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Model year record

2001 BMW 3 Series recalls & problems

The 2001 BMW 3 Series has 1 safety recall and 36 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (8 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints36filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bagsMay 27, 2021

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 21V4010004,511 vehicles

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.
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.
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Air bagsSide/window8100102,100 mi
Exterior lighting800096,000 mi
Electrical systemIgnition600089,500 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump4000201,445 mi
Suspension300022,500 mi
Power train3000173,851 mi
Wheels3000119,200 mi
Tires2000—
StructureFrame and members2000—
Fuel/propulsion system2000—
Service brakes2000—
Electronic stability control (esc)2000—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations