repaired · 2021 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2001 BMW 325iProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 151 owner complaints about the 2001 BMW 325i, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-853 the manufacturer reports only 9% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 30, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2001 BMW 325i has problems
151 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
46Air bags12 crash/fire/injury
23Exterior lighting3 crash/fire/injury
18Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
17Engine and engine cooling2 crash/fire/injury
13Visibility
12Power train2 crash/fire/injury
6Structure
6Engine
5Latches/locks/linkages
3713 other systems7 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 46 | 12 |
| Exterior lighting | 23 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 18 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 17 | 2 |
| Visibility | 13 | 0 |
| Power train | 12 | 2 |
| Structure | 6 | 1 |
| Engine | 6 | 2 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 5 | 0 |
| 13 other systems | 37 | 7 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
6 recalls
2001 BMW 325i recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2022 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
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.
repaired · 2016 Q1
Air bags
Do not driveRisk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator…
no report yet
Cooling system: fan
Risk. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT.
Show 2 more recalls
no report yet
Cooling system: fan
Risk. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT.
no report yet
Wheels: rim
Risk. THIS COULD LEAD TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR FROM THE TIRE AFFECTING HANDLING AND VEHICLE CONTROL.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.
Mileage at failure
When do air bags problems start?
98kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 21 air bags complaints. 57% were reported before 100,000 miles.
2under 30k miles12under 100k miles9100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2001 vs. every other 325i year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 325i median. How we score
'92'93'94'95'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
In owners' words
What 325i owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Steering wheel angle sensor internal abc-dsc issues, yellow light is on.. Is there a recall for this issue!? Also front door passenger side air bag is not working, I have used OBD reader to confirm all the above...
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325I. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V018000 (Air Bags) and 17V047000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact called another local dealer Ferman BMW…
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325I. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was scanned using a hand-held diagnostic machine. The DTC code 02: Ignition Decay 1/Belt Tensioner Driver was retrieved. The vehicle was…
Own a 2001 325i?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.