NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
401 reports122,000 miles · Mar 29, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages
THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY CAR FAIL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY, NOW ALMOST EVERY DAY. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOORS, EXCEPT THE DRIVERS' DOOR, FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THIS WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IN AN EMERGENCY / ACCIDENT, PASSENGERS WOULD BE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON BMW DEFECT, I KNOW MANY OT…
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THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY CAR FAIL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY, NOW ALMOST EVERY DAY. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOORS, EXCEPT THE DRIVERS' DOOR, FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THIS WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IN AN EMERGENCY / ACCIDENT, PASSENGERS WOULD BE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON BMW DEFECT, I KNOW MANY OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE SUFFERED THIS PROBLEM. WHY HAVEN'T THESE CARS BEEN RECALLED?
NHTSA ODI #10322583
75,000 miles · Mar 25, 2010
Power Train
WHEN LEAVING WORK, MY CAR FAILED TO GO INTO REVERSE SO I COULD PULL OUT. I HAD TO PUSH THE CAR OUT AND TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MAKE OF CAR. HE TOLD ME THAT I WOULD PROBABLY NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WHICH I CAN NOT AFFORD TOP DO. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR AND MAKING SU…
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WHEN LEAVING WORK, MY CAR FAILED TO GO INTO REVERSE SO I COULD PULL OUT. I HAD TO PUSH THE CAR OUT AND TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MAKE OF CAR. HE TOLD ME THAT I WOULD PROBABLY NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WHICH I CAN NOT AFFORD TOP DO. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR AND MAKING SURE THAT I CAN ALWAYS PULL FORWARD OUT OF PARKING SPOTS I CAN SOMETIMES GET THE REVERSE TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE AND WORK PROPERLY. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN RANDOMLY AND THEN EVENTUALLY THE SME PROBLEM WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE (NOREVERSE.ORG) AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS (2000 BMW 323I) AND THAT BMW IS AWARE OF THIS AND TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY. THE TRANSMISSIONS IN THESE CARS IS PROVIDED BY GM, AND IS INSTALLED IN CADILLACS AS WELL FOR WHICH A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR BMW. I FEEL THIS IS A POTENTIALLY MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE . MY CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND THE FACT THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN WITH 75,000 MILES AND HAVING TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IS APPALLING!
NHTSA ODI #10322190
60,000 miles · Mar 13, 2010
Power Train
2000 BMW 323I, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, REVERSE JUST STOPPED WORKING, I HAVE READ ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON 2000 BMW WITH NO REVERSE AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO SPEND OVER $5000 TO REPAIR IT. THE TRANSMISSION IS A 5L40E MANUFACTURED BY GM FOR BMW. THERE IS A WEAKNESS IN THE REVERSE CLUTCH HOUSING APPARENTLY IT IS MACHINED TO THIN FOR A …
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2000 BMW 323I, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, REVERSE JUST STOPPED WORKING, I HAVE READ ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON 2000 BMW WITH NO REVERSE AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO SPEND OVER $5000 TO REPAIR IT. THE TRANSMISSION IS A 5L40E MANUFACTURED BY GM FOR BMW. THERE IS A WEAKNESS IN THE REVERSE CLUTCH HOUSING APPARENTLY IT IS MACHINED TO THIN FOR A SNAP RING GROOVE AND IT EVENTUALLY BREAKS. THE NEW CLUTCH HOUSING IS MODIFIED TO BE THICKER SO SOMEONE IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT BMW REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ENGINEERING FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10319468
35,000 miles · Mar 9, 2010
Power Train
FOR NO APPARENT REASON, MY 2000 BMW 323I, WHICH HAD ABOUT 35,000 MILES ON IT, SUDDENLY COULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP WHICH SPECIALIZES IN BMWS AND THEY TOLD ME THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. SO I DID; IT COST ALMOST $5,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10317920
106,000 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Power Train
I HAVE A 2000 BMW 323I, GOT NO REVERSE. I WAS ON THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET WHEN MY REVERSE DIDN'T WORK!!!!....I HAD TO KEEP GOING FORWARD, I WOULD HAVE CRASHED IF IT WASN'T FOR A GOOD SAMARITAN WHO SLAMMED HIS BRAKES BEHIND ME AND HELPED ME PUSH MY CAR INTO POSITION SO I CAN DRIVE FORWARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10313926
97,000 miles · Feb 23, 2010
Power Train
I HAVE A 2000 323I BMW AND MY REVERSE GEAR JUST RANDOMLY GAVE UP. I CANNOT USE THE ACCELERATOR WHEN REVERSING. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AND THIS IS A COSTLY ISSUE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE BMW'S LOOKS LIKE THE 1999 AND 2000 MODELS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10313065
132,000 miles · Feb 6, 2010
Power Train
STARTED MY BMW 323I 2000 ONE DAY (132,000 MILES ON IT) AND IT WOULDN'T GO IN REVERSE. DRIVES FORWARD OK, BUT WILL NOT GO IN REVERSE. BROUGHT IT TO THE BMW DEALER AND THEY WANT $7000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. *CN
NHTSA ODI #10307059
160,000 miles · Jan 31, 2010
Power Train
I OWN A 2000 BMW 323I WITH 160,000 MILES ON IT. I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 1 1/2 AGO. SINCE MY PURCHASE I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH IT . FIRST THE ALTERNATOR WENT-COST 520.00, THEN LEAK IN RADIATOR, REPLACED SEVERAL HOSES PLUS REPAIRS $ 500.00 AND NOW ON 01-29-2010, I WAS DOING ERRANDS , CAME OUT TURNED MY CAR ON , PUT THE …
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I OWN A 2000 BMW 323I WITH 160,000 MILES ON IT. I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 1 1/2 AGO. SINCE MY PURCHASE I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH IT . FIRST THE ALTERNATOR WENT-COST 520.00, THEN LEAK IN RADIATOR, REPLACED SEVERAL HOSES PLUS REPAIRS $ 500.00 AND NOW ON 01-29-2010, I WAS DOING ERRANDS , CAME OUT TURNED MY CAR ON , PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND NOTICED THAT IT WOULDN'T , IT JUST ACTED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL.... NOW I TOWED CAR AND CALLED SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS COST IN THE RANGE OF $2500-6000 FOR EITHER REBUILT, NEW OR FROM A SALVAGED CAR YARD. I HAD NO INDICATION, NO NOISE OR SOUND OUT OF THE ORDINARY. THE CAR DID DRIVE FORWARD. I NEED HELP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10303430
128,549 miles · Dec 29, 2009
Power Train
I OWN A 2000 BMW 323I AND HAVE ENCOUNTERED THE INFAMOUS "NO REVERSE" ISSUE AS HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED AND REPORTED BY MANY FOLKS NOW (SEE HTTP://NOREVERSE.ORG). THIS STEMS FROM A FAULTY REVERSE DRUM IN THE TRANSMISSION AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY BMW AS IT REALLY DOES APPEAR TO BE A COMMON FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10297309
68,000 miles · Dec 15, 2009
Power Train
2000 BMW 318I WILL NOT GO IN REVERSE. BOUGHT NEW IN 2000 FROM LONG BEACH BMW IN LONG BEACH CA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10295738
Official recalls
7May 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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