Problems · by component
2001 BMW 3 Series structure problems
30 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2001 BMW 3 Series cite structure, 7% of all 457 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
30
7% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
What owners say about the structure
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“WHEN SHIFTED TO REVERSE ENGINE RPMS WENT WIDEOPEN CAUSING IT TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL FROM OUR DRIVEWAY INTO MOBILEHOME ACROSS FROM ME THEN INTO A VAN AND SHOVED IT INTO ANOTHER MOBILEHOME”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY THE DRIVERS SIDE DOORS WOULD OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE USING THE KEY FOB. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. *TT*JB CONSUMER STATED FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE.*JB”
“VEHICLE WINDOW REGULATORS HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR PASSENGER AND DRIVERS WINDOWS (REGULATORS WERE CHEAP). DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED. PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS FAILING. PASSENGER HEADLIGHT FELL OUT. REAR BRAKE LIGHTS NEED CONSTANT REPAIR. IF ONE COMPLETELY FILLS UP THE GAS TANK, GAS FUMES WILL BE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. AIR CONDITIONING FAN NEEDED REPLACEMENT. WATER PUMP FAILED. INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED REPLACEMENT.”
“THE RUBBER OR SEALS AROUND MY WINDSHIELD HAS DETERIORATED BADLY AS WELL AS SIDE WINDOWS TO. IT SHOULD BE THE COMPANY'S RESPONSIBILTY TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM AS SO MANY OTHER BMW OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE IT'S AN OBVIOUS DEFECT FOR THIS MODEL. ALSO THE CLEAR COAT OF THE PAINT ON THIS MODEL HAS PEELED REALLY BAD. IF SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THESE ISSUES IT'S AN OBVIOUS RECALL. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER BMW. TAKE CARE OF YOUR CUSTOMERS. 2001 BMW 330 CI”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STATIONARY, ALL OF THE DOORS LOCKED FROM THE INSIDE AND THE CONTACT AND HIS FAMILY COULD NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT AND HIS FAMILY REQUIRED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.”
“SUPPORT STRAP FOR GAS TANK BROKE OFF ON PASSENGER SIDE AND WAS DRAGGING ON GROUND. VEHICLE WAS IN RESIDENTIAL AREA AND MADE LOUD METAL DRAGGING NOISE. THE WELDS BROKE AWAY FROM THE FRAME LEAVING THE GAS TANK UNSUPPORTED ON PASSENGER SIDE. DEFINITE FUEL FIRE HAZARD CAR IS NOW IN DRIVEWAY UNTIL REPAIR. THIS IS MY COMMUTER CAR AND DEALER SHOULD FIX. HOW IS A GAS TANK SUPPORTED BY WELDS THAT SIMPLY BREAK? DESIGN FLAW..”
Showing 6 of 30 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.