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2001 BMW 325I engine problems

23 complaints (15% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 98,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
23
of this car's complaints
15%
typical mileage
98,000
crashes
1
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • Cooling system: fan
    7
  • Cooling system
    3
  • Engine: gasoline
    2
  • Engine
    2
  • Exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
    1
  • Exhaust system
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

BMW 325I engine problems in other years

19921993199419952001200220032004200520062008

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 BMW 325I engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Overheating 7Stalling 6

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fanReported May 16, 2002 · 1,550 vehicles affected
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: fanReported June 21, 2001 · 76,469 vehicles affected
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

What 2001 BMW 325I owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 20, 2024 · Airbags, Engine · 195,000 miles · CA

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 not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 195,000.

Filed Aug 31, 2022 · Engine · 188,000 miles · NC · fire

The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325i. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked overnight and off, the vehicle caught on fire. The contact was alerted by her father that the vehicle was on fire. There were no occupants at the time of the fire. The entire front end of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department was called to the scene. It was unknown if there was a fire report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The father of the contact had a truck parked in front and due to the flames of the vehicle fire, it melted the front of the parked vehicle causing damage. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not driveable after the fire. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 188,000.

Filed Aug 11, 2019 · Brakes, Engine · 98,000 miles · GA

Ever since I've had the car I have had overheating problems after replacing the water pump all the hoses HVAC hoses under the manifold the car still wants to overheat I've been in traffic I've had this problem having a I'm cars behind me and my temperature gauge going to age and I can't crank the car because I don't want to ruin the motor I've had to let the car cool be late for jobs work and other things appointments are the car cool down and I've had to add coolant in it at $20 a piece by the coolant runs right back out

Filed Apr 13, 2018 · Engine · LA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 bmw 325i. While driving 45 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact pulled over to a safe area and inspected the vehicle. The contact noticed that the cooling fan failed and the vehicle overheated. The vehicle was able to restart after numerous attempts, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then to brian harris bmw (12336 airline hwy, baton rouge, la 70817, (225) 754-1200). The dealer stated that there were no recalls for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed May 15, 2015 · Engine · MO

Oil leak at the valve cover potentially caused by bolts being over-torqued as assembly.

Filed Dec 11, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · NY

I am horrified. I have 135k miles on my 2001 bmw 325i and it will no longer reverse. I took it into the transmission guy and he told me it would cost $4k to repair. The car has been in very good shape, with barely any problem. He also sent me to a website where apparently many others have had the same transmission problem. Apparently there is a well known failure esp with the 2001 model 3-series. I believe a class action lawsuit or recall should be brought against bmw.

Filed Apr 13, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · NY

Purchased the car used, in january 2011, with approximately 110,000 miles. Vehicle had several stored engine codes, po0300,171,174,1345,1351,1353; mostly relating to oxygen sensors and the maf. All engine hoses, the maf, all 4 oxygen sensors and the ignition coil packs were replaced by a certified mechanic. Within 2 months of normal driving, all codes had returned. Mechanic is unable to determine the points of failure for these issues and bmw denies any existing problem the passenger side airbag light, turns on and off, randomly, whether someone is sitting there, or not. Failure of the sensor could cause the ab not to deploy during an accident, causing serious, if not fatal, injury. Bmw is aware of the issue, does not replace/repair. Door lock/window/windshield wiper control module, known as gm5, fails randomly and often. It has failed several times, while I was in the car. Since it disables the door locks and windows, I was trapped in my car for several minutes. Thankfully, I had the window rolled down far enough to pass my keys to someone on the outside, so they could unlock the door. In an accident, passengers could be stuck, keeping emergency workers from giving them medical attention, in a timely fashion. Bmw is fully aware of the problem, but denies it's existence. I also receive random exterior light out warnings, on the dash. Usually, it's both taillights, but more frequently, it is the driver side light sensor, that fails, though the light is actually working, just fine.

Filed Mar 8, 2011 · Engine · SC

2001 bmw 325i. Attorney writes on behalf of clients regarding vehicle recall repairs *tgw when the vehicle reached 140,000 miles it began running unusually loud while driving 45 MPH. In addition, the vehicle began making an intermittent beeping sound. According to an invoice, the previous owner had the vehicle inspected, but the repairs were declined. The consumer would like to exercise his right to have the recall remedied due to the vehicle potentially catching on fire. Recall numbers 01v206000 and 02v138000 were mentioned in the letter. *jb updated 05/12/11.

Filed Apr 5, 2010 · Engine · 140,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 bmw 325i. While driving at 45 MPH, the fans began running unusually loud. The contact stated that the engine was also extremely loud. The vehicle would also make a beeping sound intermittently. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The failure mileage was 140,000 and the current mileage was 160,000.

Filed Nov 14, 2004 · Electrical, Engine · 54,500 miles · CA

I have a 2001 bmw 2.5 automatic with about 55k miles. The service engine soon light came on around 12k and the dealer replace the coil. It came on again several time later over the course of 2 years for few days. Every time by the time I took the car to the dealer, the ses disappeared and dealer can't find any thing wrong. However, I notice that when the light is on, the engine run rough and acceleration is slow. My car is out of warranty now at 55k and the light is on for the last few days. Also, bmw is famous for problem with the windows regulator. Dealer replaces three of the four windows regulators on three doors during warranty but now the fourth one has failed. What this means is that now all the windows regulator on all the four doors has failed. Please have bmw recalled the issue with ignition coil and fix the windows regulator. Thank you very much

Questions about the 2001 BMW 325I engine

Does the 2001 BMW 325I have engine problems?

Owners have filed 23 complaints about the engine of the 2001 BMW 325I, 15% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2001 BMW 325I engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 98,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2001 BMW 325I engine?

Yes, 2 recalls: 02V138000, 01V206000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the BMW 325I have bad engine?

The BMW 325I model years with the most engine complaints are 2006 (77 complaints), 2001 (23 complaints) and 2003 (16 complaints).

Other 2001 BMW 325I problems

Airbags 46Lights 23Electrical 18Visibility 13Transmission 12Brakes 8Body 6Acceleration 5Locks 5Steering 4Tires 4Seats 3Driver assistance 2Fuel system 2Wheels 2Suspension 1

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