2001 BMW 325: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 31 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (40% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 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..”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2015
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 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 report · Air Bags · Sep 2014
“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 report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2011
“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 report · Power Train · Oct 2009
“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 report · Air Bags · Sep 2009
“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 report · Suspension · Aug 2003
“Consumer was traveling about 70mph on highway and without prior warning driver's side airbag deployed. Dealership was aware of problem.*ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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, 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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact 325 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 BMW 325 reliable?
NHTSA has 31 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 BMW 325. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (40% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 BMW 325 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 149,500 miles or less.
Does the 2001 BMW 325 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.