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2001 BMW 3 Series problems

The most common problem on the 2001 BMW 3 Series is airbags. Its complaint count is close to a typical 3 Series model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
75/100
Owner complaints
36
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
50
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
19-21mpg

The worst 2001 BMW 3 Series problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    8
  • Lights
    8
  • Electrical
    6
  • Fuel system
    6
  • Suspension
    3

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    8
  • Lights
    8
  • Electrical
    6
  • Fuel system
    6
  • Suspension
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Wheels
    3
  • Body
    2
  • Brakes
    2
  • Driver assistance
    2
  • Tires
    2
  • Engine
    1
  • Locks
    1
  • Steering
    1

Recalls 1

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported May 27, 2021 · 4,511 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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 number 21V401000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2001 BMW 3 Series

Defect investigations

Inadvertent side-impact air bag deploymeOpened July 15, 2002, closed June 24, 2003

The subject vehicle's air bag electronic control module contains programmable logic for deploying the side-impact air bags.bmw revised the module several times over the span of the model years 1999 through 2002 (identified as mrs2.ca, mrs2.bb, mrs3, mrs3+ and mrs4).although model year 1999.5 vehicles with version mrs2.bb had 6.5% of the subject population, it accounted for 29% of the total reports received.the mrs2.bb exposure adjusted report rate was almost 4 times higher than other 3 series air bag module versions.in august 2002, bmw initiated a recall campaign for 20,500 model 323i and 328i vehicles with version mrs2.bb (the federal safety agency recall # 02v223000).in addition to experiencing a lower rate of non-crash deployments, most of the non-recalled vehicles also showed evidence of significant pothole/curb impact with some having additional undercarriage contact/scrape or suspension damage.see additional information

EA02012

Inadvertent side-impact air bagOpened January 31, 2002, closed July 15, 2002

PE02011

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 BMW 3 Series 50

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 50 bulletins for the 2001 BMW 3 Series

2001 BMW 3 Series fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.5L 6‑cylRWD17-1824-2719-21
3.0L 6‑cylRWD16-1724-2619-20
2.5L 6‑cyl4WD1723-2419-20

What 2001 BMW 3 Series owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 17, 2018 · Tires · 117,000 miles · CA

Complete disintegration of of a hanook ventus s1 noble while traveling at approximately 30 MPH. Tire did not hit any obstacles, nor was the tire. Under or over inflated. Driven 17,000 miles before failure

Filed Aug 26, 2018 · Driver assistance, Steering · 116,700 miles · DC

While driving about 70 MPH in a straight line on the highway, the dynamic stability control light turned on and the car jerked and stuttered almost as if it was braking on its own or locking up. This occurred twice today and is a significant safety issue as it was unexpected and could have LED to a loss of control, while driving at a significant speed on the interstate. Bmw should have to do something about whatever is causing this problem.

Filed Dec 15, 2017 · Electrical · 68,000 miles · FL

Our 2001 e46 has electronic door locks which are failing. My wife has found herself locked inside the car, unable to open the door. The locks freeze, and cannot be manually unlocked, trapping the occupant in the car. There is no mechanical override to the system. The incident occurred when she turned the car off and tried to open the drivers door to exit the vehicle.

Filed Mar 27, 2017 · Airbags · TX

I took it to bmw dealer to fix the recall part--air bag module on may 01,2015, next day I went to pickup the car, they told me it is done. I had not look at the paper work. After the day before, I received final recall again, and then I look up the document, then I found out dealer had not change the air bag module for me. The paper type in " dealer is not authorized to perform recall repairs for non dealer brand vehicle"? I don't understand why??

Filed Jan 10, 2016 · Airbags, Suspension · 6 miles · CA

Was driving on hwy 99 getting ready to exit on jensen ave when I felt a bump then my driver curtain/ door airbag deployed. After further inspection I found damaged to the diver's rim and tire, brakes have been clicking ever since and suspension seems to be affected as well since car is been shaking and tilting to that side

Filed Nov 20, 2015 · Lights · MI

The rear parking light went out in my car, so I purchased more bulbs, but the bulb never worked. I took my car to my bmw dealership for the takata recall, they checked the light too and said that a part in the housing had burned all the way down . I recently checked on recalls, and found that there were problems with the housing that houses the brake and signal lights, beginning with 2002 models. My car is a 325i 2001, I feel that this year should be included in a recent recall, I researched online, and found that there are many 2001 bmw 325is with the same problem as the that recall. This could possibly cause an accident. I really think this should be included immediately.

Filed Jun 22, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 94,000 miles · MA

A recall has been issued for this problem for cars produced from 9/1/01 to 02/01/05. [recall campaign 11v‑438: repair ground cable for rear light lamps (side panel)]. ...updated 09/22/15 *bf I have the exact same problem although my car was produced approximately 14 months prior to the vehicles affected by the recall. Situation one or more of the following lights does not function in the rear lamp assembly, mounted on the rear quarter panel (rear parking light, rear turn signal, and rear brake light). Cause a poor ground connection at the rear lamp assembly (connectors x338 left side ? Pin # 2 and x339 right side ? Pin # 3) causes a malfunction of the rear tail lamps.

Filed Jun 2, 2015 · Airbags, Electrical · 85,000 miles · NM

Recalled passenger air bag was replaced by dealer last week, but the dashboard light indicates the passenger air bag is turned off. The dealer says this was an existing problem and refuses to fix without charging several hundred dollars to "diagnose." I maintain this is directly elated to the recalled air bag and should be fixed without charge.

Filed May 17, 2015 · Airbags · 152,711 miles · CA

I was driving down the road and out of no where the air bags go off. Engine immediately shut off and won't start again.

Filed Apr 8, 2015 · Driver assistance · GA

The "yaw sensor" fails in these cars, frequently causing a sudden braking on one side of the car and pulling the car in that direction. This is a real hazard: the car suddenly brakes by itself without warning. The problem is well described in these discussion forums: http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/archive/index.php/t-450191.html http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1022059-lateral-acceleration-sensor-failure the original sensors for this car were discontinued and the only replacement part available is four to five times the price of the original part -- over $1000. This has LED to a market in used sensors that are also in danger of failing. This is a real hazard.

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Questions about the 2001 BMW 3 Series

Is the 2001 BMW 3 Series reliable?

Owners have filed 36 complaints about the 2001 BMW 3 Series, close to a typical 3 Series model year.

What is the 2001 BMW 3 Series year score?

The 2001 BMW 3 Series scores 75 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 3 Series: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 BMW 3 Series?

Airbags, with 8 complaints. Next is lights (8).

How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 3 Series have?

1 recall, covering air bags.

Was there a recall on the 2001 BMW 3 Series airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 21V401000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the BMW 3 Series have bad airbags?

The BMW 3 Series model years with the most airbags complaints are 2006 (101 complaints), 2007 (35 complaints) and 2003 (21 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2001 BMW 3 Series get?

Official estimates for the 2001 BMW 3 Series range from 19 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 17-18 city and 24-27 highway.

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