2001 BMW 325CI Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 10%of 49 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,118miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 BMW 325CI, 10% of the 49 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,118 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.
“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“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10155442, filed 2006-04, 54,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10513696, filed 2013-05“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10196241, filed 2007-07Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2001 BMW 325CI
13 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsExterior lighting
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