Bmw M3 2001
Model M3 made in 2001 by Bmw got 20 consumer complains there is 1 recall as well as 12 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to air bags, engine and engine cooling and parking brake. Technical service bulletines regarding electrical system, engine and engine cooling and exterior lighting. There was one recall concerning parking brake . The car has one 3.2, guzzler engine.
Model 2001
| Engine [L] | Cylinders | Transmission | Drive | Estimate MPG (city/highway/combined) | Unadjusted MPG (city/highway/combined) | Fuel | Fuel cost | Class | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2, Guzzler | 6 | Manual, 6 gears | R | 16/23/18 | 17,5000/29,5431/21,4314 | Premium | 1293 | MINICOMPACT CARS | |
| 3.2, Guzzler | 6 | Manual, 6 gears | R | 16/24/19 | 18,0000/30,9000/22,1638 | Premium | 1223 | SUBCOMPACT CARS |
Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PARKING BRAKE - CONVENTIONAL - MECHANICAL - LINKAGE AND CABLE | ||||||||||||||||
| 01V245000 | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE | from 10/01/2000 to 05/21/2001 | V (Vehicle) | 2438 | 10/04/2001 | MFR | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE | 07/31/2001 | 07/31/2001 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | 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 Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | 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 1-800-831-1117. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236). | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||||
| 120204 | 02/01/2006 | 122405 | 10012783 | Bremi ignition coil replacement on s54 engine. this service bulletin supersedes si120803 dated may 2004. *eh *sc | 03/28/2005 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - SOFTWARE | |||||
| SI-B12-22-08 | 10/01/2009 | 10032574 | Bmw: voluntary emissions recall 08e-a03; m3 s54-dme reprogramming for catalyst conversion diagnosis. the dme programming, as originally installed, may cause the obd diagnostic to erroneously evaluate the efficiency of the catalytic conver | 04/14/2010 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||||
| SI-B11-07-09 | 08/01/2009 | 10030850 | Bmw: thermostat housing inspection. the retaining springs of the thermostat housing quick release couplings for the coolant hoses may not be locked correctly. this situation may result in a coolant leak. models affected are m3 sedan (e | 12/09/2009 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - HOSE | |||||
| SI-B11-07-09 | 08/01/2009 | 10030850 | Bmw: thermostat housing inspection. the retaining springs of the thermostat housing quick release couplings for the coolant hoses may not be locked correctly. this situation may result in a coolant leak. models affected are m3 sedan (e | 12/09/2009 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | |||||
| 110601 | 10/01/2001 | 626476 | Subject regarding engine oil viscosity change. *jg | 12/14/2001 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL | |||||
| SI-B12-22-08 | 04/01/2009 | 10029304 | Bmw: as originally installed, the dme programming may cause the obd diagnostic to erroneously evaluate the efficiency of the catalytic converters. model e46 (m3) coupe and convertibles. *pe | 07/06/2009 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - CATALYTIC CONVERTOR | |||||
| SI-B12-22-08 | 10/01/2009 | 10032574 | Bmw: voluntary emissions recall 08e-a03; m3 s54-dme reprogramming for catalyst conversion diagnosis. the dme programming, as originally installed, may cause the obd diagnostic to erroneously evaluate the efficiency of the catalytic conver | 04/14/2010 | |
| SI-B12-22-08 | 04/01/2009 | 10029304 | Bmw: as originally installed, the dme programming may cause the obd diagnostic to erroneously evaluate the efficiency of the catalytic converters. model e46 (m3) coupe and convertibles. *pe | 07/06/2009 | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | |||||
| SIB-63-02-01 | 08/01/2010 | 10037025 | Ready | 04/27/2011 | |
| SIB-63-02-01 | 08/01/2010 | 10037025 | Bmw: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty. *rm | 04/27/2011 | |
| SUSPENSION - REAR - AXLE - NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY | |||||
| SIB-33-01-02 | 07/01/2011 | 10040853 | Ready | 09/13/2011 | |
| SIB-33-01-02 | 07/01/2011 | 10040853 | Bmw: a grinding noise is coming from the differential during slow cornering. when turning a slip/stick effect is created on the lining and steel discs incorporated in the differential clutch causes a grinding noise. *rm | 09/13/2011 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS - SIDE/WINDOW | |||
| 07/20/2002 | 15000 | 1 | |
| While driving vehicle grazed the curb and the driver's side air bag deployed. as a result, driver's visibility was impaired, and vehicle crashed into a cement wall. no injuries reported. *ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 11/25/2002 | 21000 | 1 | 06/30/2002 |
| The engine of the bmw 2001 m3 had serious engine failures. the request from the bmw dealership on explaination was rejected, nor was there any explaination from the consumer relations of bmw na. the failure was convered under warranty but i was told my vehicle was the only abnormal car in thousands that were sold. from my research there were more than 100 documented cases of the new e46 m3 engine having problems ranging from crankshaft failure to full engine detonation and oil spillage. bmw should be required to compensate owners of a $60k car in the decrease in value of the car and also have extended warranty for ongoing problems (there are complaints that new replaced engines also experienced the same problems). there is a very high chance a deadly accident could occur if i did not notice the problem early, ranging from oil spills to fire. bmw is neglecting the owners of this vehicle by not notifying them when first signs of problems occur. ironically bmw does know there is a problem because they have replaced all the parts in the new engine while keeping quiet to current consumers, also mechanics have been told to replace parts while working in the area of the engine w/o telling consumers. mechanics at the bmw dealership has had my vehicle for over a month, with no visible signs of progress. | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | |||
| 12/05/2002 | |||
| Consumer called complaining about having problem with the vehicle stalling while driving the vehicle . dealer has been notified. mr. athary please provide the potential failure of the engine on this vehicle. ts | |||
| 02/13/2002 | 24 | 04/01/2001 | |
| Bmw m3 enignes are blowing up at an alarming rate. manufc claims overrev. which is not true . too many failures. bmw is in cover up by making us sign cofidetial/and no sue agreements. many owners suffering lossesand no coop. from manu. or dealers. please help.!!!!. *ak | |||
| PARKING BRAKE - CONVENTIONAL - MECHANICAL - LINKAGE AND CABLE | |||
| 05/19/2002 | 1 | 07/14/2001 | |
| While driving at 30 mph passenger's rear tire locked up, and consumer heard a loud grinding noise when driving, there was recall (01v245000) for this problem, but this vehicle was not included in that recall. contacted dealer. *ak there was a bolt sticking through the right rear brake assembly. the parking brake was loose and grinding and the parking brake assembly was replaced. the rear bumper was damaged on lot. *yh | |||
| POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | |||
| 04/01/2001 | |||
| My car exhibits a loud clunking in the rear of the car when shifting, going on/off gas and from releasing the clutch at slow speeds. the severity is increasing with mileage. the service center that i am using: burdick bmw, 3904 brewerton rd., n. syracuse ny 13212, 315-458-7590 has been unable to fix the car. i have begun receiving reports from other owners of this problem ultimately leading to the failure of the driveshaft attachment at the differential on their cars. this is very concerning to me and i cannot help but worry about the serious safety risks associated with this problem. | |||
| POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DRIVESHAFT | |||
| 05/01/2001 | |||
| Lots of common complaints on internet site www.bimmer.org e46m3 post board. no safety defect listed. *ak | |||
| 04/01/2001 | |||
| My car exhibits a loud clunking in the rear of the car when shifting, going on/off gas and from releasing the clutch at slow speeds. the severity is increasing with mileage. the service center that i am using: burdick bmw, 3904 brewerton rd., n. syracuse ny 13212, 315-458-7590 has been unable to fix the car. i have begun receiving reports from other owners of this problem ultimately leading to the failure of the driveshaft attachment at the differential on their cars. this is very concerning to me and i cannot help but worry about the serious safety risks associated with this problem. | |||
| POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION | |||
| 10/26/2004 | 46710 | 6 | 08/21/2004 |
| My m3 cic makes a loud grinding/clatter type noise when disengaging the 6-speed manual clutch in both 1st and reverse. this happens when the car is moving at about 1-2 mph. bmw tech's say this is normal operation, however, i can't duplicate the same problem on a new m3 w/6 speed transmission. *jb | |||
| STRUCTURE | |||
| 06/13/2011 | 78311 | ||
| Normal driving has weakened the sub-frame to the point where it has cracked and separated from the chassis | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - BUMPERS | |||
| 05/19/2002 | 1 | 07/14/2001 | |
| While driving at 30 mph passenger's rear tire locked up, and consumer heard a loud grinding noise when driving, there was recall (01v245000) for this problem, but this vehicle was not included in that recall. contacted dealer. *ak there was a bolt sticking through the right rear brake assembly. the parking brake was loose and grinding and the parking brake assembly was replaced. the rear bumper was damaged on lot. *yh | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||
| 09/08/2010 | 54000 | ||
| Left rear suspension spring broke with only about 50k miles. resulted in noise, poor suspension control over bumps. repair shop is replacing with a new one. | |||
| VISIBILITY | |||
| 03/01/2009 | 45000 | 1 | |
| Automatic dimming rear view mirror developed a bubble, which itself impeded rear view vision, and stopped dimming effectively, making night time driving difficult and dangerous. *tr | |||
Car dealers selling
| State | City | Zip | Name | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA | ONTARIO | 91761 | SAVAGE BMW | 909-390-7888 |