Model year record

2001 BMW 325IT recalls & problems

The 2001 BMW 325IT has 4 safety recalls and 4 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (3 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints4filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

1 recall for this model year carries an NHTSA do not drive advisory. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Safety recalls

Air bagsJan 15, 2020

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 20V018000292,948 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

NHTSA advisory: do not drive affected vehicles until repaired.

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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 bagsNov 26, 2019

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 19V85300074,185 vehicles

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.
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.
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 coolingMay 16, 2002

Cooling system › Fan

Recall 02V1380001,550 vehicles

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.
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.
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 coolingJun 21, 2001

Cooling system › Fan

Recall 01V20600076,469 vehicles

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.
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.
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.

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 area	Complaints	Typical mileage*
SuspensionRear; Front › Control arm	3	33,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly	1	—
SteeringLinkages › Arm › Idler and attachment	1	—
Air bags	1	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Air 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
Sep 15, 2014 · 120,000 miles
Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil 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
Apr 27, 2006 · 48,000 miles
Steering › Linkages › Arm › Idler and attachment
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…
Mar 18, 2006 · 33,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
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
Feb 1, 2006 · 29,223 miles

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