Owners have filed 19 complaints
about the 2001 BMW 325XI with NHTSA between 2011 and 2021.
The largest single group is the lights.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 6 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 14
Against the median year of the BMW 325XI. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 54
10.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2001 BMW 325XI
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Lights
526.3%
0 crashes, 2 fires · median 143,000 mi
Electrical System
421.1%
Median failure at 157,500 miles
Airbags
210.5%
Median failure at 198,000 miles
Doors, Latches & Locks
15.3%
Median failure at 172,000 miles
Seat Belts
15.3%
Median failure at 36,875 miles
Tires
15.3%
Suspension
15.3%
Median failure at 134,000 miles
Body & Structure
15.3%
Median failure at 172,000 miles
Brakes
15.3%
Median failure at 143,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
15.3%
Median failure at 120,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
15.3%
Median failure at 176,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
15.9%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
15.9%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
741.2%
150,000+ miles
847.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Dec 2011peak 3Nov 2021
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 171,000 milesSacramento, CAFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE OEM TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLIES OVERHEAT AT THE PLUGIN PIN #3 CAUSING FIRE. THIS AFFECTS BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLIES. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLIES MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS PROBLEM ALSO AFFECTS THE XENON HEADLAMP FUNCTION CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO FAIL, SOMETIMES BOTH HEADLAMPS AT THE SAME TIME MAKING IT DANGEROUS DURING NIGHT TIME DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10563617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 138,000 milesNewport News, VAFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, SHE NOTICED THAT THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT SOCKET AND WIRING WAS MELTED AND WAS EMITTING SMOKE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT PANEL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
NHTSA complaint #10512497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Warminster, PA
TIRES
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325XI equipped with Primewell Tires, Tire Line: Valera Touring II, Tire Size: 205/50/R17, DOT Number: (Not Available). The contact stated that while inflating the passenger’s side front tire, air was leaking from cracks on the sidewall of the tire. The tire was not replaced. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 17T013000 (Tires) and 16T017000 (Tires) however, the contact did not receive the recall notifications. The failure mileage was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11439987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 198,000 milesSudbury, MA
AIR BAGS
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW AND BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO THEM AT BMW O F SUDBURY, SUDBURY MA UNDER RECALL 17V-047 DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE ON JULY 19, 2017, BUT THEY RETURNED THE CAR WITHOUT REPLACING THE AIR BAG - THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO DO IT.
NHTSA complaint #11010111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 176,000 milesFenton, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I THINK I KNOW WHY THE CAR CATCHES ON FIRE SINCE MINE ALMOST DID AND I TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM. THE ALTERNATOR IS NOT DISCONNECTED FROM THE BATTERY WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED OFF AND THE CAR IS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. IF THE ALTERNATOR EVER OVERHEATS FOR ANY REASON (SUCH AS THE COOLING VENT COMES LOOSE), THE PASS TRANSISTOR IN THE BUILT IN REGULATOR OF THE ALTERNATOR BEGINS TO SHORT. SINCE IT IS NEVER DISCONNECTED FROM THE BATTERY (EVEN WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED) THE FIST SYMPTOM APPEARS TO BE A BAD BATTERY AS THE ALTERNATOR KILLS THE BATTERY. ESPECIALLY IF YOU REPLACE THE BATTERY WITH A NEW, FRESH ONE AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR THE PASS TRANSISTOR CONTINUES TO SHORT MORE AND MORE (IT CHARGES THE BATTERY MORE AND MORE LEADING TO OVERCHARGING AND POSSIBLE