Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 BMW 325i owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325I. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was scanned using a hand-held diagnostic machine. The DTC code 02: Ignition Decay 1/Belt Tensioner Driver was retrieved. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 195,000.
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325I. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V018000 (Air Bags) and 17V047000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact called another local dealer Ferman BMW (31400 US Hwy 19 N, Palm Harbor, FL 34684); but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Steering wheel angle sensor internal abc-dsc issues, yellow light is on.. Is there a recall for this issue!? Also front door passenger side air bag is not working, I have used OBD reader to confirm all the above...
Tl* the contact owned a 2001 BMW 325i. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle shifted to the left side of the road and flipped over six times. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle caught fire, which was extinguished by the fire department. The driver sustained a sprain to her neck and back, consistent headaches, and internal bleeding from her gallbladder. The other passenger sustained injuries to the neck and back, but specifics were not available. Medical attention was received. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Vehicle was in motion on a city street and got into an accident. Driver was only person in vehicle. Airbag deployed and although the accident wasn't extremely serious, it injured driver to the point he was about to lose his eye. Driver didn't impact his face with anything but the airbag that came out with too much force. Injury required hospitalization of several days (5).
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 BMW 325i. The contact stated that the front passenger air bag abruptly and without an impact while driving approximately 40 MPH. The contact stated that there were no visible metal fragments; however, the deployment caused damage to the front passenger door and ceiling. In addition, the front passenger side rim was damaged. The contact suffered injuries to the chest and neck caused by the force of the air bag deployment. Medical attention was not received. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer where it was determined that the vehicle could not be repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 300,000.
My name is [redacted], I own BMW 325i 2001, on 17th July 2017 , drivers side and shoulder airbags deployed while driving with no impact , after 911 call lawrenceville police officer [redacted] placed a report with details, about this accident. I will attach report number, 5 weeks before it happen I changed 2 front airbags at nalley bwm atlanta. I contacted advisor [redacted], was asked to bring car to service, and said my module failed,before asked to authorize diagnostics, what I will attach to this message. Im asking more information what I have to do in this situation.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 BMW 325i. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the front passenger side air bag inadvertently deployed. The front passenger sustained an injured right arm, which required medical attention. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer (here in gear BMW, I 55, jackson, ms) was notified, but the manufacturer was not. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 300,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 BMW 325i. The front end of the vehicle made slight contact with the freezer located in the garage and the passenger side air bag deployed inadvertently. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 159,000.
I took my vehicle to henderson BMW in nevada regarding the Takata airbag recall. They put an airbag in my vehicle that is not compatible with my sensors. Knowingly and deceitfully, they placed this airbag in my vehicle. Then, the airbag light came on and when I called, they said if its a sensor problem, we are not liable but if there is something wrong with the airbag we installed, then we will replace. There was no airbag light on when I took my vehicle in for the recall. I took my car back to henderson BMW in nevada so that they could correct the problem and the light issue. They charged me $170 (I disputed this charge) to tell me it is a sensor problem, which they knew before they even installed this airbag. They now want me to pay 1200 to correct this sensor problem that they created in my vehicle, knowingly. …
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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…
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
Remedy: 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.
Air bags
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…
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.
Airbag complaints in other 325i years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2001 BMW 325i?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 BMW 325i, 30% of the model year's 151 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 BMW 325i airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-018 (inflator module, Jan 15, 2020); NHTSA recall 19V-853 (inflator module, Nov 26, 2019); NHTSA recall 14V-428 (air bags, Jun 11, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 BMW 325i airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 13 injuries and 1 death to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.