REAR LEFT TURN SIGNAL BLINKING FAST INDICATING BAD BULB BUT ALL BULBS ARE GOOD. REAR LEFT TURN SIGNAL BULB HAS A LOWER LUMINOUS INTENSITY THAN THE OTHER BULBS. REPLACING THE BULB WITH A NEW BULB MAKES NOT DIFFERENCE. RIGHT TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY BLINKS FAST INDICATING A BAD BULB BUT ALL BULBS ARE WORKING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 104,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10448462 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10648970 · 2014-10-20 (October 20, 2014)
ABS SPEED SENSORS FAILED. BRAKES FUNCTION BUT CAUSE FOR CONCERN.
Owner-reported narrative. 149,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10648970 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10649815 · 2014-10-24 (October 24, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAG) EXCEEDED THE REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AND DECLINE TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED TIME FRAME FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. UPDATED 12/01/14*LJ *JS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10649815 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 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 ↗19V698000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-10-02 (October 2, 2019)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 325i and 325xi Sedan, and 323Ci, 325Ci, and 330Ci Convertible vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles that 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. The frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp 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 and, as necessary, replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of previous recalls, numbers 17V-047 and 19V-015.
NHTSA campaign record ↗