Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2001 BMW 3 Series, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags8
- Exterior lighting8
- Electrical system6
- Fuel system, gasoline4
- Suspension3
- Power train3
- Wheels3
- Structure2
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Tires2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Engines
The most common engines in 2001 BMW 3 Series cars on Dutch roads are the 2.2 petrol (125 kW, 168 hp), 3.0 petrol (170 kW, 228 hp) and 2.5 petrol (141 kW, 189 hp), out of 11 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.2 petrol | 125 kW 168 hp | 734 |
| 3.0 petrol | 170 kW 228 hp | 713 |
| 2.5 petrol | 141 kW 189 hp | 510 |
| 1.9 petrol | 77 kW 103 hp | 344 |
| 1.9 petrol | 87 kW 117 hp | 338 |
| 1.8 petrol | 85 kW 114 hp | 194 |
| 2.0 petrol | 105 kW 141 hp | 66 |
| 2.0 diesel | 100 kW 134 hp | 39 |
| 2.9 diesel | 135 kW 181 hp | 36 |
| 2.5 petrol | 125 kW 168 hp | 35 |
| 2.2 petrol | 120 kW 161 hp | 33 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
3,114 first registered in 2001 are on Dutch roads; 34% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €50,742.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen2,134
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect1,338
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde1,280
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld691
- Band onvoldoende profiel684
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm546
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt498
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm471
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
3,650 cars built in 2001 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 7,687 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 6,143 of these cars first registered in 2001 took their annual MOT test. 63% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2001 the figure was 59%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2001 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 14.2% | 19.3% |
| Brakes | 13.3% | 13.4% |
| Suspension | 12.4% | 15.4% |
| Visibility | 6.5% | 7.6% |
| Tyres | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.0% | 6.8% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
779 of these cars first registered in 2001 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 288,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
1,048 2001 cars are on the New Zealand register; 71% arrived as used imports, 24% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
7 Transport Canada recalls for the 2001 BMW 3 Series.
| 2020009 15 Jan 2020 | Airbag Issue: This recall is for certain vehicles that had an airbag inflator replaced as a part of an earlier recall campaign. This recall provides a final repair. … |
| 2019599 26 Nov 2019 | Airbag Issue: On certain cars, exposure to moisture over time could cause the driver-front airbag not to inflate properly in a crash. In some cases, this could cause… |
| 2017034 20 Jan 2017 | Airbag Issue: 2023 Update - BMW has updated this recall and issued a do not drive advisory for all vehicles that that not yet been repaired. This recall is for… |
| 2014299 16 Jul 2014 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the passenger (frontal) airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause t… |
| 2001250 17 Oct 2001 | Brakes Certain M3 vehicles that were manufactured from October 2000 to May 02, 2001. The two screws that secure the parking brake cable-mounting bracket to the backing… |
| 2001182 9 Jul 2001 | Engine Certain passenger vehicles. The engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cau… |
| 2000278 28 Nov 2000 | Suspension On certain 325I and 330I vehicles, the inner rim flange of the wheel rims may have incurred damage during fitting of the tire. In extreme cases, this could lea… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 2001 BMW 3 Series: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 621535 | SUBJECT REGARDING NEW VEHICLE PREPARATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS. *TT |
| 618601 | SUBJECT REGARDING NEW VEHICLE PREPARATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS. *TT |
