2001 BMW 325Ci Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

AIR BAGS

11 complaints

TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED A CARD IN THE MAIL FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA INFORMING ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG FOR MY 2003 BMW X5. WHEN WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP IN AMARILLO TEXAS, AUTOPLEX BMW, WE WERE TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER KENDRA THAT WE ARE WELCOME TO BUY NEW CARS FROM THEM BUT THEY WILL NO LONGER HONOR WARRANTY OR RECALL. WORK FOR ANYONE WITH THE LAST NAME (XXXX) OR WHO IS RELATED TO OR AFFILIATED WITH DR. (XXXXX). IS THERE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE WITH THIS MATTER?3 THE RECALL STATES THAT THE INFLATOR COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IF UN RESOLVED, DOES THE BMW DEALER HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PERFORM THE RECALL, JEPRODIZING MY SAFETY FOR WHATEVER PERSONAL VENDETTA THEY HAVE AGAINST DR. (XXXX), MY SON? (XXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

May 11, 2019

2001 BMW 325 CI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND HIT THE CONSUMER IN THE HEAD CAUSING BRAIN INJURY AND EYE IRRITATION. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE CONSUMER PAID OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE THE AIR BAG REPLACED DUE TO THE PARTS NOT BEING AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL. THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS REPLACED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS DEEMED TO BE A SAFE AIRBAG. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REFUNDED THE COST OF REPLACING THE AIRBAG. *JS

Jan 08, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325CI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

Aug 25, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO CERRITOS AUTO SQUARE (18827 STUDEBAKER RD, CERRITOS, CA 90703 AND SHELLY BMW 6750 AUTO CENTER DR, BUENA PARK, CA 90621) WHO STATED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THEY WOULD CALL BACK THEN THEY BECAME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO SHELLY BMW AND CERRITOS AUTO SQUARE ABOUT THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Jul 11, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Jun 11, 2015

+ 6 more complaints for this component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

7 complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE CONSTANTLY EXPERIENCED FAILURE WITH THE FAN MOTOR. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, WHICH CAUSED THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING ALONG WITH A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN TEMPERATURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE THE FAILURE IS NOT COVERED UNDER HER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

Jan 26, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325CI. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2008 AND HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84,100.

Sep 17, 2008

CAR DIES IN INTERSECTIONS ON "COLD STARTS" OCCURS ON ALL COLD STARTS AND WHEN BACKING OUT GARAGE. *TR

May 15, 2008

DT: ON MAY 20, 2005 AT ABOUT 5 PM EASTERN TIME THE CONTACT REPORTED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM WITH 2001 BMW 325 , VIN [XXX]. VEHICLE HAD 25, 000 MILES AND WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. WHILE DRIVING HOME VEHICLE STALLED THREE TIMES ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD IN CAMBRIDGE, MA., AFTER STALLING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND AFTER WAITING ABOUT 10 MINUTES THE VEHICLE STARTED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAKE ITS WAY HOME. AN INDEPENDENT BMW MECHANIC USED COMPUTER ANALYZER TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT IT WAS DEFECTIVE CAM SHAFT SENSORS. MECHANIC REPLACED INTAKE AND EXHAUST SENSORS. THE COST FOR REPAIR WAS $300. MECHANIC STATED THAT THESE CABLES FAIL OFTEN. SINCE REPAIR WAS DONE. THERE HAS BEEN NO OTHER PROBLEM WITH STALLING. VEHICLE WAS REGULARLY SERVICED. IT SEEMED STRANGE AND DANGEROUS THAT A SIMPLE CABLE WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND NOT START UP RIGHT AWAY.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Jul 20, 2005

WHILE DRIVING THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR FLASHES "-40 DEGREES." THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER , WHO STATED THAT SENSOR IS LOCATED IN THE FRONT UNDER THE BUMPER, AND IS OFTEN HIT BY DEBRIS THAT CAUSES THE SENSOR TO MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER WILL FIX THE SENSOR AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. *AK