FIRE) AND EVENTUALLY SHORTS SO BAD THAT EVEN WHEN TURNED OFF IT DRAWS SO MUCH CURRENT FROM THE BATTERY THAT IT STARTS TO CATCH FIRE. IF AT THIS POINT YOU DON'T HAPPEN TO BE THERE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IT BECOMES A CASCADED FAILURE AND WILL BECOME AN ENGINE FIRE. I KNOW BECAUSE THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO CATCH IT AND FIGURED IT OUT BY MEASURING THE RESISTANCE OF THE ALTERNATOR AND WAS SHOCKED AT HOW LOW IT WAS. I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND EVERYTHING HAS BEEN FINE SINCE. I STILL HAVE THE OLD ALTERNATOR IF ANYONE WANTS TO EXAMINE IT. IN MY OPINION THE ALTERNATOR SHOULD NEVER BE LEFT CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY WITH THE IGNITION KEY OFF. I JUST DON'T SEE ANY REASON FOR IT. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10984961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 176,000 milesFenton, MI
ENGINE
I THINK I KNOW WHY THE CAR CATCHES ON FIRE SINCE MINE ALMOST DID AND I TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM. THE ALTERNATOR IS NOT DISCONNECTED FROM THE BATTERY WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED OFF AND THE CAR IS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. IF THE ALTERNATOR EVER OVERHEATS FOR ANY REASON (SUCH AS THE COOLING VENT COMES LOOSE), THE PASS TRANSISTOR IN THE BUILT IN REGULATOR OF THE ALTERNATOR BEGINS TO SHORT. SINCE IT IS NEVER DISCONNECTED FROM THE BATTERY (EVEN WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED) THE FIST SYMPTOM APPEARS TO BE A BAD BATTERY AS THE ALTERNATOR KILLS THE BATTERY. ESPECIALLY IF YOU REPLACE THE BATTERY WITH A NEW, FRESH ONE AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR THE PASS TRANSISTOR CONTINUES TO SHORT MORE AND MORE (IT CHARGES THE BATTERY MORE AND MORE LEADING TO OVERCHARGING AND POSSIBLE FIRE) AND EVENTUALLY SHORTS SO BAD THAT EVEN WHEN TURNED OFF IT DRAWS SO MUCH CURRENT FROM THE BATTERY THAT IT STARTS TO CATCH FIRE. IF AT THIS POINT YOU DON'T HAPPEN TO BE THERE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IT BECOMES A CASCADED FAILURE AND WILL BECOME AN ENGINE FIRE. I KNOW BECAUSE THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO CATCH IT AND FIGURED IT OUT BY MEASURING THE RESISTANCE OF THE ALTERNATOR AND WAS SHOCKED AT HOW LOW IT WAS. I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND EVERYTHING HAS BEEN FINE SINCE. I STILL HAVE THE OLD ALTERNATOR IF ANYONE WANTS TO EXAMINE IT. IN MY OPINION THE ALTERNATOR SHOULD NEVER BE LEFT CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY WITH THE IGNITION KEY OFF. I JUST DON'T SEE ANY REASON FOR IT. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10984961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 134,000 milesYork, PA
SUSPENSION
SECOND REAR COIL FAILURE. FIRST WAS 4/2007 AT 39800 MI (REF ODI 10189296). EXACTLY SAME LOCATION IN COIL AS LAST TIME. CORRODED CRACKED SURFACE (>95%) INDICATES PART FAILED LONG BEFORE THE COIL END BROKE OFF AND FLEW OUT OF CAR. FINAL FAILURE WAS UNDER BRAKING. PART WAS FORCEBLY EJECTED AND COULD HAVE INJURED A BYSTANDER OR ONCOMING VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10979911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesPenndel, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS LOCKED INSIDE MY CAR TONIGHT. I ENTERED MY CAR THROUGH THE UNLOCKED DRIVER'S DOOR. OTHER DOORS WERE LOCKED. STARTED ENGINE AND LEFT MY DRIVEWAY. DRIVER'S DOOR LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT MY CAR, THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. DOOR HANDLE PULLED AS IF DISENGAGED TO ANY MECHANICAL CONNECTION OTHER THAN RETURN SPRING. I ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK DOORS WITH THE CENTER CONSOLE SWITCH TO NO AVAIL. TURNED OFF ENGINE, REMOVED KEY AND ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK WITH FOB TO NO AVAIL. ATTEMPTED DOOR PULL ON OTHER THREE DOORS WITH RESULTS THE SAME AS PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED. I RETURNED HOME TO MY DRIVEWAY, PARKED THE CAR AND ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR WITH NO SUCCESS. I ATTEMPTED WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND ENGINE RUNNING, ENGINE OFF, KEY REMOVED FROM IGNITION, ETC. EVERY OPTION WAS ATTEMPTED. THE ONLY OPERATIONAL UNLOCK MECHANISM WAS FOR THE REAR HATCH GLASS, WHICH BECAME MY EXIT BY MY CRAWLING THROUGH THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I WAS TRAPPED. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND INTERLOCKED THE MECHANICAL PULL.
