- The problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 BMW 3 Series (323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci and 330Ci), 1999-2001 323i, 328i, 330i, 330xi, and 2000 323i, 328i stationwagon vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata. These vehicles are equipped with driver-side air bag inflators that were previously inspected, but not replaced under recall numbers 19V-851, 19V852, or 19V-853. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to explode or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
- The risk
- The inflator could explode during air bag deployment, resulting 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
- Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag inflator with a newly designed inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Vehicle safety record
2001 BMW 328I Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2001 BMW 328I with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (2) and the transmission & drivetrain (1). It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in May 2021 for the inflator module. For comparison, the 2000 has 112 and the 2002 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical 328I year, for its age
#268 most complained-about 2001 vehicle
- Complaints
- 4
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2001 BMW 328I problems
Share of all 4 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2001 BMW 328I recalls 3
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
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.
- 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.
What owners say
Be the first 328I owner to share.
2 people checked this vehicle in the last 30 days. Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
4 complaints about the 2001 BMW 328I
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Rear differential failure at 33k miles while traveling at 65mph, causing loss of control and near accident with other vehicles. Bmwna states no liability for incident and ignores the factory warranty on a 2000 module year 3 series. I was required to pay for all damages and new parts. I have the original differential showing the shattered pinion gear. I was lucky someone else might kill someone on the road because bmw refuses to accept a problem. *Ph
While driving, tire blewup and the whole outer wall of the tire fell apart at its entire circumference. The car became difficult to control and luckily we prevented a major crash due to it.*Ak (dot number: lmujp5b7 tiresize: 245/40zr17)
Ambient temp was 75 degrees. Traffic was stop and go. Steam was streaming from under the hood. Service engine light and low coolant line illuminated. *Ak
Vehicle overheated while seating in traffic at a red light, with the a/c on. The car had not been running for more than 10 minutes. The car was exactly one month old when this occured.*Ak
BMW 328I: every year compared
All 328I years2001 BMW 328I vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 BMW 328I | 4 | 3 | B | |
| 2001 BMW 325I | 150 | 7 | F | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 325CI | 49 | 6 | F | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 3 Series | 36 | 1 | B | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 325 | 31 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 325XI | 14 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 320 | 10 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 325IX | 7 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 318 | 6 | 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 328I
Does the 2001 BMW 328I have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2001 BMW 328I: inflator module (May 2021); inflator module (January 2020); inflator module (November 2019). 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 328I?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (2), transmission & drivetrain (1), wheels & tires (1).
How many complaints has the 2001 BMW 328I had?
4 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on July 9, 2001 and the latest on July 31, 2003. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2001 BMW 328I a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 62 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical BMW 328I 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.
Which BMW 328I years have the most complaints?
2011 (686), 2013 (289), 2014 (152). See every BMW 328I year compared.
What should I do if my 2001 BMW 328I 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 . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data