2001 BMW M3: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 14 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 bmw m3. While the vehicle was being serviced by an independent mechanic, the contact was informed of a severe crack in the subframe that supported the rear wheels and suspension. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2018
“Inspection by two mechanics shows cracks in the subframe holding the back wheels. There was a legal case involving this defect that was settled by bmw which was to fix the problem and notify all owners of 3 series bmw's about the defect so it could be fixed. They never informed me of defect and have staled on the repair.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2016
“Passenger door cannot be opened either from insider or outside. Appears like the door is double locked. Luckily both doors are not double locked with passenger inside the vehicle. Possible failure of lock actuator without warning or failure of gm5 module *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Aug 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“Left rear suspension spring broke with only about 50k miles. Resulted in noise, poor suspension control over bumps. Repair shop is replacing with a new one. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2010
“Automatic dimming rear view mirror developed a "bubble," which itself impeded rear view vision, and stopped dimming effectively, making night time driving difficult and dangerous. *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Mar 2009
“My m3 cic makes a loud grinding/clatter type noise when disengaging the 6-speed manual clutch in both 1st and reverse. This happens when the car is moving at about 1-2 mph. Bmw tech's say this is normal operation, however, I can't duplicate the same problem on a new m3 w/6 speed transmission. *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2004
“Consumer called complaining about having problem with the vehicle stalling while driving the vehicle . Dealer has been notified. Mr. Athary please provide the potential failure of the engine on this vehicle. Ts”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2002
“While driving vehicle grazed the curb and the driver's side air bag deployed. As a result, driver's visibility was impaired, and vehicle crashed into a cement wall. No injuries reported. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2002
“While driving at 30 mph passenger's rear tire locked up, and consumer heard a loud grinding noise when driving, there was recall (01v245000) for this problem, but this vehicle was not included in that recall. Contacted dealer. *ak there was a bolt sticking through the right rear brake assembly. The parking brake was loose and grinding and the parking brake assembly was replaced. The rear bumper was damaged on lot. *yh”Owner report · Parking Brake · May 2002
“Bmw m3 enignes are blowing up at an alarming rate. Manufc claims overrev. Which is not true . Too many failures. Bmw is in cover up by making us sign cofidetial/and no sue agreements. Many owners suffering lossesand no coop. From manu. Or dealers. Please help.!!!!. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TWO SCREWS THAT SECURE THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE MOUNTING BRACKET TO THE BACKING PLATE WERE NOT TIGHTENED PROPERLY. AS A RESULT, THE SCREWS COULD LOOSEN AND EVENTUALLY FALL INTO THE PARKING BRAKE DRUM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE ATTACHING SCREWS AND SECURE THEM WITH THE PROPER TORQUE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 4, 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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2001 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact M3 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 M3 reliable?
NHTSA has 14 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 BMW M3. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2001 BMW M3 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags. 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.