Page 2 of 4 · complaints 51–100 of 151

2001 BMW 325i complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2001 record →

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 22, 2012GA

A FRIEND WAS FOLLOWING ME HOME AND NEARLY RAN IN BACK OF ME BECAUSE SHE SAID I DIDN'T BRAKE , I TOLD HER I DID , BUT A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR, SO I WENT TO PURCHASE MORE BULBS, THE BULB WORKED FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS, THEN THE WARNING LIGHT CAME BACK ON, THEN DAYS LATER THE OTHER ONE , I TOOK TO MECHANIC, HE FOUND THAT A PART IN THE HOUSING HAD BURNED ALL THE WAY DOWN, AND THAT I SHOULD CHECK ON RECALLS, BECAUSE IT'S NO FAULT OF MINE... I CHECKED RECALLS AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE HOUSING THAT HOUSES THE BRAKE AND SIGNAL LIGHTS, BEGINNING WITH 2002... MY CAR IS A 325I 2001, I FEEL THAT THIS YEAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RECALL, I RESEARCHED ONLINE, AND FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH A 2001 BMW325I WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE CURRENT RECALL... THIS COULD DEFINITELY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, WITH THE HOUSING WORKING ONE MINUTE AND OUT THE NEXT , REALLY THINK THIS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IMMEDIATELY... I WAS PULLED OVER BY AN OFFICER STATING I DIDN'T SIGNAL, BUT I DID, THE SIGNAL WORKED IN CAR, BUT DIDN'T OUTSIDE ... *TR

Air Bags
Filed Aug 13, 201298,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 1, 2012112,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 4, 201250,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC AND A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE DRIVER SEAT BELT TENSIONER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 13, 2012NY

PURCHASED THE CAR USED, IN JANUARY 2011, WITH APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MILES. VEHICLE HAD SEVERAL STORED ENGINE CODES, PO0300,171,174,1345,1351,1353; MOSTLY RELATING TO OXYGEN SENSORS AND THE MAF. ALL ENGINE HOSES, THE MAF, ALL 4 OXYGEN SENSORS AND THE IGNITION COIL PACKS WERE REPLACED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF NORMAL DRIVING, ALL CODES HAD RETURNED. MECHANIC IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE POINTS OF FAILURE FOR THESE ISSUES AND BMW DENIES ANY EXISTING PROBLEM THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT, TURNS ON AND OFF, RANDOMLY, WHETHER SOMEONE IS SITTING THERE, OR NOT. FAILURE OF THE SENSOR COULD CAUSE THE AB NOT TO DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT, CAUSING SERIOUS, IF NOT FATAL, INJURY. BMW IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, DOES NOT REPLACE/REPAIR. DOOR LOCK/WINDOW/WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE, KNOWN AS GM5, FAILS RANDOMLY AND OFTEN. IT HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES, WHILE I WAS IN THE CAR. SINCE IT DISABLES THE DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOWS, I WAS TRAPPED IN MY CAR FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. THANKFULLY, I HAD THE WINDOW ROLLED DOWN FAR ENOUGH TO PASS MY KEYS TO SOMEONE ON THE OUTSIDE, SO THEY COULD UNLOCK THE DOOR. IN AN ACCIDENT, PASSENGERS COULD BE STUCK, KEEPING EMERGENCY WORKERS FROM GIVING THEM MEDICAL ATTENTION, IN A TIMELY FASHION. BMW IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT DENIES IT'S EXISTENCE. I ALSO RECEIVE RANDOM EXTERIOR LIGHT OUT WARNINGS, ON THE DASH. USUALLY, IT'S BOTH TAILLIGHTS, BUT MORE FREQUENTLY, IT IS THE DRIVER SIDE LIGHT SENSOR, THAT FAILS, THOUGH THE LIGHT IS ACTUALLY WORKING, JUST F

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 9, 201285,000 milesWA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHT CARRIAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE REAR TAIL LIGHT CARRIAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.

