2001 BMW 325CI Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 8%of 49 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 150,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2001 BMW 325CI, 8% of the 49 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 150,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10445489, filed 2012-01“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10478310, filed 2012-10, 110,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10546437, filed 2013-10, 150,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10467081, filed 2012-07, 167,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10037025Aug 1, 2010Bmw: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty.
Exterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 2001 BMW 325CI
13 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 BMW 325CI
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