2001 BMW 325I. Attorney writes on behalf of clients regarding vehicle recall repairs when the vehicle reached 140,000 miles it began running unusually loud while driving 45 mph. In addition, the vehicle began making an intermittent beeping sound. According to an invoice, the previous owner had the vehicle inspected, but the repairs were declined. The consumer would like to exercise his right to have the recall remedied due to the vehicle potentially catching on fire. Recall numbers 01V206000 and 02V138000 were mentioned in the letter. Updated 05/12/11.

- Columbia, SC, USA

The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325I. While driving at 45 mph, the fans began running unusually loud. The contact stated that the engine was also extremely loud. The vehicle would also make a beeping sound intermittently. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The failure mileage was 140,000 and the current mileage was 160,000.

- Wedgefield, SC, USA

Recall date: 09-28-2001 units potentially affected: 1,550 NHTSA campaign number: 02V138000 defective part or component: Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan description: 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. 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. 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 01V20 ). this vehicle was sold to me 03-2004 with the above problems documented by several service repair shops. I begin having problems with the car the next month after purchase. The problems have been overheating because of the fan motor not functioning properly. I was not advised by the dealership that sold me the car of NHTSA recalls for safety issues and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. Last year the car overheated and BMW in duluth, ga advised on my service order vehicle unsafe to drive. I have had multiple repairs only to know have a completely damaged engine and filed transmission as of 6-11-09. After researching the matter I am contacting your Agency for assistance the car is not running and now is completely damaged engine and transmission, along with thermostat, air injections, spark plugs and oxygen sensor needing to be replaced. It has been noted.

- Oakland, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2001 BMW 330xi. The contact stated that the engine fan does not shut off and has drained the battery. The battery was replaced, but the fan still does not shut off when the vehicle is turned off and the key is removed. He turned the vehicle off and removed the key, but the engine fan was still running an hour later. The contact currently disconnects the fan when he parks and plugs it back up when he is ready to drive the vehicle. NHTSA recall number 01V206000 (engine and engine cooling: Cooling system fan) does not apply to his VIN. The current and failure mileages were 105,300. The consumer stated the vehicle caught on fire. He noticed smoje coming from the engine. Updated 09/26/07.

- New York, NY, USA

Consumer states that while driving car would overheat.engine fan fell off vehicle. Dealer notified.

- Southington, CT, USA

Recall 01 V 206 002/engine auxilary cooling fan: Vehicle overheated on four occasions. Vehicle had been to dealer, but problem still occurring. Feel free to provide any further information.

- New York, NY, USA

I had been driving my car for about 2 hours on the interstate with the coolant temperature gauge "dead center" as it always is. I stopped the car at a store and left the car running for about 5 minutes. As I proceeded back toward the interstate through some stop and go traffic for about 5 minutes, I noticed the temperature gauge in the "red zone" and the red indicator was illuminated. I pulled to the side of the entrance ramp, kept the car idling and cranked the heat up. The gauge went down a little bit. I stopped the car for about 1 minute, started it, and then accelerated toward another exit in order to be in a safer place. The gauge went directly back to "dead center" so I continued driving and the gauge stayed there for the next 2 hours. The outside temperature was in the mid-60S and the air conditioning was on before and after this incident. The same thing happened the following day in stop-and-go traffic, but I noticed the gauge rising this time. I shut off the air conditioning and engine for a few seconds, turned them back on and at the same time accelerated to a cruising speed. The gauge returned to "dead center" and stayed there for the next 20 minutes of highway driving. When I returned home from my trip, I took the car to the BMW dealer, and they replaced the auxiliary cooling fan. I understand that there is a recall on this part, and BMW has sent very few or no letters to customers because a truly countermeasured part is not available yet. I fear that the new fan installed in my car could very well be a suspect part and may result in an underhood fire, as reported by other customers at NHTSA.gov as well as other web sites. I'm not sure if this is related, but a few months ago, I had the thermostat replaced for a "sticking" condition that was causing the "service engine soon" light to illuminate. At the same time, they replaced the fan for the first time for the recall. 2001 BMW 325I manual transmission.

- Hilliard, OH, USA

Recall 01 V 206 002/auxiliary cooling fan : cooling fan had to be replaced on two occasions due to failure. Problem reoccurred, and vehicle back in shop for third time, all of this within six months. Feel free to povide any further information.

- Havenhill, MA, USA

Day after purchasing vehicle engine cooling fan failed, allowing engine to overheat. This resulted in a fire, 8" flame in engine compartment. Dealership replaced engine cooling fan. However, fan failed again, and engine coolant was found to be all over the engine compartment, unknown if a fire occurred in the second incident. Please provide any additional information / attachments.

- Westbury, NY, USA

This is the third cooling fan to fail in this car. When the fan fails the car becomes inoperable and boils over quickly.the last fan was the "second generation" fan and was a replacement design for the original fan design. Now I am told there is a "third generation" fan being built. The car now qualifies as a "lemon" under Washington state law. There still is no recall notice to consumers driving these cars. Last breakdown was late at night in an unsafe area. This is my second complaint to nhsta.

- Gig Harbor, WA, USA

Consumer states upon parking vehicle, he noticed smoke emitting from the bottom of the motor, vehicle caught on fire and was shortly put out by the fire department, the cause of the fire was determined to be that the electric cooling fan shorted out and its speed probably knocked out the sensor that transmits information to the dashboard warning lights.jb

- Cambridge, MA, USA

Overheated in its first encounter with light stop & go traffic. No recall notice from BMW, supposedly because of a shortage of replacement fan units.

- Flanders, NJ, USA

Defective coolant fan caused overheating at less than 1000 miles and while sitting in a parking lot. Dealer said BMW was aware that there were defective fans and replaced the fan with the same type of defective fan. On 7/29/01 while sitting in traffic the car overheated again and the engine coolant light came on. As traffic moved, car cooled but engine coolant light stayed on. Car towed to dealer for replacement fan.

- Saugus, MA, USA

Consumer states upon parking vehicle, he noticed smoke emitting from the bottom of the motor, the fire department was called and the fire was put out, the cause of the fire was determined to be that the electric cooling fan shorted out and its speed probably knocked out the sensor that transmits information to the dashboard warning lights.

- Cambridge, MA, USA

Recall 01V206000; vehicle was stopped in traffic at a light, and it overheated, heavy steam was coming off engine and temperature gauge was at the red. Tow truck driver stated he towed vehicle for weeks because of fan overheating. BMW dealer currenty has vehicle waitng for parts.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

The car has overheated twice. It was not driveable and was towed to dealer where I purchased it. They claim it was a malfunctioning fan, and the part was replaced twice.

- Thornwood, NY, USA

Auxiliary fan stopped and engine overheated during regular driving.

- La Palma, CA, USA

Auxiliary cooling fan problem caused engine overheating. Overheating broke engine thermostat & thermostat housing.

- San Diego, CA, USA

Consumer parked vehicle in garage at work. 5 minutes later, consumer was called downstairs, and told engine vehicle on fire. Front part was totaled. Cooling fan and other electrical wires were possible cause of fire.

- Mami, FL, USA

While on the highway, consumer states vehicle overheated, vehicle was towed to dealership and consumer was told that manufacturer was aware of the problem with the fan in which caused the vehicle to overheat, consumer was also advised that part was on back order.

- Woodcliff, NJ, USA