2001 BMW 3 Series
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 36 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 21 3 Series model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 1 involved a crash.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMay 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 21V401000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
6 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Dec 15, 2017
OUR 2001 E46 HAS ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS WHICH ARE FAILING. MY WIFE HAS FOUND HERSELF LOCKED INSIDE THE CAR, UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE LOCKS FREEZE, AND CANNOT BE MANUALLY UNLOCKED, TRAPPING THE OCCUPANT IN THE CAR. THERE IS NO MECHANICAL OVERRIDE TO THE SYSTEM. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN SHE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TRIED TO OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR TO EXIT THE VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 22, 2015
A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR CARS PRODUCED FROM 9/1/01 TO 02/01/05. [RECALL CAMPAIGN 11V-438: REPAIR GROUND CABLE FOR REAR LIGHT LAMPS (SIDE PANEL)]. ...UPDATED 09/22/15 *BF I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ALTHOUGH MY CAR WAS PRODUCED APPROXIMATELY 14 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. SITUATION ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING LIGHTS DOES NOT FUNCTION IN THE REAR LAMP ASSEMBLY, MOUNTED ON THE REAR QUARTER PANEL (REAR PARKING LIGHT, REAR TURN SIGNAL, AND REAR BRAKE LIGHT). CAUSE A POOR GROUND CONNECTION AT THE REAR LAMP ASSEMBLY (CONNECTORS X338 LEFT SIDE ? PIN # 2 AND X339 RIGHT SIDE ? PIN # 3) CAUSES A MALFUNCTION OF THE REAR TAIL LAMPS.
Electrical system, Air bags, Jun 2, 2015
RECALLED PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS REPLACED BY DEALER LAST WEEK, BUT THE DASHBOARD LIGHT INDICATES THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF. THE DEALER SAYS THIS WAS AN EXISTING PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO FIX WITHOUT CHARGING SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO "DIAGNOSE." I MAINTAIN THIS IS DIRECTLY ELATED TO THE RECALLED AIR BAG AND SHOULD BE FIXED WITHOUT CHARGE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, May 14, 2013
ELECTRICAL GROUND CONTACT RESISTANCE IN REAR TAIL LAMP HAS RENDERED TAIL LAMP NON FUNCTIONAL AND CAUSED WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE IDENTICAL TO CAMPAIGN 11V438000. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 26, 2012
RECENTLY MY REAR TAILLIGHTS WERE NOTICEABLY DARKER AND LESS RESPONSIVE. TAKING MY BMW TO MY AUTHORIZED BMW DEALERSHIP/SERVICE CENTER, RESULTED IN A DIAGNOSIS THAT THE REAR WIRE HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF ~$300. FOLLOWING THE VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP/SERVICE CENTER, RESULTED IN THE REAR LIGHT FAILING COMPLETELY. RESEARCHING THIS INCIDENT ONLINE PRODUCED MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS W/OTHER 330I MODELS AND I ALSO DISCOVERED THAT NHTSA HAD ISSUED A RECALL OF BMW 3-SERIES FROM MY 02-06. MY BMW IS A 01. IT IS APPARENT, FROM THE MANY POSTINGS ON BMW BOARDS AND WEBSITES, THAT THIS DEFECT ALSO OCCURS IN OLDER BMWS OF THE SAME E46 SERIES EARLIER THAN MODEL YR 2002. I ASK THAT NHTSA EXTEND THE PREVIOUS RECALL TO EARLIER MODEL YEARS OF THE E46 SERIES OF BMWS. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 3, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW SERIES 3. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE IDLES VERY HARD. THE CONTACT STATES THAT THE IGNITION COIL IS THE REASON FOR THE HARD IDLING. THE CONTACT STATES HE HAD HIS VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A BMW EMPLOYEE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE COIL WAS FAULTY. THE CONTACT SAYS HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT SAYS THE VEHICLE HAD THE DEFECTIVE PART(S) BUT THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT GOING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SAYS HE HAS BEEN DEALING WITH THE MANUFACTURER FOR SIX MONTHS TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SAYS THAT IN A LETTER HE RECEIVED, HE WAS ADVISED THAT IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT REPAIRED, THE VEHICLE WILL FAIL INSPECTION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILES WERE NOT AVAILABLE.