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2001 BMW 328I problems

The most common problem on the 2001 BMW 328I is engine and cooling. It has fewer complaints than a typical 328I model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
94/100
Owner complaints
4
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
4
Worst area
Engine

The worst 2001 BMW 328I problems

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

  • Engine
    2
  • Tires
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Problems by type

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

  • Engine
    2
  • Tires
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Recalls 3

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

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported January 15, 2020 · 292,948 vehicles affected
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 moduleReported November 26, 2019 · 74,185 vehicles affected
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

See all 3 recalls for the 2001 BMW 328I

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 BMW 328I 4

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

What 2001 BMW 328I owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 31, 2003 · Transmission · 36,230 miles · CA

Rear differential failure at 33k miles while traveling at 65mph, causing loss of control and near accident with other vehicles. Bmwna states no liability for incident and ignores the factory warranty on a 2000 module year 3 series. I was required to pay for all damages and new parts. I have the original differential showing the shattered pinion gear. I was lucky someone else might kill someone on the road because bmw refuses to accept a problem.

Filed Jul 30, 2001 · Tires · NJ

While driving, tire blewup and the whole outer wall of the tire fell apart at its entire circumference. The car became difficult to control and luckily we prevented a major crash due to it.*ak (dot number: lmujp5b7 tiresize: 245/40zr17)

Filed Jul 24, 2001 · Engine · NH

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.

Filed Jul 9, 2001 · Engine · TX

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.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2001 BMW 328I before you buy

Compare the 2001 BMW 328I

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2001 BMW 328I

Is the 2001 BMW 328I reliable?

Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2001 BMW 328I, fewer than a typical 328I model year.

What is the 2001 BMW 328I year score?

The 2001 BMW 328I scores 94 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 328I: 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 328I?

Engine and cooling, with 2 complaints. Next is tires (1).

How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 328I have?

3 recalls, covering air bags.

What year does the BMW 328I have bad engine?

The BMW 328I model years with the most engine complaints are 2011 (365 complaints), 2013 (134 complaints) and 2007 (100 complaints).

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