NHTSA complaint #10959888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,875 milesNorthbrook, IL
SEAT BELTS
TOOK THE CAR TO BMW SERVICE CENTER AT FIELD'S BMW, NORTHFIELD, IL 60093 3 AUGUST 2015 AS SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM LIGHT ALERT STAYS ON AND WAS ADVISED THERE IS A DANGER BUT IT IS NOT COVERED BY ANY RECALL. STATED THE AIRBAG FOR PASSENGER MAY NOT DEPLOY. BMW AND FIELD'S WILL NOT PAY FOR REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR STATING IS NOT PART OF RECENT RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10746074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Palm Beach, FL
AIR BAGS
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2001 BMW 325XI VEHICLE. I LIVE IN THE SOUTH. THE PASSENGER SIDE ONLY TAKATA AIRBAG WAS RECALLED BY BMW AND REPLACED WITH ANOTHER TAKATA AIRBAG. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG WAS NOT RECALLED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS NOT AS CLOSE TO A POTENTIAL PASSENGER, ALTHOUGH BMW CONSIDERED IT VERY NECESSARY TO RECALL, BUT THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG IS MUCH CLOSER TO THE DRIVER, SINCE IT IS BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS MAKES NO SENSE. BOTH AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE BEEN AND NOW SHOULD BE RECALLED. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE OR POTENTIAL SERIOUS BODILY INJURY. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL, NOR IS THERE AN OPEN RECALL ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG, STATED ON THE SAFERCAR.GOV WEBSITE, WHICH I CONSTANTLY CHECK BY USING MY VIN NUMBER. I URGE YOU TO ORDER A RECALL ON THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG AT ONCE. I HAVE WATCHED AND WILL CONTINUE TO WATCH THE HEARINGS. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED MY GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS AND TAKEN NOTES ON THE HEARINGS. PLEASE CONTINUE YOUR THOROUGH WORK, BUT ALSO PLEASE HELP ME! UPDATED 09/10/15
NHTSA complaint #10730465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 171,000 milesSacramento, CAFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE OEM TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLIES OVERHEAT AT THE PLUGIN PIN #3 CAUSING FIRE. THIS AFFECTS BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLIES. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLIES MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS PROBLEM ALSO AFFECTS THE XENON HEADLAMP FUNCTION CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO FAIL, SOMETIMES BOTH HEADLAMPS AT THE SAME TIME MAKING IT DANGEROUS DURING NIGHT TIME DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10563617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesLakewood, CO
POWER TRAIN
AFTER YOU ENTER 5TH GEAR, THE SHIFTER WILL NOT RETURN TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION AND PREVENTS ACCESS TO 3RD GEAR. THIS WILL ULTIMATELY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO DOWNSHIFT INTO THE INCORRECT GEAR CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE, DAMAGE TO THE GEARBOX, AND/OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING DURING CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10552615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 172,000 milesLakewood, CO
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PIN NUMBER 3 ON THE TAILLIGHT BULB HOUSING BEGINS TO MELT AT THE CONNECTION POINT CAUSING ANY NUMBER OF THINGS TO HAPPEN WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. YOU MAY EXPERIENCE FLICKERING HEADLIGHTS, LOSS OF TAILLIGHT FUNCTION, LOSS OF TURN SIGNAL FUNCTION, OR ELECTRICAL FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10552625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 172,000 milesLakewood, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PIN NUMBER 3 ON THE TAILLIGHT BULB HOUSING BEGINS TO MELT AT THE CONNECTION POINT CAUSING ANY NUMBER OF THINGS TO HAPPEN WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. YOU MAY EXPERIENCE FLICKERING HEADLIGHTS, LOSS OF TAILLIGHT FUNCTION, LOSS OF TURN SIGNAL FUNCTION, OR ELECTRICAL FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10552625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 172,000 milesLakewood, CO