Jul 14, 2003

+ 2 more complaints for this component

POWER TRAIN

5 complaints

MY VEHICLE ONE DAY DECIDED TO STOP GOING IN REVERSE. IT ACTS AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL EVEN THOUGH THE DISPLAY SHOWS IT IS IN REVERSE. NOTHING OF MY DOING WOULD CAUSE THIS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED AND THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF TROUBLE. I DID EXTENSIVE RESEARCH TO FIND OUT THAT BMW OUTSOURCED THEIR TRANSMISSION TO FRANCE THROUGH GM FROM THE YEARS OF 1999-2003. THE FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS THROUGH GM WERE RECALLED HOWEVER BMW BEING A THIRD PARTY NEVER TOOK RESPONSIBILITY. I HAVE SORTED THROUGH HUNDREDS OF PAGES OF CONSUMER REPORTS STATING DIFFERENT MILEAGES THAT ARE EXPERIENCING OR DID EXPERIENCE THE "NO REVERSE" PROBLEM. IT IS VERY EVIDENT THAT THIS IS NOT ABOUT DRIVING HABITS AND IT IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE THAT BMW DENIES ANY PART OF. I MAY BE FACING SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS (ALONG WITH MANY OTHER DISGRUNTLED BMW OWNERS) FOR DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. PLEASE ASSIST US CONSUMERS IN HOLDING BMW RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS. THEY CUT A CORNER AND IT IS THE CONSUMER THAT IS PAYING FOR IT. IMMORAL, UNETHICAL, UNSAFE AND CERTAINLY POOR BUSINESS TACTICS. *TR

May 27, 2013

2001 BMW 325CIC FAILS TO GO INTO REVERSE GEAR. CONSEQUENCE IS THE PROSPECT OF UP TO $5-6000 IN REPAIRS TO REPLACE. *TR

May 28, 2010

2001 BMW 325CI AUTOMATIC, WILL NOT WORK IN REVERSE, BUT WORKS FORWARD. APPARENTLY, THIS IS SO WIDESPREAD A SAFETY ISSUE THAT ENTIRE WEBSITES ARE DEDICATED TO IT EXCLUSIVELY, AND I CAN'T IMAGINE (OTHER THAN GREED) BY BMW ISN'T RECALLING THESE TRANSMISSIONS TO TAKE CARE OF THEM. *TR

Apr 10, 2009

MY 2001 BMW 325 CI CONVERTIBLE STOPPED GOING IN REVERSE TODAY UNEXPECTEDLY. IT ONLY AS 59000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS REDICULOUS. THE CAR BARELY HAS ANY MILES ON IT. THE CAR IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED.

Jul 13, 2007

2001 BMW 325CI; TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING. DEALER SAYS TRANSMISSION MUST BE REPLACED. VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STOPPED ON FREEWAY. I NOTE THAT 1999 BMW MODELS HAD TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE PROBLEM. *NM

Apr 16, 2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

3 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325CI CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT BEGAN TO FLICKER INTERMITTENTLY AS THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT REMAINED INOPERABLE. IN ADDITION, BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE UPON ENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Oct 01, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL CONNECTORS WERE FOUND TO BE MELTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Oct 02, 2012

Fire: 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325 CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE TAIL LIGHT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE BULB WIRE CONNECTOR WAS MELTED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Jul 23, 2012

Fire: 1

STRUCTURE

2 complaints

FUEL TANK STRAP BRACKETS COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF AT THE WELD POINTS. FUEL TANK HANGING OFF BOTTOM OF CAR

Dec 31, 2019

2001 BMW 325 CI WAS BEING DRIVEN BY MY WIFE WHEN THE GAS TANK STRAP ON PASSENGER SIDE BROKE OFF FROM THE REAR SECTION. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, BUMPS OR OTHER ISSUES THAT CAUSED THIS INCIDENT. THE GAS TANK HUNG DOWN A FEW INCHES FROM THE ROAD. WE GOT THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND LEARNED THAT WE NEEDED BOTH A GAS TANK STRAP AND A BRACKET FOR THE UNDERBODY. REGARDING THE BRACKET, BMW HAS NO SUCH PART LISTED IN THEIR SPECS. THE ONLY OPTION APPEARS TO BE RIGGING THE STRAP AND WELDING IT TO ANOTHER PART OF THE UNDERBODY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND FOUND THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE. THIS COULD BE A CATASTROPHIC DANGER IF THE TANK WERE TO LOOSEN, DRAG ON THE GROUND AND ULTIMATELY CATCH FIRE. FORTUNATELY FOR MY WIFE, SHE WAS LESS THAN A MILE FROM OUR HOME WHEN IT OCCURRED. I'M SHOCKED THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL GIVEN THE COMMON REPORTING OF THE EXACT FAILURE. I WOULD BE SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH A LESS THAN EXACT REPAIR. THANK YOU. *TR

