IllustrationWELL KNOWN, YET UNACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM WITH BMW 3 SERIES' TRANSMISSIONS. THE PROBLEM BEGAN WITH A FAILURE TO ENGAGE IN REVERSE. THE SOLUTION IS TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION WITH A COST OF OVER $5000. *TR
2000 BMW 323I
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 323I years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
130–25K
2525–50K
5950–75K
8175–100K
86100–150K
34150K+
298 reports with mileage · 103 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.
- Power Train. Review the 235 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports2 fire reports17 injury reports
Power Train complaints
235 reportsI WAS PARKED FACING DOWNHILL IN MY 2000 BMW 323CI WHEN I SELECTED REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT. THE REVERSE GEAR DID NOT ENGAGE AND THE CAR ROLLED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY STRIKING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. FORTUNATELY, DAMAGE WAS INCONSEQUENTIAL (A FEW SCRATCHES/SCUFFS), BUT HAD THERE BEEN A PERSON IN FRONT OF ME, THAT PE…
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I WAS PARKED FACING DOWNHILL IN MY 2000 BMW 323CI WHEN I SELECTED REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT. THE REVERSE GEAR DID NOT ENGAGE AND THE CAR ROLLED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY STRIKING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. FORTUNATELY, DAMAGE WAS INCONSEQUENTIAL (A FEW SCRATCHES/SCUFFS), BUT HAD THERE BEEN A PERSON IN FRONT OF ME, THAT PERSON WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE REVERSE GEAR HAS FAILED COMPLETELY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING. MY BMW DEALER SAYS THE CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AT 60K MILES! *TR
THE TRANSMISSION OF MY 2000 BMW 323I FAILED TO REVERSE WITHOUT ANY WARNING EVEN THROUGH ALL THE RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SERVICE HAVE BEEN DONE. *TR
REVERSE SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING ON 2000 BMW 323I. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOR A SOLUTION, I DISCOVERED IT IS A WIDESPREAD AND COMMON PROBLEM, THUS MY COMPLAINT. SUCH A KNOW ISSUE SHOULD INVOLVE A RECALL AND, BMW, THE COMPANY RESPONSIBLE SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO REMEDY THE DEFECT IN THEIR PRODUCT. *TR
MY 2000 BMW 323I HAS 98.5K MILES ON IT. AFTER WORKING PERFECTLY FINE IT HAS NOW FAILED TO GO IN THE REVERSE GEAR. IT USES AN AUTOMATIC ZF 5HP19 TRANSMISSION. UPON TAKING IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND TALKING TO OTHER BMW OWNERS IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON MECHANICAL FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO FAULTY WORKMANSHIP. I SERVICE TH…
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MY 2000 BMW 323I HAS 98.5K MILES ON IT. AFTER WORKING PERFECTLY FINE IT HAS NOW FAILED TO GO IN THE REVERSE GEAR. IT USES AN AUTOMATIC ZF 5HP19 TRANSMISSION. UPON TAKING IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND TALKING TO OTHER BMW OWNERS IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON MECHANICAL FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO FAULTY WORKMANSHIP. I SERVICE THIS CAR ON A REGULAR BASIS AND TAKE EXTREME CARE WITH IT IN ALL ASPECTS. MY COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO BMW NOT ISSUING A RECALL ON THIS PRODUCT WHEN IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE THE TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY. THE COST QUOTED TO ME FROM BMW IS $5500. BMW HAS LOST MY BUSINESS FOREVER. *TR
REVERSE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2000 BMW WENT OUT WITH ONLY 65K MILES. I ASKED BMW IF THERE WAS ANY RECORD OF THIS AND THEY SAID NONE. I THEN FOUND NOREVERSE.ORG. THIS IS A WEB SITE WITH OVER 1000 COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE FOR THE SAME PART ON THE SAME CARS MAKE AND MODEL. BMW CHARGED ME $100 TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. THEN GAVE…
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REVERSE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2000 BMW WENT OUT WITH ONLY 65K MILES. I ASKED BMW IF THERE WAS ANY RECORD OF THIS AND THEY SAID NONE. I THEN FOUND NOREVERSE.ORG. THIS IS A WEB SITE WITH OVER 1000 COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE FOR THE SAME PART ON THE SAME CARS MAKE AND MODEL. BMW CHARGED ME $100 TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. THEN GAVE ME AN EST OF $6K TO $8K TO REPAIR IT. THEY GAME ME NO OTHER OPTION. *TR
AUTOMATIC STEP-TRONIC TRANSMISSION REVERSE GEAR STOPPED WORKING. THIS REQUIRED A COMPLETE OVERHAUL OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS LIFETIME, AND THERE ARE NO SERVICE REQUIREMENTS. THE TRANSMISSION IS ORIGINAL AND WAS MANUFACTURED BY ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN FOR BMW. *TR
REVERSE GEAR STARTED NOT ENGAGING AND FINALLY HAS GIVEN OUT COMPLETELY. ALL OTHER GEARS WORK FINE AND ENGAGE PROPERLY. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN PROPERLY SERVICED AND MAINTAINED. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 93,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, AVERAGE FOR ITS' AGE. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING TO HAVE TO PUSH THIS OTHERWISE WONDERFUL CAR OUT OF OUR DRI…
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REVERSE GEAR STARTED NOT ENGAGING AND FINALLY HAS GIVEN OUT COMPLETELY. ALL OTHER GEARS WORK FINE AND ENGAGE PROPERLY. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN PROPERLY SERVICED AND MAINTAINED. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 93,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, AVERAGE FOR ITS' AGE. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING TO HAVE TO PUSH THIS OTHERWISE WONDERFUL CAR OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY! *TR
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2000 BMW 323I SEEMED TO BE GOING OUT SO I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC FOR MAINTENANCE BUT AFTER 3 WEEKS IT SEEMED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I LOOKED IT UP AND IT SEEMS THAT BMW CARS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I DON'T HAVE 6000 DOLLARS LAYING AROUND TO GET A NEW TRANS. NOW IM AFRAID THAT MINE WOULD GO OUT SOON. AND IM…
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THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2000 BMW 323I SEEMED TO BE GOING OUT SO I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC FOR MAINTENANCE BUT AFTER 3 WEEKS IT SEEMED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I LOOKED IT UP AND IT SEEMS THAT BMW CARS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I DON'T HAVE 6000 DOLLARS LAYING AROUND TO GET A NEW TRANS. NOW IM AFRAID THAT MINE WOULD GO OUT SOON. AND IM WONDERING WHY BMW IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT, NO RECALL?, NO HELP?, WHAT'S GOING ON?, I NEED ANSWERS. *TR
2000 BMW 323I NO REVERSE, NO POWER STEERING. *TR
Official recalls
721V401000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
May 27, 2021
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.
20V018000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 15, 2020
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 & remedy
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.
19V852000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Nov 26, 2019
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.
19V853000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Nov 26, 2019
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.
14V428000 · Air Bags
Jun 11, 2018
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in 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 will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
02V223000 · Air Bags:side/window
Aug 9, 2002
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.
00V048000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Feb 17, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMPS IN THESE VEHICLES ARE CONTROLLED BY A SWITCH ACTIVATED BY THE MOVEMENT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS SWITCH COULD FAIL INTERNALLY, CAUSING IT TO REMAIN EITHER IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS ON" POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WITH AN IMPROVED SWITCH.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.