STRUCTURE:BODY
DOOR LOCKS DO NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY. WHEN UNLOCKING VEHICLE WITH THE REMOTE KEY FOB, THE DOORS ATTEMPT TO UNLOCK BUT DO NOT. WHEN INSIDE THE VEHICLE, PASSENGERS ARE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND MUST EXIT THROUGH THE WINDOW. IF AN ACCIDENT/FIRE OCCURS, ALL PASSENGERS WILL BE STUCK IN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10546090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 172,000 milesLakewood, CO
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DOOR LOCKS DO NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY. WHEN UNLOCKING VEHICLE WITH THE REMOTE KEY FOB, THE DOORS ATTEMPT TO UNLOCK BUT DO NOT. WHEN INSIDE THE VEHICLE, PASSENGERS ARE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND MUST EXIT THROUGH THE WINDOW. IF AN ACCIDENT/FIRE OCCURS, ALL PASSENGERS WILL BE STUCK IN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10546090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 143,000 milesBloomington, MN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY PASSENGER BRAKE LIGHT OUT OF THE BLUE STARTED NOT WORKING AS I TOOK IT IN THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID A SOCKET CONNECTOR THAT INVOLVES THE WIRES HAVE BEEN CORRUPTED AND BURNT OUT. THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD WHILE OUT ON THE ROADS,I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER POST ABOUT THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AND IM UNAWARE OF ANY RECALLS ABOUT THIS IS ISSUES. THIS IS A ISSUES THAT NEEDS TO HAVE SOME ATTENTION.
NHTSA complaint #10533057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 143,000 milesBloomington, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY PASSENGER BRAKE LIGHT OUT OF THE BLUE STARTED NOT WORKING AS I TOOK IT IN THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID A SOCKET CONNECTOR THAT INVOLVES THE WIRES HAVE BEEN CORRUPTED AND BURNT OUT. THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD WHILE OUT ON THE ROADS,I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER POST ABOUT THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AND IM UNAWARE OF ANY RECALLS ABOUT THIS IS ISSUES. THIS IS A ISSUES THAT NEEDS TO HAVE SOME ATTENTION.
NHTSA complaint #10533057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 143,000 milesBloomington, MN
SERVICE BRAKES
MY PASSENGER BRAKE LIGHT OUT OF THE BLUE STARTED NOT WORKING AS I TOOK IT IN THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID A SOCKET CONNECTOR THAT INVOLVES THE WIRES HAVE BEEN CORRUPTED AND BURNT OUT. THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD WHILE OUT ON THE ROADS,I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER POST ABOUT THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AND IM UNAWARE OF ANY RECALLS ABOUT THIS IS ISSUES. THIS IS A ISSUES THAT NEEDS TO HAVE SOME ATTENTION.
NHTSA complaint #10533057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 138,000 milesNewport News, VAFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, SHE NOTICED THAT THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT SOCKET AND WIRING WAS MELTED AND WAS EMITTING SMOKE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT PANEL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
NHTSA complaint #10512497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesBloomfield, MI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TAIL LIGHT BULB, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE TAIL LIGHT WIRES BEING CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10439754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.