IllustrationINTERMITTENTLY SRS WARNING LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE THREE TIMES, AND PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. *AK
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
What owners actually said
401 reportsTRANSMISSION PROBLEM, UNABLE TO PUT MANUAL STICK IN 1ST, 3RD AND 4TH GEAR; 2ND MANUAL SHIFT POPS OUT OF GEAR. BRAKING SYSTEM, BRAKES SQUEEKING DURING BREAKING. DSC/EML - ACCORDING TO MANUAL, ITS AN SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AND A PROBLEM WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL; LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN DRIVING. FUEL INJECTION - LIGHTS STAYS ON WHEN DR…
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TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, UNABLE TO PUT MANUAL STICK IN 1ST, 3RD AND 4TH GEAR; 2ND MANUAL SHIFT POPS OUT OF GEAR. BRAKING SYSTEM, BRAKES SQUEEKING DURING BREAKING. DSC/EML - ACCORDING TO MANUAL, ITS AN SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AND A PROBLEM WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL; LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN DRIVING. FUEL INJECTION - LIGHTS STAYS ON WHEN DRIVING. EXTERIOR MIRROR - WOULD NOT TILT WHEN IN REVERSE. BRAKES LIGHT - INSTRUMENT LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN DRIVING. (OTHER)SERVICE ENGINE - INSTRUMENT LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN DRIVING AND BEEPS. OTHER PROBLEMS: TRUNK LOCK - INTRUMENT LIGHT STAYS ON, NAVIGATION SYSTEM - DATA DISAPPERS WHEN STARTING CAR AND WHEN DRIVING. CD/RADIO MANUAL DIFFERENT FROM THE SOUND SYSTEM IN THE CAR, SEAT MEMORY - SETTINGS WON'T KEEP WHEN ENTERING THE CAR, KEY MEMORY - SETTING WON'T KEEP, EXTERIOR BODY - LEANING TO THE RIGHT WAS REPORTED TO ME BY ANOTHER DRIVER, ENGINE - HESITATES, OR TROTTLES.
BOTH FRONT DOORS LEAK WATER INTO THE CABIN WHEN IT RAINS OR GETS WASHED. BOTH FRONT FLOOR MATS GET DAMP ALONG WITH THE FLOOR BOARD. WATER DAMAGE TO INSIDE CARPET, FLOOR MATS, AND ANY OTHER COMPONENTS IN THE AREA. (ELECTRICAL)
BOTH LEFT TIRES, FRONT AND BACK FAILED AFTER HITTING A MINOR POTHOLE AT 35-40 MILES PER HOUR. BOTH TIRES EXPERIENCED SIDEWALL FAILURE WITH APPROXIMATELY A 1/2INCH BREAK IN THE SIDE WALL. THE SPLIT WAS PARALLEL TO THE CIRCUMFRENCE OF THE TIRE. (TIRESIZE: 225/45ZR17)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 225/45ZR17 )
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH ON HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN DUAL AIRBAGS WENT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK
THE SEATBELT DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AND GETS SQUEEZED BETWEEN THE SEAT AND DOOR UPON CLOSING THE DOOR. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS AFFECTS THE INTEGRITY OF THE SEATBELT SAFETY CLASP. BMW SAW THE CAR ON JAN 11, 2000 AND SAID THEY WOULD DISCUSS IT WITH THEIR TECHNICAL ENGINEERS AND REPLY TO US. THEY ALSO NOTED THAT THE PROBLEM I…
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THE SEATBELT DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AND GETS SQUEEZED BETWEEN THE SEAT AND DOOR UPON CLOSING THE DOOR. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS AFFECTS THE INTEGRITY OF THE SEATBELT SAFETY CLASP. BMW SAW THE CAR ON JAN 11, 2000 AND SAID THEY WOULD DISCUSS IT WITH THEIR TECHNICAL ENGINEERS AND REPLY TO US. THEY ALSO NOTED THAT THE PROBLEM IS EVIDENT ON ALL THE "NEW" CONVERTIBLES. BMW NEVER RESPONDED AFTER FAXES AND VOICEMAILS. ON JAN 24, 2001 WE WERE PROMISED BY BMW EXECUTIVE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP MR. RAY CASTRO THAT HE WOULD ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A FIELD ENGINEER TO VIEW THE PROBLEM. BMW HAS NEVER SET THE APPOINTMENT AND APPEARS TO BE PLAYING A GAME WHERE WE CALL AND COMPLAIN AND THEY TELL US THEY WILL GET BACK TO US --- AND THEN NEVER DO. THIS GIVES US THE IMPRESSION THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM FOR THEM AND THEY ARE TRYING TO ESCAPE ADDRESSING THIS SEATBELT ISSUE WITH THE NEW CONVERTIBLE CONTAINING THE "SEAT INTEGRATED BELT SYSTEMS".*AK
THROTTLE WILL STICK IRREGULARLY WITHOUT WARNING . DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX DEFECT 3 TIMES, BUT COULDN'T DETERMINE CAUSE. ALSO FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE CAME OUT TO LOOK AT VEHICLE, BUT DID NOT DETERMINE CAUSE. *AK
NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE DOOR AIRBAG WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK WITH SUCH FORCE THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE, INJURY DURING ACCIDENT. *MJS
NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AIR BAG DURING ACCIDENT, INJURY DURING ACCIDENT. *SLC
DEALER HAS REPAIRED THIS DEFECT THREE TIMES PREVIOUSLY TO THIS INCIDENT. REPLACED SEAT BELT MECHANISM, WIRING HARNESS AND MODULE. *AK
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.