RoadVitals

2001 BMW 325

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

NHTSA has issued a “do not drive” advisory affecting this model year.

Campaign 19V698000. Confirm whether your specific vehicle is covered using its VIN before acting on this.

Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov
Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
31
Latest Oct 8, 2015
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Oct 2, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
7
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 31 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 BMW 325, most frequently naming the engine, airbags and transmission categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 4 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine1440.0%
  • Airbags720.0%
  • Transmission38.6%
  • Driver assistance38.6%
  • Electrical25.7%
  • Fuel system12.9%
  • Exterior lighting12.9%
  • Seat belts12.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
19V698000NHTSA advisory: do not drive

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Oct 2, 2019
3,924 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
17V047000NHTSA advisory: do not drive

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 20, 2017
230,117 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 31
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Oct 8, 2015

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, THE CAR SUDDENLY VEERED LEFT AND THE ABS ENGAGED AND SLOWED THE CAR SUDDENLY TO ABOUT 40 MPH. MY IMMEDIATE THOUGHT WAS THAT I HAD BLOWN A TIRE, BUT THEN RECOGNIZED THE ABS WAS CAUSING THE CAR TO JUDDER. THE DSC AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ON. THE MIL LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT DIAGNOSED A FAULTY ROTATIONAL RATE SENSOR (YAW). THE SYSTEM RECOGNIZED THAT IT RECEIVED ERRONEOUS DATA, BUT I BELIEVE FAILED IN AN UNSAFE MANNER. I PURCHASED THIS CAR FOR MY SOON TO BE 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND CRINGE TO THINK HOW SHE WOULD'VE REACTED TO THIS SITUATION. THIS FAILURE PUT THE CAR IN THE PRECISE SITUATION WHERE YOU WOULD WANT THE DSC TO BE WORKING.

NHTSA ID
10780726
Incident
Sep 18, 2015
Mileage
180,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 16, 2015
Fire reported

HAD JUST PARKED THE CAR AND A FEW MINUTES LATER IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD IS BURNED. SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS CAUGHT THE HOLE THING.

NHTSA ID
10748951
Incident
Aug 14, 2015
Mileage
240,003 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 6, 2015

DAUGHTER DRIVING CAR, DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL(DSC) LIGHT CAME ON AND INDIVIDUAL BRAKES STARTED APPLYING THEMSELVES UNCOMMANDED. DROVE TO A LOCAL IMPORT SHOP THAT VERIFIED A BAD YAW SENSOR. PART IS $1300.00 PLUS $300.00 LABOR. PART IS ONLY AVAILABLE FROM BMW WHO HAS SUPERSEDED THE PART NUMBER 3 TIMES. I WENT TO A SALVAGE YARD THAT HAD 13 CARS THAT HAD THE SAME PART NUMBER EFFECTIVITY AND ALL OF THE CARS HAD THE YAW SENSORS REMOVED. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AND VERY DANGEROUS UNLESS YOU DISABLE THE DSC SYSTEM WHICH ALSO DISABLES THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. BELOW IS JUST ONE OF MANY EXAMPLES OF ANOTHER OWNER THAT EXPERIENCED THIS PART FAILURE. STARTED THE CAR THIS MORNING AND DROVE IT FOR APPROX 15 MILES, NO WARNING LIGHT AND EVERYTHING APPEARED OK. DOING THE NATIONAL SPEED LIMIT WHEN HOLY COW, THE DSC KICKS IN AND THE CAR PULLS VIOLENTLY TO ONE SIDE THEN THE OTHER TALK ABOUT HEART MISSING A BEAT, NEARLY IN THE CENTRAL RESERVATION ON THE A52. I WILL BE GETTING THE FAULT CODES READ IN THE WEEK AND WILL DEFINITELY BE SWITCHING OFF THE DSC IN FUTURE UNTIL FIXED.

NHTSA ID
10746882
Incident
Jul 8, 2015
Mileage
165,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 19, 2015

SPECIFIC MONITOR LIGHTS REMAIN ON EVEN AFTER BEING CHECKED AND CLEARED. AN ASTERISK TYPE ICON SHOWS UP NEXT TO THE PRND PANEL AND SLOWS DOWN VEHICLE WHERE AS YOU NEED TO PUT MUCH PRESSURE ON GAS PEDAL TO GET IT TO MOVE SLIGHTLY,PULLING OVER AND SHUTTING OFF ENGINE FOR 2 MINS REMOVES THE ICON AND ISSUE, BUT MOSTLY THESE ARE UNPREDICTABLE OCCURRENCES.THE BODY OF CAR ICON LIGHTS STAY ON INDICATING THE CARS BACK LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING, EVEN AFTER FIXING LIGHTS. THE CAR'S RECALL #14V428 ; PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AS OF YET. CURRENTLY ALL WINDOWS ARE JAMMED THE MOTOR HUMS BUT WINDOWS DO NOT OPEN UNLESS PUSHED ON, 3 OF 4 DON'T EVEN DO THAT..

NHTSA ID
10734983
Incident
Mar 30, 2015
Airbags
Filed Dec 17, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10664836
Incident
Dec 17, 2014
Airbags
Filed Dec 16, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL REPAIR. IT WAS CONFIRMED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WAS INSTALLED WITH A TAKATA AIR BAG. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WAS A SAFETY CONCERN AND MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN IN A HUMID STATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10664553
Incident
Dec 16, 2014
Airbags
Filed Oct 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

NHTSA ID
10649815
Incident
Sep 16, 2014
Filed Oct 20, 2014

ABS SPEED SENSORS FAILED. BRAKES FUNCTION BUT CAUSE FOR CONCERN.

NHTSA ID
10648970
Incident
Oct 19, 2014
Mileage
149,500 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

SIB-63-02-01

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BMW: PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING AND REPLACING INCANDESCENT AND HALOGEN LIGHT BULBS UNDER WARRANTY. *RM

SIB-32-04-07

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM; STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

BMW: A NEW TECHNICAL PROCESS HAS BEEN CREATED FOR BMW TO IDENTIFY CAUSES OF STEERING COMPLAINTS WITH A WIDE RANGE OF MODELS. *RM

SIB-16-02-09

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

BMW VEHICLES: FUEL LEVEL SENSOR REPAIRS. WHERE IT IS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT SIDE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR DUE TO A FAILURE, THE ENTIRE PUMP AND HOUSING OR DELIVERY UNIT (SUCTION JET ASSEMBLY) DO NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. IN SOME CASES, EPC DOES NOT SHOW THAT THE REPAIR KIT IS AVAILABLE SEPARATELY IN THE ILLUSTRATION, BUT IT IS AVAILABLE IN THE PARTS DESCRIPTION. ALL MODELS. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 325 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012011—
2011011—
2010011—
2009011—
2008111—
2007011—
2006811—
2003900—
2002262352.6
2001Viewing312054.6
2000020—
1999200—
1998400—
1997100—
1996400—
1995230042.2
1994251044.5
1993831—
1992233258.9
1991632—
1990621—
1989112159.8
1988721—
1987152365.9
1986934—
1985125—
1984311—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.