NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2000–2005

BMW 325iT recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 8 owner complaints for the BMW 325iT, covering model years 2000 to 2005. The 2001 model year drew the most complaints (4), and Suspension is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your BMW 325iT VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

5 recall campaigns on file
8 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
6 model years with data (2000–2005)

most complaints: 2001 (4 for that model year)
top component: Suspension (3 complaints)
latest recall 20V018000 (reported Jan 15, 2020)

0 complaints reporting a crash (0.0%)
0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
0 complaints reporting an injury (0.0%)
0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

BMW 325iT complaints by model year

3 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2001 model year has the most complaints: 4 of 8, or 50.0%. Next come 2003 (3) and 2004 (1).

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years

BMW 325iT complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death

BMW 325iT complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model year	Complaints	Reporting a crash	Reporting a fire	Reporting an injury	Reporting a death
2001	4	0	0	0	0
2003	3	0	0	0	0
2004	1	0	0	0	0
All model years	8	0	0	0	0

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported BMW 325iT components

top 8 · NHTSA categories

Suspension is the component named most often, in 3 complaints (37.5% of all 8), followed by Air Bags (2) and Electrical System (2).

Components named most often in BMW 325iT complaints (top 8)

Components named most often in BMW 325iT complaints (top 8)
Component	Complaints	Share of complaints
Suspension	3	37.5%
Air Bags	2	25.0%
Electrical System	2	25.0%
Steering	2	25.0%
Engine	1	12.5%
Fuel System, Gasoline	1	12.5%
Unknown or Other	1	12.5%
Visibility/Wiper	1	12.5%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

BMW 325iT recalls

5 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name 325iT, newest first. The 5 campaigns cover model years 2000 to 2005. The 2001 model year appears in the most campaigns (4).

5 recall campaigns
2 “Do Not Drive” advisories

BMW 325iT recall campaigns covering each model year
2000: 2 campaigns	2001: 4 campaigns	2002: 2 campaigns	2003: 2 campaigns	2004: 1 campaign	2005: 1 campaign

Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

NHTSA campaign 20V018000
Reported Jan 15, 2020
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module
Model years 2000–2005
NHTSA “Do Not Drive” advisory: affected vehicles should not be driven until the recall repair is done.
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 as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
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.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC
NHTSA campaign 19V853000
Reported Nov 26, 2019
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module
Model years 2000–2001
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. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Consequence:
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
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.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC
NHTSA campaign 13V172000
Reported May 2, 2013
Air Bags
Model years 2002–2003
NHTSA “Do Not Drive” advisory: affected vehicles should not be driven until the recall repair is done.
BMW is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans; 325Ci and 330Ci coupes and convertibles; 325iT and 325xiT Sports Wagons; and M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Consequence:
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with 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 intends to issue initial notifications to owners informing them of the safety defect in June 2013. Once replacement parts are available, estimated for July, BMW will notify owners again to contact their dealers and schedule a replacement of the passenger air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC
NHTSA campaign 02V138000
Reported May 16, 2002
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan
Model year 2001
On certain passenger vehicles, the engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.
Consequence:
If this were to occur, engine overheating and subsequent engine damage could result. In addition, it is possible for the failure of the electrical circuitry to cause a fire in the fan control unit located in the front of the engine compartment.
Remedy:
Dealers will replace the fan. Owner notification began September 28, 2001. This is a supplement to a recall that began during September 2001 (see recall campaign 01V206). 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 1-800-831-1117.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC
NHTSA campaign 01V206000
Reported Jun 21, 2001
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan
Model year 2001
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.
Consequence:
If this were to occur, engine overheating and subsequent engine damage could result. In addition, it is possible for the failure of the electrical circuitry to cause a fire in the fan control unit located in the front of the engine compartment.
Remedy:
Dealers will replace the fan. Owner notification began September 28, 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 1-800-831-1117.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means

What each recall field means
Field	What it tells you
Campaign number	NHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
Component	The system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
Summary	What the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
Consequence	The safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
Remedy	What the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.

Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

BMW 325iT questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the BMW 325iT have?

NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recall campaigns for the BMW 325iT, covering model years 2000 to 2005. The most recent, 20V018000, was reported on January 15, 2020 and is filed under “Air bags”. The 2001 model year is covered by the most campaigns (4).

Which BMW 325iT model year has the most complaints?

The 2001 model year, with 4 of the 8 complaints in NHTSA’s file (50.0%). The next are 2003 (3) and 2004 (1). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common BMW 325iT complaint?

Suspension is the component named most often: 3 complaints, or 37.5% of all 8. Air Bags (2) and Electrical System (2) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my BMW 325iT?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a BMW dealer.

How many BMW 325iT complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 8 complaints, 0 report a crash, 0 a fire, 0 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

8 models · most complaints first

The BMW models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the BMW VIN decoder with every BMW model page, WMI code and VIN note.

BMW X5 1999–2026 · 103 recalls · 3,138 complaints
BMW 328i 1996–2016 · 27 recalls · 2,576 complaints
BMW X3 2004–2026 · 60 recalls · 1,989 complaints
BMW 325i 1995–2012 · 20 recalls · 1,281 complaints
BMW Z4 2002–2023 · 28 recalls · 1,280 complaints
BMW 3 Series 1995–2023 · 8 recalls · 841 complaints
BMW 528i 1997–2016 · 14 recalls · 831 complaints
BMW 330i 1999–2026 · 38 recalls · 813 complaints

All BMW models and WMI codes Look up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.