VehicleVerdict

2001 BMW 325i engine problems

The 2001 BMW 325i has 24 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 12% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

24

Engine complaints

12%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

325i engine complaints by model year78 complaints1987: 1 complaints1988: 1 complaints1989: 2 complaints1992: 16 complaints1993: 6 complaints1994: 4 complaints1995: 5 complaints2001: 24 complaints2002: 13 complaints2003: 16 complaints2004: 7 complaints2005: 1 complaints2006: 78 complaints2008: 1 complaints
325i engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

02V138000EngineMay 16, 2002 · 1,550 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. THIS IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A RECALL THAT BEGAN DURING SEPTEMBER 2001 (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V206). OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

01V206000EngineJune 21, 2001 · 76,469 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

What owners report

“CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE IN GARAGE AT WORK. 5 MINUTES LATER, CONSUMER WAS CALLED DOWNSTAIRS, AND TOLD ENGINE VEHICLE ON FIRE. FRONT PART WAS TOTALED. COOLING FAN AND OTHER ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE POSSIBLE CAUSE OF FIRE.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 8, 2001 · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2001 BMW 325i have?

NHTSA has 24 complaints about the 2001 BMW 325i engine — 12% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2001 BMW 325i engine?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the engine: 01V206000, 02V138000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.