Mar 04, 2011

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

PASSENGER SIDE GAS STRAP COME OFF RANDOMLY FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR.

Jan 26, 2017

I PURCHASED A USED BMW 325CI 18 MONTHS AGO. IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF DRIVING THE CAR THE AC/HEATER WORKED FINE. HOWEVER, OVER TIME THE BLOWER HAS BECOME INTERMITTENT AND NOW CEASES TO WORK COMPLETELY ON HOT DAYS. SEARCHING ONLINE I FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS COMMON TO MANY BMW DRIVERS OF SIMILAR MAKES AND MODELS. MECHANICS POSTING ONLINE HAVE ATTRIBUTED IT TO A FAULTY FINAL STAGE RESISTOR FOR THE BLOWER MODULE. THEY STATE THAT THE METAL WAS MADE OF INFERIOR QUALITY. I INTEND TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THIS MYSELF OR TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC BUT THE ESTIMATES I HAVE RECEIVED SO FAR ARE ABOUT $300 FOR TOTAL REPAIRS. LAST WINTER MY CAR BROKE DOWN WHEN IT WAS VERY COLD OUTSIDE AND I HAD TO WAIT FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF FOR A TOW TRUCK TO ARRIVE, DURING THIS TIME I TRIED TO TURN ON MY HEATER ONLY TO HAVE IT CEASE TO WORK AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES. FORTUNATELY I HAD EMERGENCY CLOTHING IN THE CAR, BUT EVEN WITH THAT MY FINGERS WERE NUMB BY THE TIME THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. I THINK BMW SHOULD OFFER TO REPLACE THIS PART FOR FREE. *TR

Jul 13, 2008

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 complaints

GM5 MODULE WHICH CONTROLS DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOWS. INTERMITTENT FAILURE PREVENTS UNLOCKING DOOR LOCKS OR OPERATING WINDOWS.

Oct 31, 2016

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TAG LIGHTS FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING. THE TRUNK SENSOR FAILED WHICH PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM KNOWING WHETHER OR NOT THE TRUNK WAS CLOSED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE WIRE HARNESS IN THE TRUNK WAS BEGINNING TO FAIL DUE TO CONSTANTLY BEING RUBBED EACH TIME THE TRUNK OPENED AND CLOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,000.

May 08, 2007

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2 complaints

I WAS DRIVING ON A SURFACE STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN I SUDDENLY HEARD A METAL SCRAPING NOISE. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DISCOVERED FUEL TANK STRAP WAS DRAGGING ON THE GROUND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE FUEL TANK WAS HANGING WITHIN INCHES OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *TR

Sep 25, 2014

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, I SUDDENLY HEARD A DRAGGING, SCRAPING NOISE THAT APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM THE TRUNK. MY INITIAL THOUGHT WAS THAT SOMETHING WITHIN THE SPARE TIRE WELL HAD BECOME LOOSE. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES FURTHER WITH NO ABATEMENT OF THE NOISE, I WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A SERVICE STATION WITH A MECHANIC. AFTER CHECKING THE TRUNK, THE CAR WAS ELEVATED AND A WELDING FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FUEL STRAP BRACKET WAS NOTED. THE SOUND CAME FROM THE TANK STRAP BEING DRAGGED ALONG THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS ALSO NOTED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD DROPPED FROM WHAT THE MECHANIC STATED WAS ITS ORIGINAL "SEAT." THE MECHANIC SECURED THE CABLE AND TANK WITH STEEL TWINE, GAVE ME THE FAILED BRACKET, AND INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ASAP. I TOOK THE CAR AND THE BRACKET TO DEALERSHIP ON 07/03/14. RECEIVED CONFIRMATION THAT THE STRAP BRACKET HAD INDEED FAILED. *TR

