U.S. public vehicle records

2001 Bmw 325CI: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

49 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

105,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2001 model year. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 31 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 49 complaints (22.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Fuel system concerns	7	14.3%
Braking behavior	4	8.2%
Electrical and battery issues	4	8.2%
Transmission and shifting	3	6.1%
Engine operation	1	2.0%
Steering behavior	1	2.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Electrical System

Exterior Lighting

Fuel/Propulsion System

Structure:Body

Air Bags:Side/Window

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Air Bags	11
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	4
Electrical System	3
Exterior Lighting	3
Fuel/Propulsion System	3
Structure:Body	3
Air Bags:Side/Window	2
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	2

Air Bags: 11; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Electrical System: 3; Exterior Lighting: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Structure:Body: 3; Air Bags:Side/Window: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 10

150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 18 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2001: 2; 2002: 3; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 2; 2007: 3; 2008: 3; 2009: 3; 2010: 3; 2011: 3; 2012: 4; 2013: 3; 2014: 3; 2015: 4; 2016: 2; 2017: 4; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10027144 · 2003-07-14 (July 14, 2003)

WHILE DRIVING THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR FLASHES "-40 DEGREES." THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER , WHO STATED THAT SENSOR IS LOCATED IN THE FRONT UNDER THE BUMPER, AND IS OFTEN HIT BY DEBRIS THAT CAUSES THE SENSOR TO MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER WILL FIX THE SENSOR AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10027144 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10066691 · 2004-05-11 (May 11, 2004)

THE ENTIRE NAVIGATION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS AS WELL AS THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER. OWNER THINKS THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE IS TOO LOW TO THE GROUND CAUSING THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION. *MR WHEN THE CONSUMER PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH A STANDARD 6 INCH HIGH CONCRETE BLOCK, HE HEARD A SLIGHT NOISE AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR. ONCE HE STARTED DRIVING THE CAR HE NOTICED THAT THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAILED ALONG WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING, SPEEDOMETER, DASH LIGHTS AND DASHBOARD GEAR INDICATOR. UPON INSPECTIO…

Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10066691 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10129482 · 2005-07-20 (July 20, 2005)

DT: ON MAY 20, 2005 AT ABOUT 5 PM EASTERN TIME THE CONTACT REPORTED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM WITH 2001 BMW 325 , VIN [XXX]. VEHICLE HAD 25, 000 MILES AND WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. WHILE DRIVING HOME VEHICLE STALLED THREE TIMES ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD IN CAMBRIDGE, MA., AFTER STALLING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND AFTER WAITING ABOUT 10 MINUTES THE VEHICLE STARTED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAKE ITS WAY HOME. AN INDEPENDENT BMW MECHANIC USED COMPUTER ANALYZER TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT IT WAS DEFECTIVE CAM SHAFT SENSORS. MECHANIC …

Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10129482 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10155442 · 2006-04-16 (April 16, 2006)

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. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155442 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10163823 · 2006-07-28 (July 28, 2006)

I LOST AND ESTIMATED 97% OF BRAKE PRESSURE WHILE COMING TO A STOP FROM APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH TO STOP AT A HIGHWAY RAMP TRAFFIC CONTROL STOP LIGHT. THE BRAKE PEDAL TOUCHED THE FLOOR AND I PUMPED THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES WITH ONLY A MINIMAL RETURN OF BRAKE PRESSURE. I USED THE MANUAL GEAR SHIFT MODE TO PERFORM ENGINE BRAKING TO SLOW THE CAR TO A STOP WITH THE VERY MINIMAL BRAKE PRESSURE AVAILABLE BUT SURPASSED THE STOP LIGHT BY ONE CAR LENGTH. THERE WAS FORTUNATELY NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME AT THE TIME. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE A YELLOW DSC (DYNAMIC …

Owner-reported narrative. 47,638 miles reported. Look up ODI 10163823 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10190149 · 2007-05-08 (May 8, 2007)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TAG LIGHTS FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING. THE TRUNK SENSOR FAILED WHICH PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM KNOWING WHETHER OR NOT THE TRUNK WAS CLOSED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE WIRE HARNESS IN THE TRUNK WAS BEGINNING TO FAIL DUE TO CONSTANTLY BEING RUBBED EACH TIME THE TRUNK OPENED AND CLOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 93,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10190149 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10196241 · 2007-07-13 (July 13, 2007)

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.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10196241 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10213235 · 2007-12-31 (December 31, 2007)

DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONING. TYPICALLY INCONVENIENT WHEN KEYLESS ENTRY WILL NOT UNLOCK DRIVER DOOR (UNLOCKS ALL OTHER DOORS). ONE INCIDENT WHERE, WHILE INSIDE THE CAR, DRIVER'S DOOR UNLOCKED, BUT PASSENGER DOOR DID NOT UNLOCK. IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION OR OTHER EMERGENCY WHERE PASSENGERS INSIDE CAR, ALL PASSENGERS WOULD HAVE TO EXIT DRIVER'S DOOR AS PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10213235 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

01V206000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan

Reported: 2001-06-21 (June 21, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

02V138000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan

Reported: 2002-05-16 (May 16, 2002)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. THIS IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A RECALL THAT BEGAN DURING SEPTEMBER 2001 (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V206). OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

19V853000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-11-26 (November 26, 2019)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 1999-2001 323i, 325i, 328i and 330i and 2000-2001 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, 323iT, and 325iT vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver air bag as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: BMW notified owners, and Dealers will replace the driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

20V018000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2020-01-15 (January 15, 2020)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

21V401000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2021-05-27 (May 27, 2021)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 BMW 3 Series (323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci and 330Ci), 1999-2001 323i, 328i, 330i, 330xi, and 2000 323i, 328i stationwagon vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata. These vehicles are equipped with driver-side air bag inflators that were previously inspected, but not replaced under recall numbers 19V-851, 19V852, or 19V-853. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to explode or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence: The inflator could explode during air bag deployment, resulting in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag inflator with a newly designed inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

