Model year
2001 BMW 3 Series
NHTSA lists 1 recall and 36 complaints for the 2001 BMW 3 Series (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 57 recalls and 494 complaints under 318, 318I, 318IC, 320, 320I, 323, 323CI, 323I, 323IT, 325, 325CI, 325I, 325IT, 325IX, 325XI, 325XIT, 328CI, 328I, 330, 330CI, 330I, and 330XI. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are EXTERIOR LIGHTING (8), AIR BAGS (7), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5). NHTSA lists 2 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 18–21 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,900–$4,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 88 complaints
- 2001 36 complaints
- 2002 26 complaints
- 2003 73 complaints
- 2004 77 complaints
- 2005 25 complaints
- 2006 202 complaints
- 2007 115 complaints
- 2008 68 complaints
- 2009 53 complaints
- 2010 30 complaints
- 2011 1 complaints
- 2012 7 complaints
- 2013 21 complaints
- 2014 410 complaints
- 2015 215 complaints
- 2016 106 complaints
- 2017 80 complaints
- 2018 73 complaints
- 2019 41 complaints
- 2020 53 complaints
- 2021 33 complaints
- 2022 8 complaints
- 2023 0 complaints
- 2024 11 complaints
- 2025 6 complaints
- 2026 1 complaints
Recalls
21V401000 · May 27, 2021
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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…
Complaints
36 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 1, fire flag on 0, injury field 0, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 318 | 0 | 6 |
| 318I | 0 | 4 |
| 318IC | 0 | 2 |
| 320 | 1 | 10 |
| 320I | 1 | 0 |
| 323 | 2 | 0 |
| 323CI | 3 | 0 |
| 323I | 3 | 3 |
| 323IT | 2 | 0 |
| 325 | 2 | 31 |
| 325CI | 5 | 49 |
| 325I | 6 | 151 |
| 325IT | 4 | 4 |
| 325IX | 0 | 7 |
| 325XI | 2 | 14 |
| 325XIT | 1 | 0 |
| 328CI | 3 | 0 |
| 328I | 3 | 4 |
| 330 | 2 | 0 |
| 330CI | 5 | 82 |
| 330I | 7 | 116 |
| 330XI | 5 | 11 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE02011 | INADVERTENT SIDE-IMPACT AIR BAG · AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | Jan 31, 2002 | Jul 15, 2002 |
| EA02012 | INADVERTENT SIDE-IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYME · AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | Jul 15, 2002 | Jun 24, 2003 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 325ci Convertible · 2.5L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| 325ci Convertible · 2.5L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 330ci Convertible · 3L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 26 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 330ci Convertible · 3L · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| 325ci · 2.5L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 325ci · 2.5L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 27 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| 330ci · 3L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 27 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| 330ci · 3L · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 325i · 2.5L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 325i · 2.5L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 27 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| 325xi · 2.5L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| 325xi · 2.5L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
8 more configurations are in the EPA file and are not listed in this table. The fuel-cost calculator lists every configuration.
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2001 BMW 3 Series at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.