Faulty dmtl now needs a third component at 49,000. Miles. Just replaced defective wiring harness in trunk that caused some lights to fail and burnt up a relay faulty design. Transmission cable gets stuck when shifting out of drive & n. Needs cable re aligned or replaced for the second time in 49,000. Miles very dangerous. Door lock actuator has failed .again. Some happen while driving others affect passengers saftey.
The worst 2001 BMW 325CI problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags13
- Engine8
- Body5
- Transmission5
- Electrical4
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags13
- Engine8
- Body5
- Transmission5
- Electrical4
- Fuel system4
- Lights4
- Driver assistance3
- Suspension3
- Brakes1
- Locks1
- Seats1
- Tires1
Recalls 5
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- 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
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 20V018000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 19V853000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 02V138000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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 number 01V206000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2001 BMW 325CI 16
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal...
- Service action
- Takata air bag recall-related short-term alternate transportation and consequential repairs
- Takata class action settlement. customer support program. front driver side airbag modules.
- For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?)...
- For the above-referenced vehicles with passenger?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW...
- In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has...
- Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles This Service Information bulletin supersedes...
- Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles
2001 BMW 325CI fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 6‑cyl | RWD | 17-18 | 25-27 | 20-21 |
What 2001 BMW 325CI owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Fuel tank strap brackets completely broken off at the weld points. Fuel tank hanging off bottom of car
Takata recall. I received a card in the mail from bmw of north america informing me that there was a recall on the airbag for my 2003 bmw x5. When we called the dealership in amarillo texas, autoplex bmw, we were told by the service manager kendra that we are welcome to buy new cars from them but they will no longer honor warranty or recall. Work for anyone with the last name (xxxx) or who is related to or affiliated with dr. (xxxxx). Is there any assistance you can give with this matter?3 the recall states that the inflator could cause serious injury or death if un resolved, does the bmw dealer have the right to refuse to perform the recall, jeprodizing my safety for whatever personal vendetta they have against dr. (xxxx), my son? (xxxx) parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
2001 bmw 325 ci. Consumer writes in regards to takata airbag safety recall. *ld the consumer was involved in an accident in which the air bag deployed and hit the consumer in the head causing brain injury and eye irritation. Prior to the accident the consumer paid out of pocket to have the air bag replaced due to the parts not being available for the recall. The passenger side was replaced. The driver's side was deemed to be a safe airbag. The consumer requested to be refunded the cost of replacing the airbag.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 bmw 325ci. While the vehicle was stationary, the air bag indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the air bag module needed replacement. A dealer was not contacted about the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v047000 (air bags). The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
I [xxx] and [xxx] were on a local back road in our town when my rear frame member on the driver side had snapped and pulled us into the oncoming side of the road into a large ditch where we took out a fence post and clipped a fiber optics line indicator post then into a colbert the airbags did not deploy on my front window post nor on my door the front driver steering wheel and passenger dash board airbags didn't deploy until after I [xxx] hit the steering wheel and after passenger [xxx] hit the dash board. After deployment the airbag module started sparking then caught on fire we both put out the fire before exiting the vehicle then patiently waited for the local mccomb ms police to arrive then we called the local wrecker service to pull our bmw from the ditch then had it hauled to the local wrecker yard for pickup at a later day for a fee for storage and initial tow. I do not know if the rear frame was due to a manufacturing flaw or due to a prior owner but that was what caused the accident. The airbags on the other hand did not deploy at the proper time causing us to become slightly injured but not hospitalized but most defiantly dazed and confused for the most part....I also have more pictures of the accident report. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2001 bmw 325ci. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v428000 (air bags). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact spoke to cerritos auto square (18827 studebaker rd, cerritos, ca 90703 and shelly bmw 6750 auto center dr, buena park, ca 90621) who stated that parts were not available and they would call back then they became available. The contact stated that the air bag indicator illuminated. The contact spoke to shelly bmw and cerritos auto square about the failure, but did not take the vehicle to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Passenger side gas strap come off randomly from underneath the car.
Gm5 module which controls door locks and windows. Intermittent failure prevents unlocking door locks or operating windows.
Driving down the road, the left front brake grabbed hard. The car veered into the oncoming traffic lane before the stability control failed (traction control and brake light came on) and I was able to recover. I tried restarting the car and it immediately did it again as soon as I was moving. To test, I drove around for 2 days with the stability control turned off (long press on dsc button) with no issues. I then left the stability control on and the issue occurred within 5 miles of careful driving. My diagnosis is the yaw sensor has failed. This is supported by other complaints on this site and similar occurrences listed in the bmw forums.
Compare the 2001 BMW 325CI
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Questions about the 2001 BMW 325CI
Is the 2001 BMW 325CI reliable?
Owners have filed 49 complaints about the 2001 BMW 325CI, 1.4 times a typical 325CI model year.
What is the 2001 BMW 325CI year score?
The 2001 BMW 325CI scores 55 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 325CI: 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 325CI?
Airbags, with 13 complaints, typically around 160,000 miles. Next is engine (8).
How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 325CI have?
5 recalls, covering air bags and engine and engine cooling.
Was there a recall on the 2001 BMW 325CI airbags?
Yes, 3 recalls: 21V401000, 20V018000, 19V853000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the BMW 325CI have bad airbags?
The BMW 325CI model years with the most airbags complaints are 2004 (41 complaints), 2002 (23 complaints) and 2006 (23 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2001 BMW 325CI get?
Official estimates for the 2001 BMW 325CI range from 20 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 17-18 city and 25-27 highway.
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