SeatsFire1 injured
Filed Mar 5, 2012198,000 milesVA

THE SEAT HEATER CAUGHT FIRE BURNING A HOLE IN THE SEAT, SINGING MY JEANS AND MY LEG (MINOR BURN, NOT MEDICALLY TREATED), AND CAUSING THE AIR BAG SENSOR TO MELT. BMW HAS RECALLED THESE SEATS IN OTHER MODELS BUT NOT THIS ONE. I SENT THE INFORMATION TO BMW AND AM AWAITING A RESPONSE. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 17, 2012AL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, AN ERROR MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ALERTED TO HER THAT THE REAR QUARTER PANEL LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS BECAUSE THEY CREATED A FIRE HAZARD. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE ERROR MESSAGE CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS) BUT DID NOT ADVISE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed Jan 18, 2012207,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED AND WOULD FLASH ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHT BULB CARRIER FAILED AND CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 207,000. UPDATED 02/15/12 *BF THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECAL # 11V438000. THE RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 04/18/12

Exterior LightingFire
Filed Jan 11, 2012186,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GROUND WIRES FOR THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY BURNED OUT, CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE REPAIRS WOULD INCLUDE ADDING A GROUND WIRE TO THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED TEH CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR HIS VEHICLE AND OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 5, 2012177,236 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 177,236. UPDATED 02/09/12*LJ UPDATED 02/13/12

Exterior LightingFire
Filed Dec 30, 201186,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED AND WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE WIRES IN THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE BURNED OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INLCUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 86,000.

Exterior LightingFire
Filed Dec 20, 2011NC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE WIRING HAD BURNED OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Power Train
Filed Dec 15, 2011DC

2001 BMW 325I. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE TRANSMISSION BLEW OUT *TGW

Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 7, 2011189,500 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS CAUSED THE REAR LAMP FUNCTIONS TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,500.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 14, 2011112,000 milesMS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE WAS ADVISED THAT HIS TAIL LAMPS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR TAIL LAMPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO HIS VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 112,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 11, 2011156,111 milesWA

CAR IS A BMW 325I. MODEL YEAR 2001. THE ELECTRICAL DOOR UNLOCK MECHANISM DOES NOT ALWAYS UNLOCK THE DOORS. IN PARTICULAR, THE BUTTON TO UNLOCK ALL DOORS WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS NOW. I SUSPECT THAT IT IS RELATED TO A FAULTY GENERAL MODULE 5 UNIT IN THE CAR. ON RARE OCCASIONS UNLOCKING THE DOOR WILL NOT WORK WHEN PULLING THE DOOR LATCH WHEN THE ALL DOOR LOCK BUTTON IS NOT WORKING, LEADING TO DRIVER/PASSENGERS TRAPPED IN THE CAR. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 27, 2011113,025 milesNC

GM5, AND MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR NOT WORKING ON MY 2001 325I BMW. IT SHUTS OFF WHEN GET A DEAD STOP AND ABOUT TO TAKE OFF AGAIN. THE DOORS WILL UNLOCK AND LOCK AFTER PRESSING THE BUTTONS MULTIPLE TIMES. THE REMOTE AS WELL WILL NOT UNLOCK OR LOCK THE DOORS EVERYTIME. ITS AT RANDOM WITH NO SPECIFIC PATTERN. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan
Filed Mar 8, 2011SC

2001 BMW 325I. ATTORNEY WRITES ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS REGARDING VEHICLE RECALL REPAIRS *TGW WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED 140,000 MILES IT BEGAN RUNNING UNUSUALLY LOUD WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING AN INTERMITTENT BEEPING SOUND. ACCORDING TO AN INVOICE, THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, BUT THE REPAIRS WERE DECLINED. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO EXERCISE HIS RIGHT TO HAVE THE RECALL REMEDIED DUE TO THE VEHICLE POTENTIALLY CATCHING ON FIRE. RECALL NUMBERS 01V206000 AND 02V138000 WERE MENTIONED IN THE LETTER. *JB UPDATED 05/12/11. *JB

