Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2001 BMW 3 Series. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Air Bag Inflator May Explode or Underinflate Bag
- Summary
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (36)
36 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 36 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 8 | 22.2% |
| Exterior lighting | 8 | 22.2% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 16.7% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 11.1% |
| Power train | 3 | 8.3% |
| Suspension | 3 | 8.3% |
| Wheels | 3 | 8.3% |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 5.6% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 5.6% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 5.6% |
How 2001 compares with other 3 Series years
Best and worst 3 Series years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 5 | 0 |
| 1998 | 3 | 0 |
| 1999 | 6 | 1 |
| 2000 | 88 | 1 |
| 2001 | 36 | 1 |
| 2002 | 26 | 0 |
| 2003 | 73 | 0 |
| 2004 | 77 | 0 |
| 2005 | 25 | 0 |
| 2006 | 202 | 3 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,900
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 423 g/mi
- EPA class
- Small Station Wagons
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | $4,350 | 468 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2001 3 Series for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2001 BMW 3 Series FAQ
How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 3 Series have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 21V401000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2001 BMW 3 Series problems?
Owners filed 36 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (8), Exterior lighting (8), Electrical system (6) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2001 BMW 3 Series get?
EPA rates the 2.5 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 18 city, 27 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2001 3 Series compare with other years?
Among the 1997–2006 BMW 3 Series model years at least five years old, the 1998 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 2006 the most (202). The 2001 drew 36. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.