The Lemon Index2001 BMW 3 Series.
The 2001 BMW 3 Series is worse than average by owner complaints: 139 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 127, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 8 recalls, and it gets 19 to 21 mpg combined. The best BMW 3 Series year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 519 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every BMW 3 Series year. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 64K to 146K miles on the car (305 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 59K–152K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 23K–83K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 93K–142K miles
Recalls 8
- airbags 2021
These vehicles are equipped with driver-side air bag inflators that were previously inspected, but not replaced under recall numbers 19V-851, 19V852, or 19V-853.
- airbags 2020
These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temp.
- airbags 2019
These vehicles may have received a replacement driver air bag as part of a vehicle repair.
Show all 8 recalls
- airbags 2018
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 injur…
- brakes 2007
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUI…
- engine 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED.
- engine 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- wheels 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems BMW told dealers about
BMW sent dealers 23 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the…
- Fuel level sensor repairs
- Special Technical Campaign
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3800–4200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
The service engine soon light had come on intermittent.
2001 BMW 3 Series owner · NHTSA complaint 566959
More owner reports
Vehicle overheated 2 days before it caughton fire. Vehicle was going 30 mph when consumer smelled smoke pulling into driveway. Dealer has heard of problem, and looking at vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 891479
I hit a pothole in my 2001 BMW 330i at about 40 mph and my tire ruptured. My passenger side head restraint airbag deployed along with the drivers side seat belt tensioners.
NHTSA complaint 10064427
Quick answers
Is the 2001 BMW 3 Series reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.3× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 127; 100 is average, lower is better). The best BMW 3 Series year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2001 BMW 3 Series problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (38%), airbags (19%) and tires (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 3 Series have?
8 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 BMW 3 Series get?
19 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2001 BMW 3 Series problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 64,800 and 146,200 miles. The middle report was at 104,000 miles, from 305 complaints.
Does the 2001 BMW 3 Series have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2001 BMW 3 Series cost in fuel a year?
About $3800 to $4200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 BMW 3 Series have?
2.5L 6-cyl.
What BMW 3 Series year is better than the 2001?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2019 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works