Jul 05, 2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 complaint

FAULTY DMTL NOW NEEDS A THIRD COMPONENT AT 49,000. MILES. JUST REPLACED DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS IN TRUNK THAT CAUSED SOME LIGHTS TO FAIL AND BURNT UP A RELAY FAULTY DESIGN. TRANSMISSION CABLE GETS STUCK WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF DRIVE & N. NEEDS CABLE RE ALIGNED OR REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 49,000. MILES VERY DANGEROUS. DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HAS FAILED .AGAIN. SOME HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING OTHERS AFFECT PASSENGERS SAFTEY.

Jan 30, 2020

Fire: 1

SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS

1 complaint

I [XXX] AND [XXX] WERE ON A LOCAL BACK ROAD IN OUR TOWN WHEN MY REAR FRAME MEMBER ON THE DRIVER SIDE HAD SNAPPED AND PULLED US INTO THE ONCOMING SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO A LARGE DITCH WHERE WE TOOK OUT A FENCE POST AND CLIPPED A FIBER OPTICS LINE INDICATOR POST THEN INTO A COLBERT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON MY FRONT WINDOW POST NOR ON MY DOOR THE FRONT DRIVER STEERING WHEEL AND PASSENGER DASH BOARD AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER I [XXX] HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND AFTER PASSENGER [XXX] HIT THE DASH BOARD. AFTER DEPLOYMENT THE AIRBAG MODULE STARTED SPARKING THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE WE BOTH PUT OUT THE FIRE BEFORE EXITING THE VEHICLE THEN PATIENTLY WAITED FOR THE LOCAL MCCOMB MS POLICE TO ARRIVE THEN WE CALLED THE LOCAL WRECKER SERVICE TO PULL OUR BMW FROM THE DITCH THEN HAD IT HAULED TO THE LOCAL WRECKER YARD FOR PICKUP AT A LATER DAY FOR A FEE FOR STORAGE AND INITIAL TOW. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE REAR FRAME WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURING FLAW OR DUE TO A PRIOR OWNER BUT THAT WAS WHAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRBAGS ON THE OTHER HAND DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE PROPER TIME CAUSING US TO BECOME SLIGHTLY INJURED BUT NOT HOSPITALIZED BUT MOST DEFIANTLY DAZED AND CONFUSED FOR THE MOST PART....I ALSO HAVE MORE PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT REPORT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Aug 22, 2017

Crash: 1

Fire: 1

Injuries: 2

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 complaint

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE GRABBED HARD. THE CAR VEERED INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE BEFORE THE STABILITY CONTROL FAILED (TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON) AND I WAS ABLE TO RECOVER. I TRIED RESTARTING THE CAR AND IT IMMEDIATELY DID IT AGAIN AS SOON AS I WAS MOVING. TO TEST, I DROVE AROUND FOR 2 DAYS WITH THE STABILITY CONTROL TURNED OFF (LONG PRESS ON DSC BUTTON) WITH NO ISSUES. I THEN LEFT THE STABILITY CONTROL ON AND THE ISSUE OCCURRED WITHIN 5 MILES OF CAREFUL DRIVING. MY DIAGNOSIS IS THE YAW SENSOR HAS FAILED. THIS IS SUPPORTED BY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE AND SIMILAR OCCURRENCES LISTED IN THE BMW FORUMS.

Mar 09, 2016

ENGINE

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED A LEAK UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE RADIATOR CAP AND THE THERMOSTAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAN CLUTCH, THE AUXILIARY COOLING SYSTEM, AND THE ELECTRICAL FAN CENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

Feb 19, 2013

STRUCTURE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET I BEGIN HEARING A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING DRAGGING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND OBSERVED THAT THE STRAP THAT HOLDS THE GAS TANK UP, WAS HANGING DOWN FROM ONE END. I THEN DROVE APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE TO AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WELD ON THE FRONT BRACKET OF THE GAS TANK STRAP HAD BROKEN AND DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THIS CAUSED THE GAS TANK TO SAG TO WITHIN ABOUT 4 INCHES FROM THE GROUND. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE MAINTAINED IT WELL. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS BMW OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS EXACT PROBLEM. *TR

Jul 23, 2012

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE

1 complaint

VARIOUS TIMES I HAVE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH MY TAIL LIGHTS. I GET WARNINGS ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL BUT WHEN I CHECK THE BULBS THEY ARE NOT BURNED OUT. ON OCTOBER 17, 2011, LOS ANGELES POLICE PULLED ME OVER NOTIFYING ME THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. WE CHECKED THE BULBS AND FUSES BUT THEY WERE OK. WE FOUND THAT WHEN YOU SLIGHTLY TOUCH THE HARNESS OF THE TAILLIGHT SOCKET THAT IS INSIDE THE BODY PANEL, THE LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF. I DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL CAR, BMW E46. ON SATURDAY JANUARY 21 I WENT TO SANTA MONICA BMW. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT A COMMON ISSUE. TODAY I JUST LEARNED ABOUT RECENT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V438000. THIS RECALL ADDRESSES THE ISSUES I HAVE BEEN HAVING. HOWEVER, IT IS ONLY FOR MODELS MANUFACTURED AFTER SEPTEMBER 2001. MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN JULY 2001 BUT USES THE SAME HARNESS AND BODY PANEL ASSEMBLY THAT HAS PROMPTED THE RECALL FOR MODELS BUILT IN SEPTEMBER 2001. THUS, I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED AS WELL. PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS IN ADVANCE. *TR

Jan 26, 2012

SUSPENSION

1 complaint

2001 BMW 325CI REAR SUB FRAME DAMAGE. *TR

Jul 06, 2011

TIRES

1 complaint

SEVERE DAMAGE TO FRONT BUMPER OF CAR AND DAMAGE TO 2 TIRES. RESULTING IN AN UNNECESSARY PURCHASE OF NEW TIRES. *TR

May 06, 2011

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,STRUCTURE

1 complaint

2001 BMW 325CI, PASSENGER SIDE FUEL TANK STRAP FAILURE AT FRONT WELD SITE CAUSING FUEL TANK TO HANG FROM THE UNDER BODY ONLY SEVERAL INCHES OFF THE GROUND. THE REAR FUEL TANK STRAP REMAINED BOLTED DOWN SO STRAP REMAINED ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE, DRAGGING ON THE ROAD SURFACE CAUSING A LOUD METALLIC POPPING AND SCRATCHING SOUND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION THUS ALERTING DRIVER. THE FAILURE SPONTANEOUSLY OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON RESIDENTIAL ROADWAY WITHOUT ANY OBVIOUS COLLISION FROM DEBRIS, SIGNS OF EXTERNAL DAMAGE OR EXCESSIVE RUST. THE FRONT WELD SITE AT THE UNDERCARRIAGE APPEARED TO BE TORN OR SHEARED OFF. OLD PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE STRAP HAD TO BE REPAIRED BY WELDING TO A DIFFERENT POINT OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE. *TR

Jul 28, 2010

SUSPENSION,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

PASSENGER SIDE GAS TANK STRAP COMES UNWELDED FORM THE CAR. *TR

May 04, 2010

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

1 complaint

2001 BMW 325CI DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 70MPH ONE OF THE FRONT BREAKS LOCKS UP DUE TO THE TRACTION CONTROLS SYSTEM VIOLENTLY TURNING ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE RESULT WAS THE CAR SWERVING INSTANTLY ABOUT 6 FEET INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO FULLY REGAIN CONTROL AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WENT IN TO ERROR STATE. MY MECHANIC STATED THIS IS A YAW SENSOR PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL BMW AND HE AS SEEN IT ON SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLE. THIS IS AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT WILL BE ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE I CAN PUT THIS IN THE SHOP TO REPAIR. *TR

Nov 13, 2009

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

1 complaint

DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONING. TYPICALLY INCONVENIENT WHEN KEYLESS ENTRY WILL NOT UNLOCK DRIVER DOOR (UNLOCKS ALL OTHER DOORS). ONE INCIDENT WHERE, WHILE INSIDE THE CAR, DRIVER'S DOOR UNLOCKED, BUT PASSENGER DOOR DID NOT UNLOCK. IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION OR OTHER EMERGENCY WHERE PASSENGERS INSIDE CAR, ALL PASSENGERS WOULD HAVE TO EXIT DRIVER'S DOOR AS PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. *TR

Dec 31, 2007

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1 complaint

I LOST AND ESTIMATED 97% OF BRAKE PRESSURE WHILE COMING TO A STOP FROM APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH TO STOP AT A HIGHWAY RAMP TRAFFIC CONTROL STOP LIGHT. THE BRAKE PEDAL TOUCHED THE FLOOR AND I PUMPED THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES WITH ONLY A MINIMAL RETURN OF BRAKE PRESSURE. I USED THE MANUAL GEAR SHIFT MODE TO PERFORM ENGINE BRAKING TO SLOW THE CAR TO A STOP WITH THE VERY MINIMAL BRAKE PRESSURE AVAILABLE BUT SURPASSED THE STOP LIGHT BY ONE CAR LENGTH. THERE WAS FORTUNATELY NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME AT THE TIME. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE A YELLOW DSC (DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL) AND YELLOW BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH CONSOLE. THE BMW AUTHORIZED SERVICE FACILITY REPORTS THAT A "DSC SENSOR FAILED". THIS PART WILL BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. THERE WAS NO BACK UP MECHANICAL INTERVENTION IN THIS CASE IN THE EVENT THAT A SIMPLE SENSOR FAILED WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED UN-MEASURABLE DAMAGE, CRASH, INJURIES, OR DEATHS. IN THE EVEN OF PARTS FAILURE UNDER WARRANTY AND IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY, THE DEALER STATES THAT DEFECTIVE PARTS WILL BE HELD AND PROVIDED TO THE MANUFACTURER. *JB

Jul 28, 2006

EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

THE ENTIRE NAVIGATION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS AS WELL AS THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER. OWNER THINKS THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE IS TOO LOW TO THE GROUND CAUSING THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION. *MR WHEN THE CONSUMER PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH A STANDARD 6 INCH HIGH CONCRETE BLOCK, HE HEARD A SLIGHT NOISE AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR. ONCE HE STARTED DRIVING THE CAR HE NOTICED THAT THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAILED ALONG WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING, SPEEDOMETER, DASH LIGHTS AND DASHBOARD GEAR INDICATOR. UPON INSPECTION THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FRONT BUMPER HAD CAUGHT ON THE BLOCK PULLING AND BENDING THE FRONT BUMPER. THE CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED A DEVICE CALLED THE AMBIENT AIR SENSOR LOCATED UNDER THE BUMPER WAS DRAGGING ON THE GROUND, THE WIRES WERE EXPOSED AND ONE OF THE WIRES WAS BROKEN. ONCE THE CONSUMER RECONNECTED THE WIRES THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM CAME BACK IN OPERATION. *NM

May 11, 2004

SEATS

1 complaint

MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER GOT HER HAND CAUGHT IN THE HEADREST WHEN THEY AUTOMATICALLY MOVED WHEN THE SEAT WAS TILTED FORWARD SO SHE COULD GET OUT.THERE IS NO MENTION OF THE AUTOMATIC MOVEMENT OF THE HEADREST IN THE MANUAL AND NO WARNING LABEL IN THE CAR. WHEN THE SEAT IS TILTED FORWARD THE HEADREST AUTOMATICALLY RETRACT AGAINST THE SEAT LOCKING AGAINST THE BACKREST. THERE IS NO MANUAL RELEASE AND YOU HAVE TO RETURN THE SEAT TO ITS UPRIGHT POSITION AND WAIT 8 SECONDS FOR THE SEAT TO RELEASE.*AK

Jun 07, 2002

Injuries: 1

⭐

4.5/5.0

24 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2001 BMW 325Ci have?

The 2001 BMW 325Ci currently has 49 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2001 BMW 325Ci?

The most common problems reported for the 2001 BMW 325Ci are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2001 BMW 325Ci problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2001 BMW 325Ci comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.