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BMW 325XIModel year report

2001 BMW 325XI Problems

Complaints
14filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
140,500miles, 12 complaints with mileage
Recalls
22 do-not-drive
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 2.5L 6-cyl 4WD/AWD · 17 city / 25 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2001 BMW 325XI. The part named most often is exterior lighting, with 5 complaints (36% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and air bags (2). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 8% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 140,500 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns (2 marked do-not-drive) and 13 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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: Transmission and drivetrain (1).

Example complaints

Exterior lighting: “My passenger brake light out of the blue started not working as I took it in the dealership they said a socket connector that involves the wires have been corrupted and burnt out. This is a serious hazard while out on the roads,I have seen many other post about that are having the same issues and im unaware of any recalls about this is issues. This is a issues that needs to have some attention.”

NHTSA complaint #10533057, filed 2013-08, 143,000 miles

Electrical system: “I think I know why the car catches on fire since mine almost did and I troubleshoot the problem. The alternator is not disconnected from the battery when the ignition key is turned off and the car is parked in the driveway. If the alternator ever overheats for any reason (such as the cooling vent comes loose), the pass transistor in the built in regulator of the alternator begins to short. Since it is never disconnected from the battery (even with the ignition key removed) the fist symptom appears to be a bad battery as the alternator kills the battery. …”

NHTSA complaint #10984961, filed 2017-05, 176,000 miles

Air bags: “I received a recall notice from Bmw and brought the car in to them at Bmw o f sudbury, sudbury ma under recall 17v-047 driver's air bag module on july 19, 2017, but they returned the car without replacing the air bag - they said they didn't have to do it.”

NHTSA complaint #11010111, filed 2017-07, 198,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

8% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 120,000 and 172,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–258%25–500%50–758%75–10042%100–15042%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (12 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 140,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2011201352014201520172021
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 325XI 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
325xi 4WD/AWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed manual172520$4,100
325xi 4WD/AWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172319$4,350
325xi Sport Wagon 4WD/AWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed manual172420$4,100
325xi Sport Wagon 4WD/AWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172319$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 325XI → · 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. 13 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 13 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW 325XI

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
200611080,0006—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20052769,5204—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20045567,7404—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200331115,0005—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20026867,5006—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200114140,5002—20—Not enough data

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

Frequently asked questions

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

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2001 BMW 325XI as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Exterior lighting is named most often, in 5 complaints (36% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.

Has the 2001 BMW 325XI been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 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 325XI get?

The EPA rates the 2001 BMW 325XI (325xi, 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 325XI reported?

Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 140,500 miles and the middle half falls between 120,000 and 172,000 miles; 8% 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.