49 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

63.3%Usable mileage31 / 49 records

95.9%Valid incident date47 / 49 records

100.0%Valid filing date49 / 49 records

95.9%Ordered incident and filing dates47 / 49 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Air Bags	233.3% ODI 11289251 TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V853000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. DEALER FIELDS BMW SOUTH ORLANDO (9750 S ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL, ORLANDO, FL 32837) CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. Look up ODI 11289251 at NHTSA ↗	1122.4% ODI 10652046 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V0428000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO INFORM WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. Look up ODI 10652046 at NHTSA ↗	2376.7% ODI 10627931 · 39,000 mi OUT OF THE BLUE THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I BECAME CONCERNED AND DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE IT- I DIDN'T KNOW WHY OR WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT. THE LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY AND NEVER GOES OUT. I HAD AN AUTO MECHANIC LOOK AT IT BUT HE HAD NOT KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT IT MIGHT BE. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CARE AND THE LIGHT REMAINED ON. I WASN'T DRIVING IT EVERYDAY SO I WAS NOT WORRIED VERY MUCH. BUT I HAD READ ABOUT A RECALL OF SOME BMW'S WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR AIRBAGS AND I THOUGHT THAT COULD BE IT. I AM GOING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PROBLE… Look up ODI 10627931 at NHTSA ↗	933.3% ODI 10664626 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V172000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. Look up ODI 10664626 at NHTSA ↗	4160.3% ODI 10263761 · 72,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN AN OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. Look up ODI 10263761 at NHTSA ↗	2064.5% ODI 10652351 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. Look up ODI 10652351 at NHTSA ↗	2363.9% ODI 10486610 · 29,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325 I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF. THE PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS NOT OCCUPIED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED AS WELL. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED PERMANENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE A TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE FRONT PASSE… Look up ODI 10486610 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	233.3% ODI 11522187 I took my vehicle to a BMW authorized service dealer for the repair of the "AirBag Recall" notice I received in the mail. The dealer did the recall repair and about a week later the light came back on and has remained on. After that happened my electric started acting up and also I was not able to get my convertible roof to go up or down ever again. I politely contacted the dealership, (and not wanting to bad mouth them) it apparently fell on deaf ears followed by what I felt was an accusation and insult on my ignorance of being an older woman … Look up ODI 11522187 at NHTSA ↗	36.1% ODI 10445489 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… Look up ODI 10445489 at NHTSA ↗	26.7% ODI 10393042 · 90,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER WHEN SMOKE BEGAN EMITTING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND WITHIN MINUTES, THE INTERIOR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS DISPATCHED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND DETERMINED THE ORIGIN TO BE ELECTRICAL. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. Look up ODI 10393042 at NHTSA ↗	518.5% ODI 10353603 · 90,000 mi WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 BMW 325CI THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF. THIS CAUSES: 1. POWER STEERING STOPS FUNCTIOINING 2. I AM UNABLE TO ACCELERATE 3. BRAKING TAKES EXCESSIVELY LONG WITH ENGINE OFF 4. DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP. *TR Look up ODI 10353603 at NHTSA ↗	45.9% ODI 10294018 · 83,000 mi AT AROUND 20K MILES, THE SMG (SEQUENTIAL MANUAL GEARBOX W/ PADDLE SHIFTERS) ON MY '04 325CI BEGAN EXPERIENCING MANY OF THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT I'VE READ ABOUT REGARDING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AFTER A COLD NIGHT, THE SMG WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. IT WOULD KEEP "CLUNKING" OVER AND OVER, CONTINUALLY LOUDER, UNTIL I SHIFTED BACK INTO NEUTRAL. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO BMW, WHERE THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANNY. AT 83K MILES, I'M STARTING TO NOTICE SOME OF THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. ADDITIONALLY, WITH BOTH TRANNYS, THE CAR DELAYS ITS… Look up ODI 10294018 at NHTSA ↗	39.7% ODI 11020360 · 8,600 mi HEADLIGHT RIGHT HAND SIDE Look up ODI 11020360 at NHTSA ↗	25.6% ODI 10778406 · 40,000 mi MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN A MAIN STREET AT RUSH HOUR. THE CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE MY WIFE HAD TO TAKE HER LIFE IN HER HANDS TO GET ACROSS THE BUSY STREET. IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON A BUSY FREEWAY OR SHE OR SOMEONE ELSE MAY HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. Look up ODI 10778406 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	36.1% ODI 10467081 · 167,000 mi TL* 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. Look up ODI 10467081 at NHTSA ↗	13.3% ODI 10469539 · 129,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TURN SIGNAL ALSO REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT RESPONDED AND FUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE, HOWEVER THEY DID NOT PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000. Look up ODI 10469539 at NHTSA ↗	27.4% ODI 10467858 · 65,000 mi THE PASSENGER SIDE HID HEADLIGHT FAILS TO COME ON. THIS OCCURS RANDOMLY AND SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY IN THE WINTER TIME WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS COLDER AND THE AIR HAS MORE HUMIDITY. THIS IS NOT A BULB ISSUE IN THAT I HAVE REPLACED THE BULB SEVERAL TIMES. *TR Look up ODI 10467858 at NHTSA ↗	45.9% ODI 10481567 · 91,500 mi DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LAMP HAS GONE OUT. IN RESEARCHING, FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL IN THE LED TAIL LIGHT AND CAN CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO OTHER DRIVERS NOT BEING ABLE TO TELL THAT YOU ARE STOPPING. FOUND RECALL INFORMATION ON NHTSA SITE AND CONTACTED BMW. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY SPECIFIC VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, YET THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS 241,000 OTHER CARS. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT MY SITUATION (AND VIN) BE EVALUATED AND INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. … Look up ODI 10481567 at NHTSA ↗	412.9% ODI 10461454 THE HEADLAMP GOES OUT DOES NOT CONSISTENTLY STAY ON! I WAS TOLD BY BMW EMPLOYEE THEY HAVE HAD ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS THE LAMP GETS TO HOT AND MELTS THE WIRING AND THE WHOLE LIGHT HAS TO BE REPLACED $1200 OR BETTER! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE YOU HAVE NO IDEA IF YOU WILL HAVE FULL LIGHTS AT NIGHT. I READ BLOGS ON THE INTERNET WITH MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM! *TR Look up ODI 10461454 at NHTSA ↗	411.1% ODI 11066557 · 110,000 mi HEADLIGHT WIRING INSULATION IS DETERIORATING AND FALLING APART. RIGHT SIDE HEADLIGHT WIRING IS COMPLETELY DAMAGED AND HEADLIGHT DOES NOT WORK. Look up ODI 11066557 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	48.2% ODI 10155442 · 54,000 mi 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. *NM Look up ODI 10155442 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	710.3% ODI 10055072 · 1,108 mi THE STEPTRONIC TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAUGE IN "D" FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT. BMW REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT 1100 MILES AND AT 300 MILES THE "NEW" TRANSMISSION IS DOING THE SAME THING. THE CAR GOES IN "R" AND POTENTIALLY COULD LEAVE YOU IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY.*AK Look up ODI 10055072 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine	116.7% ODI 11319841 NO TIENE FUERSA PARA GAS ,MUY DESPASIO Y TIENE PROBLEM AS CON EL ENGI LIGHT ON Look up ODI 11319841 at NHTSA ↗	12.0% ODI 10499285 · 116,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED A LEAK UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE RADIATOR CAP AND THE THERMOSTAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAN CLUTCH, THE AUXILIARY COOLING SYSTEM, AND THE ELECTRICAL FAN CENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. Look up ODI 10499285 at NHTSA ↗	13.3% ODI 10533570 · 35,209 mi 2002 BMW 325CI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE WOULD STALL, WHEN HE REDUCED HIS SPEED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR THEM TO EXAMINE AND FIX THE ENGINE STALL PROBLEM. HOWEVER, EACH TIME HE VISITED THE DEALER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. Look up ODI 10533570 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	11.5% ODI 10681919 · 121,868 mi VEHICLE LEAKS LARGE AMOUNTS OIL FROM VALVE GASKET COVER AND OIL FILTER HOUSING COMPARTMENT. I BELIEVE THE ENGINE BLOCK MUST HAVE LOOSE BOLTS WHICH IS CAUSING THE OIL TO LEAK AND FURTHER CAUSE A HAZARD IN A POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE DUE TO THIS ASSEMBLY OF THE ENGINE. I AM ASSUMING BMW IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND BELIEVE A RECALL SHOULD BE AVAILABLE. *JS Look up ODI 10681919 at NHTSA ↗	13.2% ODI 11489602 On the night of 8/21/22, the fire department was callled to my detached garage when someone saw smoke comimg form the garage. The fire department determined that my car caught fire because of the cooling fan. The car was not running nor was the key in the ignition. The car was started 36 hours prior and had not been driven on a regualr basis for some time. The investigating office mentioned that the fan kept running, over heated causing the car and the contents of the garage to catch on fire. Look up ODI 11489602 at NHTSA ↗	25.6% ODI 10553959 · 30,000 mi I AM WRITING THIS DEPARTMENT IN HOPES TO RESOLVE ONGOING MAJOR MANUFACTURING DEFECTS ON THE BMW 2006 325I'S. THE 325I MOTOR IS WELL KNOWN FOR ALUMINUM BOLTS SNAPPING ON THE MOTOR RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT OIL LEAKS AND OIL PRESSURE. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND BOLTS ARE WELL KNOWN FOR PREMATURELY FAILING AND THE HEAD OF BOLTS SNAPPING OFF UNDER PRESSURES. THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND OIL PAN IS ALSO KNOWN TO PREMATURELY FAIL DUE TO POOR ENGINEERS AND THE UTILIZATION OF ALUMINUM BOLTS. BMW FIXED THE ISSUE IN 2007 AND REPLACED DEFECTIVE BOLTS WIT… Look up ODI 10553959 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	24.1% ODI 10227933 · 53,207 mi CAR DIES IN INTERSECTIONS ON "COLD STARTS" OCCURS ON ALL COLD STARTS AND WHEN BACKING OUT GARAGE. *TR Look up ODI 10227933 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	27.4% ODI 10353603 · 90,000 mi WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 BMW 325CI THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF. THIS CAUSES: 1. POWER STEERING STOPS FUNCTIOINING 2. I AM UNABLE TO ACCELERATE 3. BRAKING TAKES EXCESSIVELY LONG WITH ENGINE OFF 4. DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP. *TR Look up ODI 10353603 at NHTSA ↗	11.5% ODI 10075849 · 80,000 mi ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ON 2004 BMW 325IC. MR THE CHECK COOLANT LIGHT HAD COME ON, THEN THE OIL INDICATOR LIGHT AND THEN THE ENGINE STOPPED. THIS ALL OCCURRED WITHIN SECONDS. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT A WATER PUMP WAS NEEDED AND THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS OIL LEAK. THE LEFT AND RIGHT WINDOWS DID NOT MOVE INTO THE LOCK POSITION. SC *JB Look up ODI 10075849 at NHTSA ↗	13.2% ODI 10246207 · 53,859 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND LOSE SPEED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE SPEED DID NOT INCREASE. SUDDENLY, A LARGE AMOUNT OF DARK SMOKE APPEARED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW RADIATOR HOSE AND THEY REPLACED ALL THE FLUIDS IN THE VEHICLE. A MONTH AFTER THE REPAIRS, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE HEATER IN THE VEHICLE FAILED. DARK SMOKE APPEARED ONCE AGAIN … Look up ODI 10246207 at NHTSA ↗	12.8% ODI 10288613 · 49,342 mi VEHICLE SERVICE ENGINE SOON INDICATOR COMES ON REPEATEDLY AND DEALERSHIP CANNOT REPAIR DEFECT AFTER 3 VISITS. *TR Look up ODI 10288613 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	233.3% ODI 11319841 NO TIENE FUERSA PARA GAS ,MUY DESPASIO Y TIENE PROBLEM AS CON EL ENGI LIGHT ON Look up ODI 11319841 at NHTSA ↗	24.1% ODI 10234104 I PURCHASED A USED BMW 325CI 18 MONTHS AGO. IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF DRIVING THE CAR THE AC/HEATER WORKED FINE. HOWEVER, OVER TIME THE BLOWER HAS BECOME INTERMITTENT AND NOW CEASES TO WORK COMPLETELY ON HOT DAYS. SEARCHING ONLINE I FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS COMMON TO MANY BMW DRIVERS OF SIMILAR MAKES AND MODELS. MECHANICS POSTING ONLINE HAVE ATTRIBUTED IT TO A FAULTY FINAL STAGE RESISTOR FOR THE BLOWER MODULE. THEY STATE THAT THE METAL WAS MADE OF INFERIOR QUALITY. I INTEND TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THIS MYSELF OR TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC BUT THE E… Look up ODI 10234104 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	13.2% ODI 11203394 · 120,000 mi DRIVING VEHICLE AND ALL POWER CUTS OUT ...NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES ...JUST STOPS DEAD ... I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL...BUT OBVIOUSLY HAS A SIMILAR ISSUE...THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS...AND I AM AT THE POINT WHERE I AM AFRAID TO EVEN DRIVE IT... Look up ODI 11203394 at NHTSA ↗	12.8% ODI 10536533 · 38,500 mi TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH A CURRENT PROBLEM INVOLVING OUR 2004 BMW 325 CI (CONVERTIBLE) AND THE AUTO DIMMING REAR VIEW MIRROR. OUR VEHICLE ID IS PL32177. THE MIRROR HAS LEAKED RELEASING THE CORROSIVE ACIDIC MATERIAL USED IN THE MIRROR. IN 2004 THE BMW TECHNOLOGY BOOKLET HI-LIGHTED THE AUTO-DIMMING MIRROR ADVANTAGE, "INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY FREES YOU FROM HAVING TO REACH UP AND RESET THE MIRROR'S DIMMING MODE MANUALLY.......REPRESENTS YET ANOTHER CONTRIBUTION TO DRIVING SAFETY". I NOW UNDERSTAND THIS PROBL… Look up ODI 10536533 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel/Propulsion System	116.7% ODI 11532696 Fuel tank bracket on the Passenger side sheared off causing the strap supporting the tank to fall off and hit the ground resulting in sparking from the free end. Safety risk to occupants due to fuel tank hanging close to ground and sparking in close proximity. I inspected and determined car is unsafe to drive. No replacement parts available for repair as brackets are spot weld at manufacturer. Several bmw car owners have experienced the same issue on the same side and some have performed risky self fabricated solutions. This is a fire concern … Look up ODI 11532696 at NHTSA ↗	36.1% ODI 10467164 · 126,342 mi WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET I BEGIN HEARING A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING DRAGGING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND OBSERVED THAT THE STRAP THAT HOLDS THE GAS TANK UP, WAS HANGING DOWN FROM ONE END. I THEN DROVE APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE TO AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WELD ON THE FRONT BRACKET OF THE GAS TANK STRAP HAD BROKEN AND DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THIS CAUSED THE GAS TANK TO SAG TO WITHIN ABOUT 4 INCHES FROM THE … Look up ODI 10467164 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	12.8% ODI 10778406 · 40,000 mi MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN A MAIN STREET AT RUSH HOUR. THE CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE MY WIFE HAD TO TAKE HER LIFE IN HER HANDS TO GET ACROSS THE BUSY STREET. IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON A BUSY FREEWAY OR SHE OR SOMEONE ELSE MAY HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. Look up ODI 10778406 at NHTSA ↗

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Air Bags	115,000–175,000 mi	152,500 mi	6	ODI 10694623 · 180,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED, BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. Look up ODI 10694623 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11004644 · 105,000 mi TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO CERRITOS AUTO SQUARE (18827 STUDEBAKER RD, CERRITOS, CA 90703 AND SHELLY BMW 6750 AUTO CENTER DR, BUENA PARK, CA 90621) WHO STATED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THEY WOULD CALL BACK THEN THEY BECAME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR B… Look up ODI 11004644 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11018981 · 160,000 mi I [XXX] AND [XXX] WERE ON A LOCAL BACK ROAD IN OUR TOWN WHEN MY REAR FRAME MEMBER ON THE DRIVER SIDE HAD SNAPPED AND PULLED US INTO THE ONCOMING SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO A LARGE DITCH WHERE WE TOOK OUT A FENCE POST AND CLIPPED A FIBER OPTICS LINE INDICATOR POST THEN INTO A COLBERT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON MY FRONT WINDOW POST NOR ON MY DOOR THE FRONT DRIVER STEERING WHEEL AND PASSENGER DASH BOARD AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER I [XXX] HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND AFTER PASSENGER [XXX] HIT THE DASH BOARD. AFTER DEPLOYMENT THE AIRBAG MODULE S… Look up ODI 11018981 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Too few reports for a range	63,118 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10155442 · 54,000 mi 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. NM Look up ODI 10155442 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10264887 · 139,863 mi 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. TR Look up ODI 10264887 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10332714 · 63,118 mi 2001 BMW 325CIC FAILS TO GO INTO REVERSE GEAR. CONSEQUENCE IS THE PROSPECT OF UP TO $5-6000 IN REPAIRS TO REPLACE. *TR Look up ODI 10332714 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	118,298 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10920310 · 200,000 mi GM5 MODULE WHICH CONTROLS DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOWS. INTERMITTENT FAILURE PREVENTS UNLOCKING DOOR LOCKS OR OPERATING WINDOWS. Look up ODI 10920310 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11302982 · 36,596 mi FAULTY DMTL NOW NEEDS A THIRD COMPONENT AT 49,000. MILES. JUST REPLACED DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS IN TRUNK THAT CAUSED SOME LIGHTS TO FAIL AND BURNT UP A RELAY FAULTY DESIGN. TRANSMISSION CABLE GETS STUCK WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF DRIVE & N. NEEDS CABLE RE ALIGNED OR REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 49,000. MILES VERY DANGEROUS. DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HAS FAILED .AGAIN. SOME HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING OTHERS AFFECT PASSENGERS SAFTEY. Look up ODI 11302982 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting	Too few reports for a range	150,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10467081 · 167,000 mi TL* 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. Look up ODI 10467081 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10478310 · 110,000 mi TL* 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. Look up ODI 10478310 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10546437 · 150,000 mi TL* 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. Look up ODI 10546437 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel/Propulsion System	Too few reports for a range	126,342 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10467164 · 126,342 mi WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET I BEGIN HEARING A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING DRAGGING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND OBSERVED THAT THE STRAP THAT HOLDS THE GAS TANK UP, WAS HANGING DOWN FROM ONE END. I THEN DROVE APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE TO AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WELD ON THE FRONT BRACKET OF THE GAS TANK STRAP HAD BROKEN AND DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THIS CAUSED THE GAS TANK TO SAG TO WITHIN ABOUT 4 INCHES FROM THE … Look up ODI 10467164 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10608320 · 150,000 mi WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, I SUDDENLY HEARD A DRAGGING, SCRAPING NOISE THAT APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM THE TRUNK. MY INITIAL THOUGHT WAS THAT SOMETHING WITHIN THE SPARE TIRE WELL HAD BECOME LOOSE. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES FURTHER WITH NO ABATEMENT OF THE NOISE, I WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A SERVICE STATION WITH A MECHANIC. AFTER CHECKING THE TRUNK, THE CAR WAS ELEVATED AND A WELDING FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FUEL STRAP BRACKET WAS NOTED. THE SOUND CAME FROM THE TANK STRAP BEING DRAGGED ALONG THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS ALSO NOTED T… Look up ODI 10608320 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10638838 · 60,470 mi I WAS DRIVING ON A SURFACE STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN I SUDDENLY HEARD A METAL SCRAPING NOISE. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DISCOVERED FUEL TANK STRAP WAS DRAGGING ON THE GROUND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE FUEL TANK WAS HANGING WITHIN INCHES OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *TR Look up ODI 10638838 at NHTSA ↗
