Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
50–25K
525–50K
1050–75K
1175–100K
23100–150K
19150K+
73 reports with mileage · 63 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports7 fire reports9 injury reports
What owners actually said
136 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2001
Power TrainCrash
ON NOVEMBER 1, 2000, I HAD A U.S. AIR FORCE APPOINTMENT IN THE U.S. PENTAGON IN WASHINGTON, DC. I PROCEEDED TO LEAVE IN MY BMW 323I, WHICH I LEASE THROUGH PASSPORT BMW IN MARLOW HEIGHTS, MARYLAND. IT WAS A DREARY DAY, THUS, I TURNED ON THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS AFTER STARTING THE IGNITION. I PLACED THE VEHICLE'S GEAR IN REVERSE…
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ON NOVEMBER 1, 2000, I HAD A U.S. AIR FORCE APPOINTMENT IN THE U.S. PENTAGON IN WASHINGTON, DC. I PROCEEDED TO LEAVE IN MY BMW 323I, WHICH I LEASE THROUGH PASSPORT BMW IN MARLOW HEIGHTS, MARYLAND. IT WAS A DREARY DAY, THUS, I TURNED ON THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS AFTER STARTING THE IGNITION. I PLACED THE VEHICLE'S GEAR IN REVERSE AND PROCEEDED TO BACK OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY, AND WITH GREAT VELOCITY, SPED BACKWARDS. I IMMEDIATELY PRESSED THE BRAKES PREVENTING AN ACCIDENT. I TRIED THIS TIME TO GO FORWARD AND THE CAR SPED FORWARDS BACK INTO THE SPACE I ORIGINALLY BACKED OUT OF. I WAS QUITE SHAKEN-UP AND COMPLETELY ANALYZED THE VEHICLE AND MY OPERATION OF IT ENSURING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #742160
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2001
Air BagsSteeringCrashInjury
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 20MPH ON HIGHWAY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A CURB. AND HIS HEAD HIT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. BECAUSE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AT ALL. BUT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #881330
Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2001
Tires
TREAD ON ALL FOUR TIRES SEPARATING AND PEELING, CONTINENTAL CONTITOURING CONTACT, 20555R16, DOT # ACOF 3FW. *CJ
NHTSA ODI #558894
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2001
Electrical SystemInterior LightingSeat Belts
FAULTY FRONT AND REAR PADS AND SENSORS CAUSED THE BRAKE LINING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, THE BRAKES ALSO GRAB. NLM
NHTSA ODI #558776
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2000
Tires
ALL CONTINENTAL GENERAL TIRES WERE REPLACED DUE TO CRACKING AND SPLITTING, THE CONSUMER REPLACED ALL THE TIRES AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #557730
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2000
Tires
ALL 5 ORIGINAL TIRES HAD SIDEWALL SPLITTING/HERNIATION (INCLUDING THE SPARE), OTHER INSTANCES WERE REPORTED TO ME BY PEAKE BMW (I.E. 15 TO 20 OTHER SETS OF TIRES WERE REPLACED FOR A DISCOUNT AS UNDER WARRANTY). I AM CONCERNED BY THESE NUMBERS AND THE FACT THAT THEY WILL NOT PAY 100% TO REPLACE THE TIRES. I AM ALSO CONCERNED AS…
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ALL 5 ORIGINAL TIRES HAD SIDEWALL SPLITTING/HERNIATION (INCLUDING THE SPARE), OTHER INSTANCES WERE REPORTED TO ME BY PEAKE BMW (I.E. 15 TO 20 OTHER SETS OF TIRES WERE REPLACED FOR A DISCOUNT AS UNDER WARRANTY). I AM CONCERNED BY THESE NUMBERS AND THE FACT THAT THEY WILL NOT PAY 100% TO REPLACE THE TIRES. I AM ALSO CONCERNED AS TO HOW THEY REPORT THIS DATA AND WHETHER THEY ARE COLLECTING THE DATA IN A MANNER SUFFICIENT TO DETERMINE WHETHER A RECALL IS WARRANTED.*AK (DOT NUMBER: 205 TIRESIZE: 205/55R16C)
NHTSA ODI #735700
Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2000
Air BagsCrashInjury
ON A CLEAR NIGHT I WAS TURNING AND WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR BY A DRIVER TRAVELING BETWEEN 45-50 MPH. MY CAR WAS HIT AND NONE OF THE 6 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE RESULT: BACK INJURIES AND TIME AWAY FROM WORK
NHTSA ODI #735032
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2000
StructureInjury
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE IT WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE IMPACT RESULTED IN VEHICLE BEING CUT INTO TWO PIECES, (POSSIBLE STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS), THE ACCIDENT RESULTED IN 2 INJURIES AND ONE DEATH. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #557295
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2000
Tires
TIRE TREAD IS SEPERATING FROM TIRE. THERE ARE CRACKS ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRE. MFG WILL REPLACE TIRE(PRORATED) WITH THE SAME TIRE. HOWEVER I DON'T FEEL CONFORTABLE WITH THE SAME TIRE SINCE IT ONLY HAS 13000 MILES ON THE ONES THAT ARE ON THE CAR. I HAVE AN IN-LAW THAT HAS THE SAME CAR AND HIS TIRES ARE DOING THE SAME THING. I …
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TIRE TREAD IS SEPERATING FROM TIRE. THERE ARE CRACKS ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRE. MFG WILL REPLACE TIRE(PRORATED) WITH THE SAME TIRE. HOWEVER I DON'T FEEL CONFORTABLE WITH THE SAME TIRE SINCE IT ONLY HAS 13000 MILES ON THE ONES THAT ARE ON THE CAR. I HAVE AN IN-LAW THAT HAS THE SAME CAR AND HIS TIRES ARE DOING THE SAME THING. I HAVE TALKED WITH BOTH BMW OF NA AND GENERAL TIRE AND ASKED IF IT TAKES A FATALITY TO GET SOMETHING DONE. BMW IS NOT ACKNOLEDGING A PROBLEM AND GENERAL TIRE IS NOT WILLING TO WORK WITH THE CONSUMER. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P20555R16 )
