Representative model. Photo: David Merrett from Daventry, England, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2001 BMW M3 recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2001 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 4
Park-it warnings: 3
Complaints: 14
Latest campaign: Jan 15, 2020

Recall summary by component4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Park‑it	Latest	Campaign IDs
Air bags	3	3	Jan 15, 2020	20V018000 14V428000 17V047000
Parking brake	1	–	Jul 31, 2001	01V245000

Safety recalls4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

3Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jan 15, 2020Latest campaign


Jan 15, 202020V018000	Air bags: frontal passenger side An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Do not drive until repaired DetailsHide details for campaign 20V018000 What's wrong 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. Remedy 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. Campaign NHTSA 20V018000 · Jan 15, 2020
Jun 11, 201814V428000	Air bags In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal… Do not drive until repaired DetailsHide details for campaign 14V428000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. Risk In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants. Remedy Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com. Campaign NHTSA 14V428000 · Jun 11, 2018
Jan 20, 201717V047000	Air bags: frontal driver side In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants… Do not drive until repaired DetailsHide details for campaign 17V047000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 BMW 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323Ci, 325Ci, 330Ci, M3, 323iT, 325iT and 325xiT vehicles, 2001-2002 525i, 530i, 540i, M5, 525iT and 540iT vehicles, and 2001-2003 X5 3.0i, X5 4.4i, and X5 4.6is vehicles. These vehicles may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. These replacement modules contain an air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. Risk In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Remedy Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Campaign NHTSA 17V047000 · Jan 20, 2017
Jul 31, 200101V245000	Parking brake: conventional mechanical IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, THE CABLE MOUNTING BRACKET WOULD NO LONGER BE FIXED TO THE BACKING PLATE AND THE PARKING BRAKE COULD NO LONGER BE APPLIED ON THAT SIDE OF THE… DetailsHide details for campaign 01V245000 What's wrong VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TWO SCREWS THAT SECURE THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE MOUNTING BRACKET TO THE BACKING PLATE WERE NOT TIGHTENED PROPERLY. AS A RESULT, THE SCREWS COULD LOOSEN AND EVENTUALLY FALL INTO THE PARKING BRAKE DRUM. Risk IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, THE CABLE MOUNTING BRACKET WOULD NO LONGER BE FIXED TO THE BACKING PLATE AND THE PARKING BRAKE COULD NO LONGER BE APPLIED ON THAT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT A SCREW COULD LODGE WITHIN THE PARKING BRAKE DRUM, IMPAIRING THE FREE MOVEMENT OF THE DRUM. THIS WOULD PRODUCE NOISE, AND COULD CAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE ON THAT SIDE TO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. Remedy DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE ATTACHING SCREWS AND SECURE THEM WITH THE PROPER TORQUE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 4, 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. Campaign NHTSA 01V245000 · Jul 31, 2001

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2001 BMW M3? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component14

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

14Complaints filed

1Involving a crash

0Involving a fire

0Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes
Structure	4	29	0
Power train	4	29	0
Suspension	3	21	0
Engine and engine cooling	3	21	0
Wheels	1	7	0
Latches/locks/linkages	1	7	0
Visibility	1	7	0
Air bags	1	7	1
Parking brake	1	7	0

An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Suspension
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 bmw m3. While the vehicle was being serviced by an independent mechanic, the contact was informed of a severe crack in the subframe that supported the rear wheels and suspension.”
Filed 07/17/2018 · ODI 11111835
Suspension
“Inspection by two mechanics shows cracks in the subframe holding the back wheels. There was a legal case involving this defect that was settled by bmw which was to fix the problem and notify all owners of 3 series bmw's…”
Filed 04/19/2016 · ODI 10860335
Structure
“Passenger door cannot be opened either from insider or outside. Appears like the door is double locked. Luckily both doors are not double locked with passenger inside the vehicle.”
Filed 08/05/2014 · ODI 10619015

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2001 BMW M3 recall questions

How many recalls does the 2001 BMW M3 have?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2001 BMW M3. The most recent, 20V018000 (reported January 15, 2020), concerns air bags. 3 campaigns carry a park-it or park-outside warning. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2001 BMW M3 recalls for?

The largest group is air bags, with 3 campaigns. Others: parking brake (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2001 BMW M3?

Structure is the most-reported component, named in 4 complaints out of 14 filed with NHTSA (29%). Across all complaints, owners reported 1 crash and 0 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2001 BMW M3?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised BMW dealer.

Check a specific BMW by VIN

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