2001 BMW 328I Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated May 28, 2021 · 4 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other 328I years
Not enough data 16th of 21 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 BMW 328I. That ranks 16th out of 21 328I model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (2 complaints, 50%). There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

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Most common 2001 BMW 328I problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine and Engine Cooling2
Power Train1 · ~36,230 mi
Tires1
Unknown or Other1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine and Engine Cooling250%———
Power Train125%36,230——
Tires125%———
Unknown or Other125%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2001, with 3 complaints
2001: 3200132003: 120031

n = 4 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2001 BMW 328I recalls (3)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleMay 27, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V401000 · 4,511 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveJan 15, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V018000 · 292,948 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleNov 26, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V853000 · 74,185 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Rear differential failure at 33k miles while traveling at 65mph, causing loss of control and near accident with other vehicles. Bmwna states no liability for incident and ignores the factory warranty on a 2000 module year 3 series. I was required to pay for all damages and new parts. I have the…

Power Train · received Jul 31, 2003 · NHTSA complaint 10030537

While driving, tire blewup and the whole outer wall of the tire fell apart at its entire circumference. The car became difficult to control and luckily we prevented a major crash due to it.*ak (dot number: lmujp5b7 tiresize: 245/40zr17)

Tires · received Jul 30, 2001 · NHTSA complaint 749425

Ambient temp was 75 degrees. Traffic was stop and go. Steam was streaming from under the hood. Service engine light and low coolant line illuminated. *ak

Engine and Engine Cooling · received Jul 24, 2001 · NHTSA complaint 749038

Vehicle overheated while seating in traffic at a red light, with the a/c on. The car had not been running for more than 10 minutes. The car was exactly one month old when this occured.*ak

Engine and Engine Cooling · received Jul 9, 2001 · NHTSA complaint 748175

Other BMW 328I years

← 2000 328I · 2002 328I →

See all BMW 328I problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2001 BMW 328I?

Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, power train, tires problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 2 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2001 BMW 328I?

Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2001 BMW 328I a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 328I model years, the 2001 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.