Air Bags
Filed Feb 18, 2011170,000 milesTX

MY 2001 BMW 325I AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND OFF CONSTANTLY AND ENGINE STALL AT LOW SPEED( MOST OF THE TIME WHEN I REVERT). *LN

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Dec 24, 20101,500 milesCA

MY 2001 BMW 325I HAS A DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF MORE THAN 15 REPAIRS OF WINDOW REGULATORS. THE ORIGINAL BMW WINDOW REGULATORS LAST FOR A FEW MONTHS, AND FAIL ONE AFTER ANOTHER. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING A SEVERE RAIN STORM, CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DISRUPTION OF DRIVERS CONCENTRATION, AS WELL AS CAR FLOODING AND WATER DAMAGE. I BELIEVE IT IS A VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUE, WHICH WAS NEVER CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Sep 15, 2010VA

BMW 325I E46 MODEL HAS DOOR LOCKING ISSUES. THE DOORS WILL LOCK AND NOT UNLOCK TRAPPING PASSENGERS INSIDE THE CAR. THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IS TO CRAWL OUT THE WINDOW AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY WHICH FIXES THE ISSUE BUT ONLY TEMPORARILY. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND BMW SHOULD FIX THE ISSUE THROUGH A RECALL. IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT PEOPLE CANNOT GET OUT OF THE CAR, WHAT IF THEY WERE IN AN ACCIDENT AND COULD NOT ESCAPE THE VEHICLE? *TR

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Aug 23, 2010115,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED. THE WINDOW WOULD OPEN BUT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE WINDOW; THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO MANUALLY PULL THE WINDOW BACK UP WHILE ENGAGING THE POWER WINDOW BUTTON. A PORTION OF THE REGULATOR FELL INTO THE DOOR PANEL. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Jun 18, 2010127,000 milesNY

I HAVE A 2001 BMW 325I SEDAN (PRODUCTION DATE 10/2000) AND I'M HAVING A ISSUE WITH MY DOOR LOCKS. TODAY WHEN GOING TO PICK UP MY CHILD FROM SCHOOL, I WAS UNABLE TO EXIT MY VEHICLE. I ALWAYS LOCK MY DOORS ONCE I BEGIN DRIVING FOR MY OWN COMFORT AND SAFETY. SO AFTER PARKING MY CAR AND REMOVING MY KEY, NORMALLY I WOULD BE ABLE TO PULL THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO THE DRIVERS DOOR AND THE DOOR WOULD UNLOCK, IT DIDN'T. I DON'T HAVE AN ALARM ON THE CAR SO I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS GOING ON. I PUSHED THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR TO ATTEMPT TO UNLOCK THE DOOR WITH NO SUCCESS. I PRESSED THE BUTTON ON MY KEY TO ATTEMPT TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH AGAIN, NO SUCCESS. THE ONLY WAS I WAS ABLE TO EXIT MY VEHICLE WAS TO PUT THE KEY BACK IN THE IGNITION, OPEN THE DRIVERS WINDOW, TAKE THE KEY BACK OUT AND USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED, BUT IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WHERE I WAS LOCKED INSIDE MY CAR. IT HAPPENED ONCE IN THE WINTER AND I WAS UNABLE TO GET INTO MY CAR FOR OVER 30MINUTES. THIS IS A VERY BIG SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I WAS TRAPPED IN MY CAR. I COULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT AND CAN'T GET OUT THE CAR THROUGH THE DOORS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. THE MOST SCARY PART IS THAT I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. SOMETHING HAS GOT TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. I TOOK THE CAR TO BE LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST ME ALMOST $800 TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE W