Structure:Body	Too few reports for a range	138,671 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10467164 · 126,342 mi WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET I BEGIN HEARING A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING DRAGGING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND OBSERVED THAT THE STRAP THAT HOLDS THE GAS TANK UP, WAS HANGING DOWN FROM ONE END. I THEN DROVE APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE TO AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WELD ON THE FRONT BRACKET OF THE GAS TANK STRAP HAD BROKEN AND DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THIS CAUSED THE GAS TANK TO SAG TO WITHIN ABOUT 4 INCHES FROM THE … Look up ODI 10467164 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11292255 · 151,000 mi FUEL TANK STRAP BRACKETS COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF AT THE WELD POINTS. FUEL TANK HANGING OFF BOTTOM OF CAR Look up ODI 11292255 at NHTSA ↗
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	Too few reports for a range	111,798 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10845771 · 187,000 mi DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE GRABBED HARD. THE CAR VEERED INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE BEFORE THE STABILITY CONTROL FAILED (TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON) AND I WAS ABLE TO RECOVER. I TRIED RESTARTING THE CAR AND IT IMMEDIATELY DID IT AGAIN AS SOON AS I WAS MOVING. TO TEST, I DROVE AROUND FOR 2 DAYS WITH THE STABILITY CONTROL TURNED OFF (LONG PRESS ON DSC BUTTON) WITH NO ISSUES. I THEN LEFT THE STABILITY CONTROL ON AND THE ISSUE OCCURRED WITHIN 5 MILES OF CAREFUL DRIVING. MY DIAGNOSIS IS THE YAW SENSOR HAS FAILED.… Look up ODI 10845771 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11302982 · 36,596 mi FAULTY DMTL NOW NEEDS A THIRD COMPONENT AT 49,000. MILES. JUST REPLACED DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS IN TRUNK THAT CAUSED SOME LIGHTS TO FAIL AND BURNT UP A RELAY FAULTY DESIGN. TRANSMISSION CABLE GETS STUCK WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF DRIVE & N. NEEDS CABLE RE ALIGNED OR REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 49,000. MILES VERY DANGEROUS. DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HAS FAILED .AGAIN. SOME HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING OTHERS AFFECT PASSENGERS SAFTEY. Look up ODI 11302982 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2005: 1 complaints · 2006: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2005	1	1	1
2006	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2005	31	0	0
2006	36	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Air Bags	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Electrical System	Exterior Lighting	Fuel/Propulsion System	Structure:Body	Air Bags:Side/Window	Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
Air Bags	—	0	1 ODI 11302982 · 36,596 mi FAULTY DMTL NOW NEEDS A THIRD COMPONENT AT 49,000. MILES. JUST REPLACED DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS IN TRUNK THAT CAUSED SOME LIGHTS TO FAIL AND BURNT UP A RELAY FAULTY DESIGN. TRANSMISSION CABLE GETS STUCK WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF DRIVE & N. NEEDS CABLE RE ALIGNED OR REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 49,000. MILES VERY DANGEROUS. DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HAS FAILED .AGAIN. SOME HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING OTHERS AFFECT PASSENGERS SAFTEY. Look up ODI 11302982 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 11302982 · 36,596 mi FAULTY DMTL NOW NEEDS A THIRD COMPONENT AT 49,000. MILES. JUST REPLACED DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS IN TRUNK THAT CAUSED SOME LIGHTS TO FAIL AND BURNT UP A RELAY FAULTY DESIGN. TRANSMISSION CABLE GETS STUCK WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF DRIVE & N. NEEDS CABLE RE ALIGNED OR REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 49,000. MILES VERY DANGEROUS. DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HAS FAILED .AGAIN. SOME HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING OTHERS AFFECT PASSENGERS SAFTEY. Look up ODI 11302982 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System	1 ODI 11302982 · 36,596 mi FAULTY DMTL NOW NEEDS A THIRD COMPONENT AT 49,000. MILES. JUST REPLACED DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS IN TRUNK THAT CAUSED SOME LIGHTS TO FAIL AND BURNT UP A RELAY FAULTY DESIGN. TRANSMISSION CABLE GETS STUCK WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF DRIVE & N. NEEDS CABLE RE ALIGNED OR REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 49,000. MILES VERY DANGEROUS. DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HAS FAILED .AGAIN. SOME HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING OTHERS AFFECT PASSENGERS SAFTEY. Look up ODI 11302982 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 10445489 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… Look up ODI 10445489 