BMW 325 · model year

2001 BMW 325

38 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001BMW325 carries 38 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 9 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 325 is engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan with 11 filings, followed by air bags (4) and electronic stability control (esc) (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2001 325. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

38
Complaints
2
Crashes
9
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

38 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN11
AIR BAGS4
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)3
TIRES2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
SEAT BELTS1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER1
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM1
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM1

Recalls (2)

17V04700020/01/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 hav

19V69800002/10/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 r

Recent Complaints

20151008SERVICE BRAKES

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.

Mileage: 180,000

20151008ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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.

Mileage: 180,000

20150816FireENGINE

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.

Mileage: 240,003

20150816FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 240,003

20150816FireELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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.

Mileage: 240,003

20150806ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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

Mileage: 165,000

20150719ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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..

20141217AIR BAGS

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.

20141216AIR BAGS

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.

20141024AIR BAGS

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

20141020UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

Mileage: 149,500

20120219EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

Mileage: 104,100

20100119AIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 87,000

20091101POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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

Mileage: 219,000

20090616FirePOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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 RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. THIS IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A RECALL THAT BEGAN DURING SEPTEMBER 2001 (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V20 ). THIS VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO ME 03-2004 WITH THE ABOVE PROBLEMS DOCUMENTED BY SEVERAL SERVICE REPAIR SHOPS. I BEGIN

Mileage: 145,000

20090616FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

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 RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. THIS IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A RECALL THAT BEGAN DURING SEPTEMBER 2001 (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V20 ). THIS VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO ME 03-2004 WITH THE ABOVE PROBLEMS DOCUMENTED BY SEVERAL SERVICE REPAIR SHOPS. I BEGIN

Mileage: 145,000

20030825SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

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

Mileage: 54,900

20030318CrashENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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

20021008AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING INJURY TO PASSENGER. *MR

20020906AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Compare 2001BMW325 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 BMW 325 have?
The 2001 BMW 325 has 38 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 9 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 BMW 325?
Yes, the 2001 BMW 325 has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 BMW 325?
The most-complained component for the 2001 BMW 325 is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN with 11 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC).
Is the 2001 BMW 325 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.