2001 BMW 328i Problems & Complaints

Better than average91% fewer complaints than a typical year of the 328i at the same age

Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2001 BMW 328i with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 91% fewer than a typical 328i model year at the same age, making the 2001 one of the better 328i years. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (2 complaints). 3 recalls cover this model year, including one with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning.

4complaints
3recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2001 BMW 328i problems

  • Engine & cooling
    250%
  • Other / not specified
    125%
  • Wheels & tires
    125%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~36,000 miles
    125%

Share of the 4 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

BMW 328i complaints by model year

’96’97’98’99’00’01’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’1631252698112439923919315557713025715212557
Owner complaints per model year, BMW 328i. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best 328i years: 2006, 2001, 2016. Years to avoid: 2011, 2007, 2013, 2009, 2014. Compare all years →

2001 BMW 328i recalls (3)

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 21V-401 · May 27, 2021 · 4,511 vehicles

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.

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.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 20V-018 · Jan 15, 2020 · 292,948 vehiclesDo not drive

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

NHTSA recall 19V-853 · Nov 26, 2019 · 74,185 vehicles

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.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2001 BMW 328i a good car?

Based on 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 328i rates better than average: 91% fewer complaints than a typical year of the 328i at the same age. It is one of the best 328i years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 BMW 328i?

The engine & cooling — 2 complaints, 50% of all complaints for this model year, most often about cooling system. Next are the wheels & tires (1) and transmission & drivetrain (1).

How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 328i have?

There are 3 recalls for the 2001 BMW 328i, the most recent from May 27, 2021 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the BMW 328i?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2006, 2001 and 2016. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011, 2007, 2013, 2009 and 2014. See the full BMW 328i years comparison.

At what mileage do 2001 BMW 328i problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 36,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

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.