Model yearDo not drive

2001 BMW 325IT

Wagon, gasoline, built in Germany. Owner complaints on file from Feb 13, 2006 to Mar 16, 2015.

Recall campaigns covering this model year4445k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints4Below the median 2001 wagon
Severity index0.02001 wagons average 8.2
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 2001 BMW 325IT peaked in 2006, with 3 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

0123200632008201020122014201620182020202220242026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

75% of complaints about the 2001 BMW 325IT name suspension

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Suspension
3
Airbags
1
Fuel system
1
Steering
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

4 recall campaigns cover the 2001 BMW 325IT

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 2001 BMW 325IT
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
20V-018Jan 15, 2020These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and…Do not driveAirbags292,948Part replacement
19V-853Nov 26, 2019These vehicles may have received a replacement driver air bag as part of a vehicle repairAirbags74,185Part replacement
02V-138May 16, 2002On certain passenger vehicles, the engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlledEngine and cooling1,550Part replacement
01V-206Jun 21, 2001Vehicle description: passenger vehiclesEngine and cooling76,469Part replacement
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 2001 BMW 325IT

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

4 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Mar 16, 2015Failure Sep 15, 2014120,000 milesBelmont, MAAir bags

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10694737
  2. Filed Jun 23, 2006Failure Apr 27, 200648,000 milesSomerville, MACoil springs

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10160639
  3. Filed Mar 18, 2006Failure Mar 18, 200633,000 milesPhoenixville, PAIdler and attachment, Control arm

    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 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

    NHTSA complaint 10153093
  4. Filed Feb 13, 2006Failure Feb 1, 200629,223 milesCoamo, PRFuel system, Tank assembly, Rear

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10150193
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year

Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins

16 manufacturer communications cover this model year

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

  • B510819 Jan 16, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
  • B340414 Apr 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases th…
  • B651820 Nov 1, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    SERVICE ACTION - HEAD AIR BAG HOLDER RETROFIT: A rattle noise may develop from the head air bag (ITS) gas generator contacting adjacent component. This noise can be heard while driving on an uneven roadway.
  • B013118 Apr 1, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
  • B013118 Apr 1, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
  • B080119 Feb 1, 2018 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has expanded the BMW Ultimate Rewards platform to include a new Recall Support page. This page will allow IRFs to check their customers VINs for open Takata recal…
  • B011618 Jan 1, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    TAKATA CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULES.
  • 120913 Nov 1, 2013 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    State Inspection and Emission (I/M) Test Fails Due To an Invalid VIN Number. The customer of an affected vehicle may fail to pass an I/M test due to a non-compliant 17digit vehicle identification number (VIN) stored in the DME (Digital Motor Electronic). Th…
  • B011718 Oct 1, 2018 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    For the above-referenced vehicles with passenger?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer Support Program Overview attachment. This ?component-specific?…
  • B011618 Oct 1, 2018 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer Support Program Overview attachment. This ?component-specific? c…
  • 340414 Dec 1, 2014 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles. INFORMATION 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) …
  • 651414 Jun 1, 2014 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Special Technical Campaign. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has urged vehicle manufacturers to conduct an investigation into air bags which may not deploy correctly. BMW is cooperating with this request. Takata is a supplier of ai…
  • B340414 Sep 1, 2015 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 34 04 14 dated December 2014. Designates changes to the bulletin. INFORMATION 1.Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heati…
  • SIB-63-02-01 Aug 1, 2010 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    BMW: PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING AND REPLACING INCANDESCENT AND HALOGEN LIGHT BULBS UNDER WARRANTY. *RM
  • SIB-32-04-07 Jun 1, 2010 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    BMW: A NEW TECHNICAL PROCESS HAS BEEN CREATED FOR BMW TO IDENTIFY CAUSES OF STEERING COMPLAINTS WITH A WIDE RANGE OF MODELS. *RM
  • SIB-16-02-09 Dec 1, 2009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    BMW VEHICLES: FUEL LEVEL SENSOR REPAIRS. WHERE IT IS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT SIDE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR DUE TO A FAILURE, THE ENTIRE PUMP AND HOUSING OR DELIVERY UNIT (SUCTION JET ASSEMBLY) DO NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. IN SOME CASES…
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.