Tl* the contact owns a 2001 bmw m3. While the vehicle was being serviced by an independent mechanic, the contact was informed of a severe crack in the subframe that supported the rear wheels and suspension. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.
The worst 2001 BMW M3 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Body4
- Transmission4
- Engine3
- Suspension3
- Airbags1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Body4
- Transmission4
- Engine3
- Suspension3
- Airbags1
- Brakes1
- Locks1
- Visibility1
- Wheels1
Recalls 4
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
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
Recall number 14V428000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 BMW 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323Ci, 325Ci, 330Ci, M3, 323iT, 325iT and 325xiT vehicles, 2001-2002 525i, 530i, 540i, M5, 525iT and 540iT vehicles, and 2001-2003 X5 3.0i, X5 4.4i, and X5 4.6is vehicles. These vehicles may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. These replacement modules contain an air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 17V047000 · Recall details
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The two screws that secure the parking brake cable mounting bracket to the backing plate were not tightened properly. As a result, the screws could loosen and eventually fall into the parking brake drum.
- Risk
- If this were to happen, the cable mounting bracket would no longer be fixed to the backing plate and the parking brake could no longer be applied on that side of the vehicle. It is also possible that a screw could lodge within the parking brake drum, impairing the free movement of the drum. This would produce noise, and could cause the parking brake on that side to lock up while driving.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the parking brake cable attaching screws and secure them with the proper torque. Owner notification began october 4, 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 01V245000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2001 BMW M3 23
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop
- Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may...
- 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...
- Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles
- In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has...
2001 BMW M3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6‑cyl | RWD | 15 | 22 | 17 |
What 2001 BMW M3 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Inspection by two mechanics shows cracks in the subframe holding the back wheels. There was a legal case involving this defect that was settled by bmw which was to fix the problem and notify all owners of 3 series bmw's about the defect so it could be fixed. They never informed me of defect and have staled on the repair.
Passenger door cannot be opened either from insider or outside. Appears like the door is double locked. Luckily both doors are not double locked with passenger inside the vehicle. Possible failure of lock actuator without warning or failure of gm5 module
Normal driving has weakened the sub-frame to the point where it has cracked and separated from the chassis.
Left rear suspension spring broke with only about 50k miles. Resulted in noise, poor suspension control over bumps. Repair shop is replacing with a new one.
Automatic dimming rear view mirror developed a "bubble," which itself impeded rear view vision, and stopped dimming effectively, making night time driving difficult and dangerous.
My m3 cic makes a loud grinding/clatter type noise when disengaging the 6-speed manual clutch in both 1st and reverse. This happens when the car is moving at about 1-2 MPH. Bmw tech's say this is normal operation, however, I can't duplicate the same problem on a new m3 w/6 speed transmission.
While driving vehicle grazed the curb and the driver's side air bag deployed. As a result, driver's visibility was impaired, and vehicle crashed into a cement wall. No injuries reported.
The engine of the bmw 2001 m3 had serious engine failures. The request from the bmw dealership on explaination was rejected, nor was there any explaination from the consumer relations of bmw na. The failure was convered under warranty but I was told my vehicle was the only abnormal car in thousands that were sold. From my research there were more than 100 documented cases of the new e46 m3 engine having problems ranging from crankshaft failure to full engine detonation and oil spillage. Bmw should be required to compensate owners of a $60k car in the decrease in value of the car and also have extended warranty for ongoing problems (there are complaints that new "replaced" engines also experienced the same problems). There is a very high chance a deadly accident could occur if I did not notice the problem early, ranging from oil spills to fire. Bmw is neglecting the owners of this vehicle by not notifying them when first signs of problems occur. Ironically bmw does know there is a problem because they have replaced all the parts in the new engine while keeping quiet to current consumers, also mechanics have been told to replace parts while working in the area of the engine w/o telling consumers. Mechanics at the bmw dealership has had my vehicle for over a month, with no visible signs of progress.
Consumer called complaining about having problem with the vehicle stalling while driving the vehicle . Dealer has been notified. Mr. Athary please provide the potential failure of the engine on this vehicle. Ts
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Questions about the 2001 BMW M3
Is the 2001 BMW M3 reliable?
Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 2001 BMW M3, close to a typical M3 model year.
What is the 2001 BMW M3 year score?
The 2001 BMW M3 scores 70 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW M3: 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 M3?
Body and structure, with 4 complaints. Next is transmission (4).
How many recalls does the 2001 BMW M3 have?
4 recalls, covering air bags and parking brake.
What gas mileage does the 2001 BMW M3 get?
Official estimates for the 2001 BMW M3 range from 17 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.2L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 15 city and 22 highway.
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