The 2001 BMW 325i has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,021,073 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 196 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 6, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS20V0180002020-01-15292,948 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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.
AIR BAGS19V8530002019-11-2674,185 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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.
AIR BAGS14V4280002018-06-11574,007 affected
Defect
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,…
Consequence
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,…
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING02V1380002002-05-161,550 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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…
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING01V2060002001-06-2176,469 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
WHEELS00V3830002000-11-201,914 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE MACHINE USED TO MOUNT AND INFLATE THE TIRES ON THE WHEELS AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT MAY HAVE DAMAGED THE INNER RIM FLANGE OF THE WHEELS.
Consequence
THIS COULD LEAD TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR FROM THE TIRE AFFECTING HANDLING AND VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FIVE WHEELS FOR POSSIBLE DAMAGE. IF DAMAGE FROM THE MOUNTING MACHINE IS FOUND ON ANY WHEEL, ALL FIVE WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
33
3crashes1fires8injuries
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
20
3fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
17
1crashes1injuries
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
10
3injuries
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
10
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
8
3injuries1deaths
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
7
1fires
ENGINE
6
2fires
POWER TRAIN
5
1crashes1injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
5
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints196
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Steering wheel angle sensor internal abc-dsc issues, yellow light is on.. Is there a recall for this issue!? Also front door passenger side air bag is not working, I have used obd reader to confirm all the above...”
“Steering wheel angle sensor internal abc-dsc issues, yellow light is on.. Is there a recall for this issue!? Also front door passenger side air bag is not working, I have used obd reader to confirm all the above...”
“The contact owns a 2001 bmw 325i. The contact received notifications of nhtsa campaign numbers: 20v018000 (air bags) and 17v047000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact called another local dealer ferman bmw…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“I am having a major electrical short in my trunk area affecting my critical tail lights functionalities and common trunk function. I cannot use my turning signals or brake lights or lights in general when driving my vehicle from the rear my lights are not operable. This is a huge safety concern…”
“I am having a major electrical short in my trunk area affecting my critical tail lights functionalities and common trunk function. I cannot use my turning signals or brake lights or lights in general when driving my vehicle from the rear my lights are not operable. This is a huge safety concern…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2001 BMW 325i as of
July 6, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.