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BMW 325CIModel year report

2001 BMW 325CI Problems

Complaints
49filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
105,000miles, 31 complaints with mileage
Recalls
51 do-not-drive
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 2.5L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 BMW 325CI (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 49 consumer complaints for the 2001 BMW 325CI. The part named most often is air bags, with 13 complaints (27% of the total), followed by engine cooling (7) and body and structure (5). 31 of the complaints include a mileage, and 16% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 105,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 6 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns (1 marked do-not-drive) and 16 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the fan filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Brakes (1), Engine (1), Equipment (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seats (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11019627, filed 2017-08, 180,000 miles

Engine cooling: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10242684, filed 2008-09, 84,100 miles

Body and structure: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10386451, filed 2011-03, 54,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10264887, filed 2009-04, 139,863 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

16% of the 31 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 60,470 and 150,000 miles.

0%0–106%10–2510%25–5016%50–7516%75–10019%100–15032%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (31 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 105,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’02’05’08’114’144’174’20
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2001 BMW 325CI version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
325ci RWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed manual182721$3,900
325ci RWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172520$4,100
325ci Convertible RWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed manual172420$4,100
325ci Convertible RWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172419$4,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2001 BMW 325CI → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 16 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 16 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW 325CI

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20063649,3422—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20053167,0002—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20046875,0002—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20032765,0005—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200230110,0003—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200149105,0005—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20006112,0003———Not enough data

All BMW 325CI model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 BMW 325CI have?

NHTSA recorded 49 consumer complaints for the 2001 BMW 325CI as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2001 BMW 325CI is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 13 complaints (27% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 7.

Has the 2001 BMW 325CI been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2001 BMW 325CI get?

The EPA rates the 2001 BMW 325CI (325ci, 2.5L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2001 BMW 325CI reported?

Among the 31 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 105,000 miles and the middle half falls between 60,470 and 150,000 miles; 16% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.