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 11, 201040,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST GEAR TO SECOND GEAR. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE DRIVER ERROR BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE RPMS WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD AND AFTER THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR, THE VEHICLE BEGAN INDEPENDENTLY DECREASING IN SPEED. IN ADDITION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DANGLING FROM ITS HOUSING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

Air Bags › Side/Window
Filed May 11, 2010101,000 milesCA

DROVE OVER A SMALL POTHOLE ON A STREET, AND THE SIDE AND CURTAIN AIRBAGS PREMATURELY DEPLOYED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAD TO ORDER A NEW SIDE AIRBAG. I AM STILL UNABLE TO ORDER A CURTAIN AIRBAG. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN, AS THE AIRBAGS COULD HAVE INJURED MY PASSENGER. THE CAR HAS NO BODY DAMAGE, AND DRIVES PERFECTLY. I HAVE A AIRBAG SIGNAL ON THE DASH. *TR

Fuel System, Other
Filed May 2, 2010148,241 milesTX

BMW 325I 2001 I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I STARTED TO HEAR THE SOUND OF METAL DRAGGING. I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE STRAP THAT HOLDS THE PASSENGER SIDE GAS TANK UP HAD BUSTED WELDS WHERE THE STRAP ATTACHES TO THE FRONT. THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE STRAP WAS COMPLETELY GONE AND YOU COULD SEE THAT THE WELDS CLEARLY BROKE. THIS SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THE STRAP THAT DANGLES DOWN DRAGS ON THE GROUND AND I'M SURE CAUSES SPARKS RIGHT UNDER THE GAS TANK THAT IS UNSUPPORTED DUE TO THE FAILURE. UPON LOOKING ON A BMW FORUM THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS IN THE EXACT SAME PLACE. MY EMAIL IS [XXX] IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN GIVE ME TO HELP MAKE BMW TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 8, 2010100,000 milesAZ

2001 325 I TRANSMISSION PROBLEM - WILL NOT REVERSE , AFTER LOOKING INTO IT IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM WITH THAT MODEL AND YEAR . I AM ON UNEMPLOYMENT AND NOW CANNOT LOOK FOR WORK DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILLED AGAINST BMW IN NJ , AND WAS WON ! I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY BMW FIX BECAUSE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT BMW IS WELL KNOWN ABOUT AND DID NOTHING TO FIX IT ! PLEASE HELP! *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan
Filed Apr 5, 2010140,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE FANS BEGAN RUNNING UNUSUALLY LOUD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ALSO EXTREMELY LOUD. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO MAKE A BEEPING SOUND INTERMITTENTLY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Equipment
Filed Mar 11, 2010142,000 milesNY

IN THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE, THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 1 HOUR. I GOT INTO THE CAR, PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL FELT VERY TIGHT. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON, I TRIED TO REVERSE THE CAR AND STARTED TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT BUT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE SPOT, MEANWHILE I WAS USING ALL OF MY STRENGTH BUT THEN I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL AND GOT STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND I HAD TO HAVE A BY-STANDER HELP PUSH THE CAR TO A PARKING LOT WHILE I TRIED TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE COMPLAINT IS THAT IF THIS PROBLEM TURNS OUT TO BE THE POWER STEERING PUMP THIS WILL BE THE 3RD TIME I HAVE HAD IT REPLACED IN THIS CAR AND I BELIEVE THAT IS UNHEARD OF! I HAVE THIS REPLACED AT LEAST 1 TIME A YEAR WHICH SEEMS EXCESSIVE. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS THAT CAR HAS BEEN COMPLETELY FINE AND SUDDENLY THE POWER STEERING WILL GO, IT IS VERY SCARY AND I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL HAPPEN ONE DAY WHILE I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. *TR

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jan 19, 2010OH

SINCE I HAVE OWNED MY VEHICLE THREE OF MY WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE GONE OUT. I HAVE REPLACED ALL OF THEM AND RECENTLY ONE OF THE ONES REPLACED, WENT OUT AGAIN. THE ONLY REGULATOR, WHICH HASN'T BEEN CHANGED, IS MAKING CRUNCHING SOUNDS AS BEING ROLLED UP. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 28, 2009130,000 milesGA

I HAVE A 2001 BMW 325I - 4 DOOR. THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS: INTERMITTENTLY (USUALLY WHEN HOT) THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE BUTTON ON THE KEY - ALL FOUR. WHEN THAT HAPPENS, I CAN UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WITH THE KEY BUT I CAN NOT OPEN THE OTHER THREE DOORS WITH THE BUTTON ON THE KEY, THE BUTTON ON THE DASH OR BY PULLING THE HANDLES. THE GAS LID DOES NOT UNLOCK EITHER. SOMETIMES JUST THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL OPEN WITH THE BUTTON ON THE KEY AND THEN - USUALLY - I CAN UNLOCK THE OTHER DOORS WITH THE HANDLES. SOMETIMES EVERYTHING WORKS FINE. THE TRUNK DOES NOT HAVE PROBLEMS UNLOCKING. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE GM5 MODULE HAS A COMMON FAILURE THAT CAUSES THESE ISSUES. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 25, 2009102,000 milesNM

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE: DRIVE WILL NOT OPERATE IN REVERSE. CAN RESULT IN CARS STALLED IN INTERSECTION, BLOCKING TRAFFIC, WITHOUT CAPABILITY TO AVOID COLLISION BY BACKING UP. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 11, 2009101,000 milesCA

THE CONNECTORS ON THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE THEY ARE BURNT AND SHORTED AND WIRE IS BURNT. IN SAME LOCATION. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE CONNECTOR, THE BURNT WIRE, AND THE TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY ON BOTH SIDES. ITS THE SAME WIRE (BROWN #4 I BELIEVE). *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Aug 18, 2009101,800 milesNM

THE AUTOMATIC POWER DOOR LOCKS ON A BMW 3-SERIES (E46) ARE KNOWN TO RANDOMLY FAIL, RESULTING IN IT BECOMING IMPOSSIBLE FOR ANY OCCUPANTS TO GET OUT OF A VEHICLE. THIS IS APPARENTLY DUE TO A FAULTY GM5 RELAY (GENERAL MODULE #5) SUPPLIED AS AN OEM COMPONENT IN THE VEHICLE BY BMW (SEE HTTP://HTTP://WWW.BMWGM5.COM/). FAILURE OCCURS ABOUT 1 OUT OF 3 ATTEMPTS TO UNLOCK THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS. IT IS KNOWN THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GM5 RELAY SOLVES THE PROBLEM. SOMEONE EVENTUALLY WILL BE BURNED ALIVE DUE TO THIS FAULTY COMPONENT. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 20, 2009133,249 milesMA

2001 325I BMW WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE GEAR. *TR

Air Bags › Side/Window
Filed Jan 5, 200963,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR CRASH TO TRIGGER THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. HE REFUSED TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT MAY HAVE BEEN A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS THAT WERE IDENTICAL TO HIS FAILURE AND TYPE OF VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 2, 2009100,000 milesNY

BMW HAS RECALLED SOME MODELS AND YEARS IN NORTH AMERICA TO FIX A POSSIBLE DEFECT THAT MAY KEEP THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG FROM OPENING IN A CRASH. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE NOT RECALLED MY 2001 325 I. , ( ) MY WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND THEY CAN NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY. I HAVE MADE REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO REQUEST A GUARANTEE THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY IN A CRASH REGARDLESS IF THERE IS A PASSENGER OR NOT. I WOULD JUST LIKE SOME TYPE OF GUARANTEE THAT THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY IN ALL CASES. THE CURRENT RECALL CONCERNS THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG SEAT SENSOR MAT IN CERTAIN 2004-2006 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. SINCE I HAVE A 2001, THEY ARE NOT RESPONDING TO ME. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND I DO NOT HAVE 700 OR 800 DOLLARS TO JUST REPLACE A MAT WITHOUT A GUARANTEE THAT THE AIRBAG ITSELF IS FUNCTIONING. MY FIRST ATTEMPT TO NOTIFY BMW WAS IN JUNE OF 2008. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM COMPETITION BMW IN JUNE OF 2001AT 599 EAST JERICHO TURNPIKE SMITHTOWN NEW YORK 11787. I HAVE SERVICED MY VEHICLE THERE FOR THE LAST 8 YEARS. I AM VERY DISGUSTED THAT THE DEALER HAS JUST IGNORED MY CONCERNS. MY SON WILL BE DRIVING THIS CAR SHORTLY AND HE WILL BE TRANSPORTING OTHER STUDENTS IN A CARPOOL TO SCHOOL. HE ATTENDS ST. ANTHONY'S HIGH SCHOOL IN HUNTINGTON AND IT IS A 25 MILE DRIVE EACH WAY TO SCHOOL. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW I SHOULD APPROACH THE DEALER OR BMW TO FIX THIS SAFELY ISSUE FOR ME. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL CUSTOMER FOR YEARS NOW. I HAVE ALWAYS USED THE SAME DEALER FOR SERVICE O

WheelsCrash2 injured
Filed Nov 28, 200833,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH, WHICH HE BELIEVED WAS DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS WOBBLING AND HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A CONCRETE DIVIDER. THE OTHER OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND WHIPLASH. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE CRASH. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. HE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 33,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 29, 2008NJ

1. I WAS DECELERATING AND BRAKING, COMING TO A NEAR STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, WITH MY FOOT ONLY ON THE BRAKE. MY CAR, 2001 BMW 325I, SUDDENLY STARTED ACCELERATING WHILE MY FOOT WAS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. IT LURCHED FORWARDS OVERRIDING THE BRAKES UNTIL I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO PARK. I BUMPED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR THEN REVVED DOWN AND WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN NORMALLY AFTERWARDS. 2. FIRST TIME 3. HAVEN'T HAD IT IN FOR INSPECTION YET. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 10, 200893,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. WHEN THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE WORKING. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, THE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS LEARNED OF MULTIPLE ISSUES REGARDING BMW BRAKE LIGHTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 13, 200898,000 milesMO

I JUST READ THAT YOUR AGENCY HAVE ASKED BMW TO RECALL 2006 3 SERIES FOR A DEFECT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR. I CURRENTLY HAVE A 2001, BMW 325I. AND MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR IS NOT WORKING, AND LAST YEAR WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THIS LATEST OCCURRENCE HAPPENED AFTER MY 12 YEAR OLD NEPHEW MOVED THE SEAT. THE SENSOR WARNING LIGHT IS ON IN THE DASHBOARD. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 2, 200864,000 milesWA

MY 2001 BMW 325I LOST REVERSE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY THIS PAST NOVEMBER. THE CAR HAD 64,000 MILES ON IT AND IS IN PERFECT CONDITION. BMW NORTHWEST WANTED TO $5,200 ORIGINALLY TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT I WAS ABLE TO TALK THEM DOWN TO 4,000. EITHER WAY THIS WAS A BMW PROBLEM NOT A CONSUMER PROBLEM AND BMW SHOULD HAVE PAID TO HAVE THIS FIXED. VERY FRUSTRATING EXPERIENCE AND I WOULD LOVE TO BE COMPENSATED FOR MY DUMB INVESTMENT OF A BMW 325I. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module
Filed Apr 6, 2008TX

