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2001 BMW 328iProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 4 owner complaints about the 2001 BMW 328i, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-853 the manufacturer reports only 9% of affected cars repaired.

2001 BMW 328i
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Lowest repair rate 9%Owner complaints40 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem2Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 27, 2021. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 BMW 328i has problems

4 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling20
Power train10
Tires10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2001 BMW 328i 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.

42%repaired · 2023 Q2

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 21V-401 · May 27, 2021 · 4,511 vehicles · 1,882 repaired

Risk. The inflator could explode during air bag deployment, resulting in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

42%repaired · 2021 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 20V-018 · Jan 15, 2020 · 292,948 vehicles · 123,637 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

9%repaired · 2022 Q3

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 19V-853 · Nov 26, 2019 · 74,185 vehicles · 6,905 repaired

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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.

Best & worst years

2001 vs. every other 328i 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 328i median. How we score

'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What 328i owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

AMBIENT TEMP WAS 75 DEGREES. TRAFFIC WAS STOP AND GO. STEAM WAS STREAMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND LOW COOLANT LINE ILLUMINATED. *AK
Complaint 749038 · Jul 24, 2001
VEHICLE OVERHEATED WHILE SEATING IN TRAFFIC AT A RED LIGHT, WITH THE A/C ON. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN RUNNING FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES. THE CAR WAS EXACTLY ONE MONTH OLD WHEN THIS OCCURED.*AK
Complaint 748175 · Jul 9, 2001

Own a 2001 328i?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.