Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
87,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data updated: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 5 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Engine operation
1
20.0%
Electrical and battery issues
1
20.0%
Steering behavior
1
20.0%
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
2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
1
Steering
1
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
1
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Air Bags
2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
1
Steering
1
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
1
Air Bags: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 1; Steering: 1; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
2
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
2
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 2 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.
2002
1
2003
1
2006
1
2012
1
2017
1
Complaints over time data
Category
Count
2002
1
2003
1
2006
1
2012
1
2017
1
2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2006: 1; 2012: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 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.
RADIATOR FAILED AT 40K MILES IN MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC,OBSCURING VISION WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN MANY CARS AND THEN STRANDING CAR FAT DANGEROUS INTERCHANGE. *NLM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING A ROUND ROCK OF 4-5 INCHES IN DIAMETER WAS DROVE OVER AND STRUCK THE FRONT AIR DAM RIGHT OF THE CENTER. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG AND THE DRIVER SIDE HEAD PROTECTION AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED AND THE CONTACT IS WAITING FOR A RETURN PHONE CALL.
I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND I HEARD A "PANG" SOUND FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, A MOMENT LATER MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO A SAFE STOPPING PLACE TO BE TOWED BEFORE THE LOST BELT THAT FOLLOWED OVERHEATED ME. PUMP SNAPPED IN AT LEAST ONE PLACE MAKING THE PULLEY CROOKED, AND SHREDDING THE BELT. *TR
DEALERSHIP IN CONCORD CALIFORNIA HAS BEEN TRYING TO DELAY REPAIRING MY VEHICLE AIRBAG EVEN AFTER APPOINTMENT. DID NOT EVEN START FIXING MY VEHICLE AFTER WAITING 5 PLUS HOURS.
ACCELERATOR PEDAL STCKS WHEN FOOT PRESSURE IS RELEASED. RESPONSE OF ACCELERATOR IS VERY QUICK. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK GAS PEDAL STUTTERING/ BINDING CONDITION IS WORSE WHEN VEHICLE IS OUT IN SUN FOR A FEW HOURS. DEALER REPLACED PEDAL THREE TIMES. *TT
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V047000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2017-01-20 (January 20, 2017)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 BMW 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323Ci, 325Ci, 330Ci, M3, 323iT, 325iT and 325xiT vehicles, 2001-2002 525i, 530i, 540i, M5, 525iT and 540iT vehicles, and 2001-2003 X5 3.0i, X5 4.4i, and X5 4.6is vehicles. These vehicles may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. These replacement modules contain an air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
5 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
60.0%Usable mileage3 / 5 records
100.0%Valid incident date5 / 5 records
100.0%Valid filing date5 / 5 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates5 / 5 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.
Component complaint heatmap
Component
1994
1995
1997
1999
2001
2002
Air Bags
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
228.6%ODI 10019947
THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED BECAUSE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WEIGHT SYSTEM. *NLM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING A ROUND ROCK OF 4-5 INCHES IN DIAMETER WAS DROVE OVER AND STRUCK THE FRONT AIR DAM RIGHT OF THE CENTER. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG AND THE DRIVER SIDE HEAD PROTECTION AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED AND THE CONTACT IS WAITING FOR A RETURN PHONE CALL.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
133.3%ODI 10102169 · 96,000 mi
1. NO SYMPTOMS; 2. CRACKED RADIATOR NECK, THAT WAS FORTUNATLY CAUGHT JUST PRIOR TO A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE RADIATOR NECK BROKE IN MY HAND AS I WAS REMOVING IT. 3.REPLACED RADIATOR. *AK
RADIATOR FAILED AT 40K MILES IN MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC,OBSCURING VISION WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN MANY CARS AND THEN STRANDING CAR FAT DANGEROUS INTERCHANGE. *NLM
ENGINE CYLINDER WALL CORROSION, KNOWN AS NICKEL CELL CORROSION, CAUSED BY FUEL CONTACTING CYLINDER WALL. EVENTUALLY THE CORROSION CREATES A HOLE IN THE CYLINDER WALL, LEAKS AND LOSS OF COMPRESSION. CONTINUES TO GET WORSE OVER TIME. MECHANIC SAYS ITS A KNOWN MANUFACTURER DEFECT, BMW EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 6 YEARS AND 100000 MILES BECAUSE OF IT. IS THE MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE FOR CORRECTING THIS DEFECT? HOW MANY VEHICLES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED? WHEN DID BMW EXTEND THE WARRANTY? WHY WEREN'T EXISTING OWNERS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM? …
ACCELERATOR PEDAL STCKS WHEN FOOT PRESSURE IS RELEASED. RESPONSE OF ACCELERATOR IS VERY QUICK. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK GAS PEDAL STUTTERING/ BINDING CONDITION IS WORSE WHEN VEHICLE IS OUT IN SUN FOR A FEW HOURS. DEALER REPLACED PEDAL THREE TIMES. *TT
DRIVING THROUGH THE BROOKLYN BATTERY TUNNEL HEADING INTO MANHATTAN THE BLOWER MOTOR IN MY CAR FAILED. I WAS DRIVING IN THE TUNNEL WHEN I TURNED ON THE HEAT IN MY CAR, THEN SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT OF THE AIR VENTS. I TURNED OFF THE HEAT IMMEDIATELY. THE SMOKE BEGAN FILLING THE CABIN, SO I OPENED ALL OF THE WINDOWS IN THE CAR AND OPENED THE MOONROOF. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE OUT OF THE TUNNEL AND STOPPED AT THE EXIT OF THE TUNNEL IN MANHATTAN. I THEN TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. ONE OF THE BROOKLYN BATTERY TUNNEL OFFICERS SAW…
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
Too few reports for a range
87,000 mi
1 (sparse)
ODI 10157708 · 87,000 mi
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING A ROUND ROCK OF 4-5 INCHES IN DIAMETER WAS DROVE OVER AND STRUCK THE FRONT AIR DAM RIGHT OF THE CENTER. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG AND THE DRIVER SIDE HEAD PROTECTION AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED AND THE CONTACT IS WAITING FOR A RETURN PHONE CALL.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
Too few reports for a range
41,000 mi
1 (sparse)
ODI 10033503 · 41,000 mi
RADIATOR FAILED AT 40K MILES IN MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC,OBSCURING VISION WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN MANY CARS AND THEN STRANDING CAR FAT DANGEROUS INTERCHANGE. *NLM
I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND I HEARD A "PANG" SOUND FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, A MOMENT LATER MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO A SAFE STOPPING PLACE TO BE TOWED BEFORE THE LOST BELT THAT FOLLOWED OVERHEATED ME. PUMP SNAPPED IN AT LEAST ONE PLACE MAKING THE PULLEY CROOKED, AND SHREDDING THE BELT. *TR
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
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
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)
0
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.
2001: 2 complaints · 2002: 0 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2001
0
1
2
2002
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
2001
5
0
0
2002
0
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
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
Steering
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
Air Bags
—
0
0
0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
0
—
0
0
Steering
0
0
—
0
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
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.
2 patterns with matching reports.
Stalling or loss of power
1 mentions · 20.0% of complaints
Median mileage: 98,500 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 10486741 · 98,500 mi
I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND I HEARD A "PANG" SOUND FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, A MOMENT LATER MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO A SAFE STOPPING PLACE TO BE TOWED BEFORE THE LOST BELT THAT FOLLOWED OVERHEATED ME. PUMP SNAPPED IN AT LEAST ONE PLACE MAKING THE PULLEY CROOKED, AND SHREDDING THE BELT. *TR
Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b
Steering assistance concerns
1 mentions · 20.0% of complaints
Median mileage: 98,500 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 10486741 · 98,500 mi
I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND I HEARD A "PANG" SOUND FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, A MOMENT LATER MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO A SAFE STOPPING PLACE TO BE TOWED BEFORE THE LOST BELT THAT FOLLOWED OVERHEATED ME. PUMP SNAPPED IN AT LEAST ONE PLACE MAKING THE PULLEY CROOKED, AND SHREDDING THE BELT. *TR