| 10249437 | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| 10056098 | BMW: SOME AIRBAGS, DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER, ARE IMPROPERLY DEPLOYING DUE TO A POSSIBLE INFLATOR NOT PRODUCED TO SPECIFICATIONS. MODEL 2001-2006 E46 (3 SERIES). *PE UPDATED 9/4/14. *PE |
| 10051519 | BMW: THE HIGH-VOLTAGE (HV) BATTERY CELLS COULD BE DAMAGED IF THE VEHICLE IS PREVENTED FROM ENTERING SLEEP MODE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. UPDATED 03/11/2013 *JS |
| 10051459 | BMW: DSC WARNING LIGHT IS ON. THE WARNING LAMPS FOR DSC, ABS AND BRAKE WARNING ILLUMINATED. THERE MAY ALSO BE A WARNING IN THE CONTROL DISPLAY FOR CHASSIS CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE. *JS |
| 10051359 | BMW: VEHICLE DOES NOT START: LOOSE GROUND Z6000 *4B. COVERED UNDER THE TERMS OF THE BMW NEW VEHICLE/SAV LIMITED WARRANTY. *JS |
| 10044032 | BMW: THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR LIGHT IN THE SIDE PANEL HAS CONDENSATION CONCERNING VEHICLES PRODUCED UP TO FEBRUARY 27,2012. *JS |
| 10041411 | BMW: E92. THE SEAT BELT EXTENDER ON THE FRONT DRIVERS OR PASSENGER SIDE FAILED TO DELIVER THE BELT. THE SAFETY BELT EXTENDER EXTENDS BUT THE BELT SLIPS OFF. THE HAND ON THE EXTENDER FAILS. THE SAFETY BELT IS TWISTED. THE EXTENDER WILL NOT OPERATE AND MAKES NOISE WHILE EXTENDING. *RM |
| 10040852 | BMW: THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. THERE ARE TROUBLE CODES STORED FOR THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. NO DRIVEABILITY ISSUES. *RM |
| 10040736 | BMW: VARIOUS FUNCTIONS IN THE VEHICLE ARE NOT WORKING INCLUDING: INSTRUMENTS, DOOR LOCKS, WIPERS, AND OTHER ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS. THERE MAY ALSO BE WARNING LIGHTS ON. K-CAN WIRING IN THE VEHICLE SHORTED. *RM UPDATED 10/5/11. *PE |
| 10040170 | BMW: A SOFTWARE ERROR IS CAUSING THE THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TO COME ON. THERE WILL BE STORED TROUBLE CODES. *RM |
| 10040057 | BMW: WIRING ON THE HEADLIGHTS MAY HAVE DETERIORATED DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND THE COVER NOT BEING SECURED PROPERLY. E60/E92. *RM UPDATED 9/30/11. *PE |
| 10040050 | BMW: THE END OF THE SEATBELT ASSISTANT BREAKS/FALLS OFF WHEN RETRACTING. THE RETAINING TAB IS NOT ROBUST ENOUGH. E92. *RM |
| 10040049 | BMW: A SOFTWARE PROBLEM IS CAUSING ONE OR BOTH OF THE SEAT BELT ASSISTANTS TO NOT EXTEND FULLY OR MAY NOT EXTEND AT ALL. THE POSITION AT WHICH THE ASSISTANT COMES TO REST VARIES. E92. *RM |
| 10037079 | BMW: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE ENGINE CRANKS WITH NO START. *RM UPDATED 5/19/15. *PE |
| 10037078 | BMW: THE AIRBAG WARNING LAMP IS ILLUMINATED DUE TO A SOFTWARE ERROR. *RM |
| 10037025 | BMW: PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING AND REPLACING INCANDESCENT AND HALOGEN LIGHT BULBS UNDER WARRANTY. *RM |
| 10037010 | BMW: SIX DIFFERENT MODELS EQUIPPED WITH THE M54 ENGINE COULD HAVE VALVE COVERS BREAK IN COLD WEATHER AND RUIN THE ENGINE. THIS IS DUE TO MOISTURE ACCUMULATION. *RM |
| 10036985 | BMW: A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON. THE ENGINE WILL ONLY OPERATE TO 1500 RPMS AND LACKS POWER. THERE IS A SOFTWARE APPLICATION ERROR. *RM |
| 10036984 | BMW: IT IS NOW POSSIBLE TO PERFORM A FUEL QUALITY DETECTION TEST ON VEHICLES WITH AN N54 ENGINE. *RM |
| 10036983 | BMW: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON WITH DIESEL ENGINES. *RM |
| 10036982 | BMW: THERE IS A ROUGH ENGINE IDLE AND "SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT" WHEN DRIVING DOWNHILL IN HIGH ALTITUDES DURING COLD WEATHER. THERE MAY BE SIX DIFFERENT FAULT CODES. *RM |
| 10036981 | BMW: WARNING MESSAGE ON ABOUT LOW DIESEL EXHAUST FUEL LEVEL AND THAT THE ENGINE WILL NOT RESTART WITHIN 999 MILES. THE LIGHT COMES ON A FEW THOUSAND MILES EARLIER THAN A RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE. *RM |
| 10036980 | BMW: A NEW TECHNICAL PROCESS IS BEING USED ON MANY MODELS TO DETERMINE THE ROOT CAUSE OF DOUBLE-CLUTCH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *RM |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
INADVERTENT SIDE-IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYME
INADVERTENT SIDE-IMPACT AIR BAG
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation