Vehicle safety record

2001 BMW 325IT Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2001 BMW 325IT with NHTSA, most often about the suspension (3) and the airbags (1). It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in January 2020 for the inflator module. For comparison, the 2000 has 0 and the 2002 has 0.

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NHTSA data checked yesterday

19/100Safety Index

FFar more problems than a typical 325IT year, for its age

#268 most complained-about 2001 vehicle

Complaints: 4
Recalls: 4
Crashes: 0
Fires: 0
Injuries: 0
Deaths: 0

Most common 2001 BMW 325IT problems

Share of all 4 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2001 BMW 325IT recalls 4

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Air bags: inflator module

20V018000Jan 16, 2020292,948 vehicles affected

Do not drive

The problem: 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.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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.

Air bags: inflator module

19V853000Nov 26, 201974,185 vehicles affected

The problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 1999-2001 323i, 325i, 328i and 330i and 2000-2001 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, 323iT, and 325iT vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver air bag as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
The fix: BMW notified owners, and Dealers will replace the driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Engine and engine cooling: fan

02V138000May 16, 20021,550 vehicles affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: 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.
The fix: 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 01v206). 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.

Engine and engine cooling: fan

01V206000Jun 21, 200176,469 vehicles affected

The problem: Vehicle description: 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.
The risk: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fan. Owner notification began september 28, 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.

What owners say

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4 complaints about the 2001 BMW 325IT

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Airbags

Bmw contacted me in september announcing a safety recall of the airbags in my vehicle, indicating they required replacement and bmw would contact me to schedule the service for the recall. Over six months have passed with no action by bmw to correct this urgent safety defect. This is simply unacceptable. Bmw needs to take action to correct this defect. *Tr

Suspension

Both rear springs failed, requiring replacement, at less than 50,000 miles with no excessive driving. My mechanic mentioned that the problem seems endemic to the e46 bmw 3 series. Should the rear suspension have become unloaded on a bump, etc. A serious accident could have resulted. If this problem with the rear springs is common, it could represent a design defect. *Jb

SteeringSuspension

At highway speeds I could feel the front end become unstable and vibrate especially after hitting a bump or changing from asphalt to concrete.My local mechanic said the lower left control arm needed to be replaced and he called bmw for information and they immediately knew of the problem. He recommended I take the car to the local dealer as the car has only 33,000 miles on it and we put less than 8,000 miles/year on it. He said this failure should never have happened this early. Before going to the dealer, I...

Read the full complaint

checked the internet (yahoo using the search terms: bmw "control arm" repair). I found hundreds of thousands of results, many of them forum postings from other 3 series owners who experienced this failure at 15,000 to 20,000 miles. Most of the posts are on sites like bimmerforum, bimmerfest, e46fanatics, etc. My local bmw service center agrees this is a major safety issue but thinks I should pay the $1350 to replace both front control arms (they tell me the other is close to failure). Since this is a serious safety issue and so many other owners have had the problem at 35,000 miles or less I am completing this complaint form. I feel bmw should recall these autos and repair the control arms. *Jb

SuspensionFuel system

Dt*: the contact stated while driving at 35 mph on normal road conditions the service engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a leak was observed in the gas tank. After this incident, the vehicle was taken to the dealer eight more times. The dealer agreed to continue repairing any problems with this vehicle that relates to the gas tank. Updated 3/20/2006 - each time the vehicle was returned to the dealer a diagnostic test was done. Each time the test indicated a small leak in the fuel tank. The left and right rear coil spring made noise. *Nm

BMW 325IT: every year compared

2000 42001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Year	Complaints	Recalls	Top problem	Grade
2005	0	1	-	B
2004	0	1	-	B
2003	0	2	-	C
2002	0	2	-	C
2001	4	4	Suspension	F
2000	0	2	-	C

All 325IT years

2001 BMW 325IT vs rivals

Vehicle	Complaints	Recalls	Crashes	Grade
2001 BMW 325IT	4	4	0	F
2001 BMW 325I	150	7	7	F	Compare
2001 BMW 325CI	49	6	1	F	Compare
2001 BMW 3 Series	36	1	1	B	Compare
2001 BMW 325	31	2	2	F	Compare
2001 BMW 325XI	14	2	0	F	Compare
2001 BMW 320	10	1	0	F	Compare
2001 BMW 325IX	7	0	0	-	Compare
2001 BMW 318	6	0	0	C	Compare

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

Questions about the 2001 BMW 325IT

Does the 2001 BMW 325IT have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2001 BMW 325IT: inflator module (January 2020); inflator module (November 2019); fan (May 2002); fan (June 2001). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 BMW 325IT?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the suspension (3), airbags (1), fuel system (1).

How many complaints has the 2001 BMW 325IT had?

4 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 13, 2006 and the latest on March 16, 2015. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2001 BMW 325IT a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 19 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical BMW 325IT year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

What should I do if my 2001 BMW 325IT has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked yesterday. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data