NHTSA ODI #731014
Mileage unknown · May 2, 2000
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE CONSUMER HAS BEEN INSIDE OF VEHICLE TRYING TO TURN HEADLIGHTS TO HIGH BEAM VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. *AK *ML
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 BMW 3 Series (323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci and 330Ci), 1999-2001 323i, 328i, 330i, 330xi, and 2000 323i, 328i stationwagon vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata. 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. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to explode or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The inflator could explode during air bag deployment, resulting 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: Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag inflator with a newly designed inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 1999 323i and 328i vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata at one specific inflator production facility. These inflators do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Consequence & remedy
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: Dealers will inspect the driver air bag inflators and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: BMW recommends that owners do not continue to drive their vehicles.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 1999-2000 323i and 328i and 2000 323Ci and 328Ci vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata. These inflators do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Consequence & remedy
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 will mail interim notices informing owners of the safety risk on January 17, 2020. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Dealers will inspect the driver air bag inflators and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. BMW mailed interim notices informing owners of the safety risk on January 17, 2020. The recall began July 27, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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 & remedy
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.
ON CERTAIN 4-DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM COULD DEPLOY IN CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS, SUCH AS WHEN CONTACTING LARGE POTHOLES OR CURBS AT SUBSTANTIAL SPEEDS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE SIDE AIR BAG AND HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM TO DEPLOY WITHOUT AN ACTUAL SIDE CRASH OR IMPACT SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE SIGNIFICANT VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAG COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF THE OCCUPANT'S HEAD IS RESTING NEAR THE SIDE AIR BAG.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE CENTRAL AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH A NON-CRASH DEPLOYMENT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 25, 2002. 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE RETAINING CLIP THAT SECURES THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUSHROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM WAS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED DURING PRODUCTION. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE CLIP TO DETACH FROM THE PIN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM ALLOWING THE PUSHROD TO DISCONNECT FROM THE ARM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, BRAKING IS NOT POSSIBLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLIP FOR TIGHT INSTALLATION AND REPLACE THE CLIP IF IT IS LOOSE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH A SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM CONSISTING OF DOOR-MOUNTED THORAX AIR BAGS (REAR DOOR AIR BAGS ARE OPTIONAL), A HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM (HPS) FOR FRONT OCCUPANTS, A CENTRAL ELECTRONIC SENSOR AND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM, LEFT AND RIGHT SATELLITE IMPACT SENSORS, AND ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS SYSTEM IS UNDULY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS, SUCH AS CONTACTING LARGE POTHOLES OR CURBS AT SUBSTANTIAL SPEED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE SIDE AIR BAG AND HPS TO DEPLOY WITHOUT AN ACTUAL SIDE CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL (BST) WOULD ALSO ACTIVATE, DISCONNECTING THE STARTER CABLE FROM THE BATTERY. IN THIS CASE, VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE AND THE ENGINE WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN, BUT AFTER STOPPING, COULD NOT BE RESTARTED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE CENTRAL COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE THAT REGULATES THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL OF THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEMS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1999 BMW 323I Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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