RecallRepo

2001 BMW M3 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2001 BMW M3 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,099,510 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

AIR BAGS 20V018000 2020-01-15 292,948 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…

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.

AIR BAGS 14V428000 2018-06-11 574,007 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,…

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. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available,…

AIR BAGS 17V047000 2017-01-20 230,117 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…

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, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

PARKING BRAKE 01V245000 2001-07-31 2,438 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…

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…

Complaints by component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
2
SUSPENSION
2
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
1
1crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
1
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE
1
POWER TRAIN
1
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
1
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
1
Total complaints20

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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…”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS · reported 2018-07-03

“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…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2018-07-03

“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…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2016-02-27

“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…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2016-02-27

“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…”

WHEELS · reported 2016-02-27

“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. Possible failure of lock actuator without warning or failure of gm5 module *tr”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2014-08-04

“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. Possible failure of lock actuator without warning or failure of gm5 module *tr”

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES · reported 2014-08-04

“Normal driving has weakened the sub-frame to the point where it has cracked and separated from the chassis. *tr”

STRUCTURE · reported 2011-06-13
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2001 BMW M3 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.