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 11302982 · 36,596 mi FAULTY DMTL NOW NEEDS A THIRD COMPONENT AT 49,000. MILES. JUST REPLACED DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS IN TRUNK THAT CAUSED SOME LIGHTS TO FAIL AND BURNT UP A RELAY FAULTY DESIGN. TRANSMISSION CABLE GETS STUCK WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF DRIVE & N. NEEDS CABLE RE ALIGNED OR REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 49,000. MILES VERY DANGEROUS. DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HAS FAILED .AGAIN. SOME HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING OTHERS AFFECT PASSENGERS SAFTEY. Look up ODI 11302982 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Fuel/Propulsion System	0	0	0	0	—	1 ODI 10467164 · 126,342 mi WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET I BEGIN HEARING A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING DRAGGING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND OBSERVED THAT THE STRAP THAT HOLDS THE GAS TANK UP, WAS HANGING DOWN FROM ONE END. I THEN DROVE APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE TO AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WELD ON THE FRONT BRACKET OF THE GAS TANK STRAP HAD BROKEN AND DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THIS CAUSED THE GAS TANK TO SAG TO WITHIN ABOUT 4 INCHES FROM THE … Look up ODI 10467164 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Structure:Body	0	0	1 ODI 10445489 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… Look up ODI 10445489 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10467164 · 126,342 mi WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET I BEGIN HEARING A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING DRAGGING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND OBSERVED THAT THE STRAP THAT HOLDS THE GAS TANK UP, WAS HANGING DOWN FROM ONE END. I THEN DROVE APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE TO AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WELD ON THE FRONT BRACKET OF THE GAS TANK STRAP HAD BROKEN AND DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THIS CAUSED THE GAS TANK TO SAG TO WITHIN ABOUT 4 INCHES FROM THE … Look up ODI 10467164 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0
Air Bags:Side/Window	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	1 ODI 11302982 · 36,596 mi FAULTY DMTL NOW NEEDS A THIRD COMPONENT AT 49,000. MILES. JUST REPLACED DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS IN TRUNK THAT CAUSED SOME LIGHTS TO FAIL AND BURNT UP A RELAY FAULTY DESIGN. TRANSMISSION CABLE GETS STUCK WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF DRIVE & N. NEEDS CABLE RE ALIGNED OR REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 49,000. MILES VERY DANGEROUS. DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HAS FAILED .AGAIN. SOME HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING OTHERS AFFECT PASSENGERS SAFTEY. Look up ODI 11302982 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 11302982 · 36,596 mi FAULTY DMTL NOW NEEDS A THIRD COMPONENT AT 49,000. MILES. JUST REPLACED DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS IN TRUNK THAT CAUSED SOME LIGHTS TO FAIL AND BURNT UP A RELAY FAULTY DESIGN. TRANSMISSION CABLE GETS STUCK WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF DRIVE & N. NEEDS CABLE RE ALIGNED OR REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 49,000. MILES VERY DANGEROUS. DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HAS FAILED .AGAIN. SOME HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING OTHERS AFFECT PASSENGERS SAFTEY. Look up ODI 11302982 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

4 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

4 mentions · 8.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 96,000 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10129482 · 25,000 mi

Look up ODI 10129482 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10467081 · 167,000 mi

TL* 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.

Look up ODI 10467081 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 561697

CONSUMER STATES UPON PARKING VEHICLE, HE NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE MOTOR, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT, THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THAT THE ELECTRIC COOLING FAN SHORTED OUT AND ITS SPEED PROBABLY KNOCKED OUT THE SENSOR THAT TRANSMITS INFORMATION TO THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS.*JB

Look up ODI 561697 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Battery drain and no-start mentions

1 mentions · 2.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 84,100 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10242684 · 84,100 mi

TL*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.

Look up ODI 10242684 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 2.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 47,638 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10163823 · 47,638 mi

Look up ODI 10163823 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 2.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 25,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10129482 · 25,000 mi

Look up ODI 10129482 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b