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
What owners actually said
401 reports
138,000 miles · Mar 31, 2011
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 323I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FURTHER BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE STOPPED RESPONDING TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND ROLLED TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND UPON RESTART THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 323I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FURTHER BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE STOPPED RESPONDING TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND ROLLED TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND UPON RESTART THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 138,000.
NHTSA ODI #10393850
97,376 miles · Mar 19, 2011
Power Train
I PURCHASED A 2000 BMW 323I ON TUESDAY MARCH 14 FROM A PRIVATE OWNER WHO HAD METICULOUS RECORDS OF MAINTENANCE AND VEHICLE ONLY HAD 97K MILES. TWO DAYS LATER, THE "REVERSE" WENT OUT BUT THE OTHER GEARS WERE FINE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND SAID THAT I WOULD BE NEEDING A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE BMW DEALER IS GOING TO CHARGE…
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I PURCHASED A 2000 BMW 323I ON TUESDAY MARCH 14 FROM A PRIVATE OWNER WHO HAD METICULOUS RECORDS OF MAINTENANCE AND VEHICLE ONLY HAD 97K MILES. TWO DAYS LATER, THE "REVERSE" WENT OUT BUT THE OTHER GEARS WERE FINE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND SAID THAT I WOULD BE NEEDING A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE BMW DEALER IS GOING TO CHARGE ME $7000 TO FIX. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR 2 DAYS AND NOW IS NOT DRIVABLE. I WENT ONLINE TO SEARCH IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND WAS ASTONISHED TO SEE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM FOR THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. BMWNA IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. THIS IS CLEARLY A TRANSMISSION DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10392203
90,000 miles · Mar 15, 2011
Power Train
BMW 2000 323I. THE REVERSE WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING. WHAT THE HECK? HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN IN MASS WITH NO RECALL FROM BMW. HOW HAVE THEY GOTTEN AWAY WITH THIS IN THE USA? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10390205
138,000 miles · Mar 10, 2011
Power Train
2000 BMW 323I TRANSMISSION JUST STOPPED GOING INTO REVERSE. FORWARD GEARS WORK FINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10389790
98,500 miles · Mar 7, 2011
Power Train
NO REVERSE, TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE REVERSE GEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10386677
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2011
Power Train
MY 2000 323I BMW WON'T GO INTO REVERSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10386638
140,000 miles · Feb 12, 2011
Power Train
I OWN A 2000 323I W/140K MILES. I PULLED INTO A CONVENIENCE STORE (HEAD IN). UPON LEAVING, I PUT MY CAR INTO REVERSE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I THOUGHT MAYBE I ACCIDENTALLY PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, BUT NO. SO I PUT IT BACK INTO PARK, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND REMOVED THE KEY. I TRIED AGAIN WITH THE SAME RESULT. IT WOULD NOT GO INTO RE…
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I OWN A 2000 323I W/140K MILES. I PULLED INTO A CONVENIENCE STORE (HEAD IN). UPON LEAVING, I PUT MY CAR INTO REVERSE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I THOUGHT MAYBE I ACCIDENTALLY PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, BUT NO. SO I PUT IT BACK INTO PARK, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND REMOVED THE KEY. I TRIED AGAIN WITH THE SAME RESULT. IT WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. DRIVE WORKED JUST FINE. THERE WAS NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. NO LIGHTS, SOUNDS, OR INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG. I AM REALLY TICKED OFF. I HAD TO GET PUSHED BACK AND THEN I COULD DRIVE OFF. RECALL PLEASE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10381714
89,528 miles · Jan 19, 2011
Power Train
REVERSE STOPS WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10377130
65,000 miles · Jan 14, 2011
Structure
2000 BMW 323 4 DOOR SEDAN INSIDE FABRIC SEPARATING FROM WINDSHIELD COLUMN FRAME, FRONT AND BACK WINDSHIELDS. GLUE IS DEFECTIVE AND BMW WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR. IF FABRIC CONTINUES TO LIFT OFF WILL OBSTRUCT VIEW WHEN DRIVING CAUSING A HAZARDOUS SITUATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10376700
50,000 miles · Dec 9, 2010
Power Train
WE BROUGHT OUR DAUGHTER A 2000 323I BMW, A FEW WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THIS WAS A GIFT AND OUR DAUGHTER WAS SO HAPPY, WE SPENT A GOOD AMOUNT OF MONEY ON THIS CAR, IT IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, ONLY HAS 50K MILES AND WAS GARAGE KEPT AND WAS NEVER DROVE IN THE WINTER, AND NOW IT IS SITTI…
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WE BROUGHT OUR DAUGHTER A 2000 323I BMW, A FEW WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THIS WAS A GIFT AND OUR DAUGHTER WAS SO HAPPY, WE SPENT A GOOD AMOUNT OF MONEY ON THIS CAR, IT IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, ONLY HAS 50K MILES AND WAS GARAGE KEPT AND WAS NEVER DROVE IN THE WINTER, AND NOW IT IS SITTING IN THE GARAGE AND CANT BE DRIVEN. I WOULD LIKE TO BECOME A MEMBER OF A CLASS ACTION, THIS IS A ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS,A DN BMW NEEDS TO RECALL THE CARS AND FIX THE PROBLEM. OUR DAUGHTER IS SO DISAPPOINTED SHE CANT DRIVE HER CAR. THE BMW DEALER THAT LOOKED AT THE CAR SAID IT WAS GOING TO BE 4800.00 FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY CAN NOT GUARANTEED THAT THE NEW TRANSMISSION WILL NOT DO THE SAME THING, AND I DON'T WANT TO HAVE IT FIXED AND IT DO IT AGAIN AND HAVE TO KEEP REPAIRING THE CAR. I KNOW AFTER ALL OF THIS I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER BMW. IF ANYONE KNOWS A CLASSACTION SUIT PLEASE EMAIL ME AT [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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 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.
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.
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.
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. 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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2000 BMW 323I Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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