2001 BMW 3 Series Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 8%of 36 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 173,851miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 BMW 3 Series, 8% of the 36 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 173,851 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was trying to park and when I put the car into reverse, the car did not move backwards. My car rolled forward as if it was in neutral. After researching the issue, this seems to be a common problem with the 3 SERIES.”
NHTSA complaint #10435660, filed 2011-11, 173,851 miles“2001 Bmw 330i. No reverse. It seems to be a common issue with this transmission, yet there has been no recall. It was a one owner car with meticulous maintenance records. Despite the high miles, there were no warning signs prior to the reverse gear failing.”
NHTSA complaint #10578530, filed 2014-04, 216,000 miles“Vehicle operated without issue and then the reverse gear ceased functioning when attempting to reverse from a parking spot and the vehicle had to be pushed as the reverse gear in the transmission no longer engaged. Repeated attempts with the vehicle at operating temperature and when allowed to cool down yielded the same result. Nothing LED me the feel this would occur and could have been deadly if the situation had been dire if an outcome as such rested on the success or failure of the reverse gear.”
NHTSA complaint #10593919, filed 2014-05, 147,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10051459Dec 1, 2012Bmw: 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.
- 10036980Jun 1, 2010Bmw: a new technical process is being used on many models to determine the root cause of double-clutch transmission problems.
- 10032827Nov 1, 2007Bmw vehicles: dsc disabling function. Dsc off function has been implemented in m5 and m6 vehicles equipped with the optional 6 speed manual transmissions. No model years listed.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 6 | 29% |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 4% |
| 2008 | 3 | 4% |
| 2007 | 5 | 4% |
| 2006 | 4 | 2% |
| 2004 | 2 | 3% |
| 2003 | 4 | 5% |
| 2002 | 3 | 12% |
| 2001 | 3 | 8% |
| 2000 | 35 | 40% |
Other parts of the 2001 BMW 3 Series
8 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 BMW 3 Series
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology