Air Bags. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports8 fire reports17 injury reports

What owners actually said

151 reports

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2004

Visibility

DEALERSHIP REPLACED FIVE TIMES THE REAR AND FRONT WINDOW REGULATORS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. ONCE AGAIN, REAR AND FRONT WINDOW REGULATORS NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THEM. IT WILL COST CONSUMER ABOUT $400.00. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10063476

17,949 miles · Feb 23, 2004

Tires

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TOOK MY CAR TO BMW DELAER TO GET TIRES ROTATED. THEY CALLED ME AND SAID I NEED 4 NEW TIRES. MY 325I IS A 2001 AND HAS 18,000 MILES ON IT. MY FATHER HAS BEEN IN THE CAR BUSINESS ALL HIS LIFE AND SAID THAT MY TIRES SHOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD FOR AT LEAST 30,000 MILES - ESPECIALLY WITH THE LOW MILEAGE I HAVE. I HAVE FOUND SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AGAINST CONTINENTAL AND PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. IT IS BOTH A SAFETY ISSUE AND A FINANCIAL ISSUE. WHO WANTS TO SHELL OUT $400 FOR NEW TIRES WHEN THEY DON'T EVEN LAST AS LONG AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO! I AM SO SCARED TO DRIVE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I AM AFRAID OF A TIRE BLOWOUT. I AM ALSO GOING TO WRITE A LETTER TO CONTINENTAL AND REQUEST THAT THEY EITHER REPLACE ALL MY TIRES OR AT LEAST GIVE ME PRO RATA FOR NEW TIRES. NHTSA - PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FURTHER!!!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10058786

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2004

Tires

RIGHTT REAR TIRE SEPARATED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL. CONSUMER INDICATED THERE WAS A CUT IN THE SIDEWALL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10056049

40,650 miles · Jan 22, 2004

Visibility

DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATORS FAILED TWICE AND BACK PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED. ALL HAVE BEEN REPLACED SINCE UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #10054678

35,000 miles · Nov 20, 2003

Electrical System

THE ELECTRICAL BOX HAS MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT THE STEERING LOCKS AND THE ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *PH

NHTSA ODI #10048405

18,652 miles · Oct 22, 2003

Structure

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I AM WRITING WITH REGARDS TO FILE# 0304924 A COMPLAINT WITH BMW NORTH AMERICA. AS YOU RECEIVED COPIES OF ALL BMW'S COMMUNICATIONS WITH ME YOU ARE AWARE THAT A FINAL REPAIR ATTEMPT LETTER WAS SENT TO ME. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT ON 10-09-03I CAME OUT OF MY OFFICE AND MY FRONT FLOORBOARD WAS FULL OF WATER AGAIN. I CALLED BMW AND THEY REQUESTED THAT I BRING THE CAR IN ON 10-10-03. I ALSO CALLED MRS. BRANDI DOLFI AT BMW NORTH AMERICA AND SHE IS OUT OF THE OFFICE. THIS PROBLEM STARTED WELL WITHIN THE LEMON LAW LIMITS AND I WOULD LIKE YOUR HELP IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. AS A SIDE NOTE THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 OTHER TIMES FOR OTHER STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS SINCE THE LAST REPAIR ATTEMPT IN MAY OF 2003. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU COULD GIVE ME IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10043364

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2003

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKES THEY FAILED. CONSUMER STATED THE ONLY WAY TO STOP VEHICLE WAS TO PUT VEHICLE INTO REVERSE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10042748

30,000 miles · Aug 29, 2003

Exterior Lighting

RIGHT SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD KEEP BLOWING OUT. DEALER REPLACED THE CIRCUIT BOARD AND THE LIGHT SOCKET. AFTER A WEEK, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10037972

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2003

Structure

CONVERTIBLE TOP HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT CLOSE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10031828

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2003

Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING CAR WOULD OVERHEAT.ENGINE FAN FELL OFF VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10031499

Official recalls

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.

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.

02V138000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

May 16, 2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. THIS IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A RECALL THAT BEGAN DURING SEPTEMBER 2001 (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V206). 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.

01V206000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

Jun 21, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.

Consequence & remedy

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. 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.

00V383000 · Wheels:rim

Nov 20, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE MACHINE USED TO MOUNT AND INFLATE THE TIRES ON THE WHEELS AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT MAY HAVE DAMAGED THE INNER RIM FLANGE OF THE WHEELS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR FROM THE TIRE AFFECTING HANDLING AND VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FIVE WHEELS FOR POSSIBLE DAMAGE. IF DAMAGE FROM THE MOUNTING MACHINE IS FOUND ON ANY WHEEL, ALL FIVE WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED.

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

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.