2001 BMW 325I Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 4%of 151 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 188,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine of the 2001 BMW 325I, 4% of the 151 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 188,000 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.
“Ever since I've had the car I have had overheating problems after replacing the water pump all the hoses HVAC hoses under the manifold the car still wants to overheat I've been in traffic I've had this problem having a I'm cars behind me and my temperature gauge going to age and I can't crank the car because I don't want to ruin the motor I've had to let the car cool be late for jobs work and other things appointments are the car cool down and I've had to add coolant in it at $20 a piece by the coolant runs right back out”
NHTSA complaint #11243053, filed 2019-08, 98,000 miles“I am horrified. I have 135k miles on my 2001 Bmw 325I and it will no longer reverse. I took it into the transmission guy and he told me it would cost $4k to repair. The car has been in very good shape, with barely any problem. He also sent me to a website where apparently many others have had the same transmission problem. Apparently there is a well known failure esp with the 2001 model 3-series. I believe a class action lawsuit or recall should be brought against Bmw.”
NHTSA complaint #10663670, filed 2014-12“The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325I. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was scanned using a hand-held diagnostic machine. The DTC code 02: Ignition Decay 1/Belt Tensioner Driver was retrieved. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 195,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11609803, filed 2024-08, 195,000 miles“The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325i. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked overnight and off, the vehicle caught on fire. The contact was alerted by her father that the vehicle was on fire. There were no occupants at the time of the fire. The entire front end of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department was called to the scene. It was unknown if there was a fire report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The father of the contact had a truck parked in front and due to the flames of the vehicle fire, it melted the front of the parked vehicle causing damage. …”
NHTSA complaint #11482276, filed 2022-08, 188,000 milesEngine: other model years
Other parts of the 2001 BMW 325I
46 complaintsExterior lighting
23 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 BMW 325I
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology