2001 BMW M3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
20
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2001 BMW M3
The 2001 BMW M3 has received a total of 20 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (2 complaints), Power Traindrivelinedriveshaft (2 complaints), and Suspension (2 complaints).
Recalls for the 2001 BMW M3
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2001 BMW M3, potentially affecting up to 1,099,510 vehicles.
Recall 20V018000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 292,948 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 17V047000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 230,117 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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,...
View full details →Recall 14V428000 — AIR BAGS
| 574,007 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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....
View full details →Recall 01V245000 — PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE
| 2,438 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2001 BMW M3
20 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 BMW M3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Traindrivelinedriveshaft | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagssidewindow | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkages | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Parking Brakeconventionalmechanicallinkage And Cable | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainclutch Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainmanual Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodybumpers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspensionrear | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
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. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
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 ABOUT THE DEFECT SO IT COULD BE FIXED. THEY NEVER INFORMED ME OF DEFECT AND HAVE STALED ON THE REPAIR.
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 ABOUT THE DEFECT SO IT COULD BE FIXED. THEY NEVER INFORMED ME OF DEFECT AND HAVE STALED ON THE REPAIR.
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 ABOUT THE DEFECT SO IT COULD BE FIXED. THEY NEVER INFORMED ME OF DEFECT AND HAVE STALED ON THE REPAIR.
View all Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline complaints →
Safety Rating for the 2001 BMW M3
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2001 BMW M3 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2001 BMW M3
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2001 BMW M3
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW M3
- 1996 BMW M3 — 1 complaint
- 1997 BMW M3 — 28 complaints
- 1998 BMW M3 — 18 complaints
- 1999 BMW M3 — 13 complaints
- 2000 BMW M3 — 0 complaints
- 2001 BMW M3 (current)
- 2002 BMW M3 — 48 complaints
- 2003 BMW M3 — 68 complaints
- 2004 BMW M3 — 36 complaints
- 2005 BMW M3 — 12 complaints
- 2006 BMW M3 — 14 complaints