I AM WRITING YOU REGARDING AN EVENT THAT OCCURRED WITH MY DAUGHTER'S 2001 BMW 325I. HER CAR HAS ABOUT 118,000 MILES ON IT. RECENTLY IT DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK SO MY WIFE TRADED CARS WITH HER ONE EVENING ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO AND WE TOOK THE CAR TO OUR FAVORITE MECHANIC. I DISCUSSED THE SERVICES WE THOUGHT WERE NECESSARY WITH THE CAR WITH THE MECHANIC ' AN OIL LEAK, SOME INTERMITTENT MIS-FIRING AND ALSO THAT MY DAUGHTER HAD TOLD ME THAT RECENTLY SOMETIMES THE BRAKES WOULD COME ON WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. I HAD ASKED HER WHAT SHE MEANT AND SHE SAID 'THE BRAKES WOULD GRAB WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING AND THAT IT MADE IT HARD TO STEER'. THE MECHANIC ASKED IF I THOUGHT SHE WAS INADVERTENTLY TAPPING THE BRAKES. I TOLD HIM NO, SHE WAS VERY CLEAR ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. THE MECHANIC FOUND A LEAKING HEAD COVER GASKET AND CRANK SEAL THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE REPAIRS WERE ACCOMPLISHED FOR THESE ITEMS FIRST. THEN THE TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE THE CAR TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE BRAKES. HE RELATED TO ME THAT AT 60 MPH THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE GRABBED AND THEN RELEASED AS THE ABS SYSTEM TOOK OVER. THE CAR SWERVED DRASTICALLY TO THE LEFT AND THE TECHNICIAN ALMOST STRUCK THE CONCRETE BARRIER WALL ALONGSIDE AS HE CORRECTED THE STEERING. HE TOLD ME HAD NOT EXPECTED SUCH A DRAMATIC LOSS OF CONTROL AND HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED NOR HEARD OF ANOTHER CAR BEHAVING IN THIS MANNER. OUR MECHANIC AND HIS TECHNICIAN WENT THROUGH A NUMBER OF DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES WHICH LED TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE YAW AND STEERING W

Child Seat › Tether › Strap/Webbing
Filed Nov 2, 2007OR

THE STRAP ON THE CAR SEAT THAT TIGHTENS THE HARNESS IS FRAYING VERY QUICKLY. OVER HALF OF THE STRAP IS FRAYED. WE HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR SEAT FOR 9 MONTHS. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2001, MAKE=BMW, MODEL=325I). *TR

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jul 12, 200773,784 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. DURING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PREVIOUSLY HEARD A POPPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 73,784.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jun 6, 200746,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY BEGAN TO BRAKE. THE TRAVEL SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE DSC/ADB LIGHTS (AUTOMATIC DIFFERENTIAL BRAKING) WERE THE ONLY WARNING INDICATORS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS SINCE TURNED OFF THE DSC/ADB LIGHTS. THE ENGINE SIZE, PURCHASE DATE, AND CORRECT VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,000.

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed May 23, 2007AL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE WINDOWS HAVE FAILED AND WERE REPLACED ON SIX OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONLY WARNING INDICATOR WAS THAT THE WINDOWS WOULD ROLL UP AND DOWN VERY SLOWLY. THE SECOND ISSUE IS THAT THE WINDOW GOES INTO THE DOORFRAME DURING THE FAILURE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND TRANSMISSION TYPE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 77,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jan 15, 2007CA

A TOTAL OF MORE THAN 10 WINDOWS REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED ON THE CAR (ALL WINDOW SIDES AT LEAST 2 EACH). THIS IS ON A CAR WITH < 60000 MILES. I HAVE SPENT >1000 DOLLARS REPLACING THESE REGULATORS AND EVEN THE DEALERS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE REGULATORS FAIL OFTEN. *JB

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Dec 4, 200660,000 milesCA

POWER WINDOW MOTORS HAVE FAILED IN BOTH FRONT WINDOWS + RIGHT REAR, ALTHOUGH THESE WINDOWS ARE SELDOM USED. *NM

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2001 BMW 325i → · Every 325i year → · How the figures are calculated →