IllustrationTHERES A PROBLEM WITH THE GM5 MODULE INSIDE BMW'S THAT NEED TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED MY CURRENTLY ISN'T WORKING AND NONE OF MY DOORS WILL OPEN WHICH I CONSIDER A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. BMW NEEDS TO AKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM THEY HAVE WITH THEIR CARS.
2000 BMW 328I
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2000 BMW 328I do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 98.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 328I 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
00–25K
325–50K
1850–75K
1175–100K
25100–150K
19150K+
76 reports with mileage · 36 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.
- Air Bags. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. 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.
6 crash reports2 fire reports6 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
5 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AND HEADLINER AIR BAGS PARTIALLY DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HEAD LINER MODULE, PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AIR BAG M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AND HEADLINER AIR BAGS PARTIALLY DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HEAD LINER MODULE, PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AIR BAG MODULE, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TRIM PANEL, BATTERY, AND BATTERY CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V223000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
THE LOCKS ON MY 2000 BMW 328I VIN ([XXX]) DO NOT WORK ANYMORE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE NOT BECAUSE THE POWER LOCKS THAT PROBABLY ARE ACCEPTABLE TO FAIL OVER TIME HAVE FAILED. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE LOCKS ON THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED MANUALLY. THIS MEANS IN EVENT OF A COLLISION THE PASSENGERS IN MY VEHI…
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THE LOCKS ON MY 2000 BMW 328I VIN ([XXX]) DO NOT WORK ANYMORE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE NOT BECAUSE THE POWER LOCKS THAT PROBABLY ARE ACCEPTABLE TO FAIL OVER TIME HAVE FAILED. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE LOCKS ON THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED MANUALLY. THIS MEANS IN EVENT OF A COLLISION THE PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE COULD NOT EGRESS TO SAFETY. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT BMW SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX AND SHOULD NOTIFY OTHERS THAT HAVE THE SAME VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM BEGAN 3 YEARS AGO WHERE THE LOCKS OCCASIONALLY (1/300 APPROX) WOULD FAIL BUT AFTER SEVERAL PRESSES OF THE KEY IT WOULD OPEN AND OPERATE NORMALLY. OVER THE LAST YEAR THE LOCKS HAVE FAILED HALF THE TIME WHEN IT IS COLD OUT (< 30 DEGREES F APPROX) AND ARE COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE WHEN IT IS HOT OUT (> 90 DEGREES F APPROX). AFTER DOING RESEARCH I FOUND THAT IT NEEDS A REPLACEMENT OF THE GM5 MODULE. THIS REPAIR WAS QUOTED TO ME BY THE DEALER AT OVER $700! THAT IS $700 TO FIX A PART THAT SHOULD WORK. SOMETHING THAT OVERRIDES A PASSENGER FROM EXITING THE VEHICLE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO FAIL. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE AT RISK. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. PLEASE HELP TO EITHER FORCE BMW TO REPLACE THESE MODULES ON VEHICLES OR STOP PEOPLE FROM OPERATING THEM, THEY'RE DANGEROUS! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I WAS DRIVING AROUND 30 MILES/HR AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED HAVING ISSUES: TURN SIGNAL WILL NOT WORK ON DASHBOARD (WORKING OUTSIDE), TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN WHILE ENGINE IS ON (CAR IS STOPPED IN NEUTRAL), ON STARTING THE CAR SOMETIMES AC WILL NOT WORK, AND IF CAR IS STARTED WITH A DOOR OPEN, OPEN DOOR DISPLAY WILL NOT GO OFF EVEN…
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I WAS DRIVING AROUND 30 MILES/HR AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED HAVING ISSUES: TURN SIGNAL WILL NOT WORK ON DASHBOARD (WORKING OUTSIDE), TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN WHILE ENGINE IS ON (CAR IS STOPPED IN NEUTRAL), ON STARTING THE CAR SOMETIMES AC WILL NOT WORK, AND IF CAR IS STARTED WITH A DOOR OPEN, OPEN DOOR DISPLAY WILL NOT GO OFF EVEN AFTER CLOSING THE DOOR. BMW DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT LIGHT MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. IT WOULD COST $575 TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT. *TR
2000 BMW 328I (E46) DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN TEMPERATURE RISES (WEATHER GETS HOT) AFTER RESEARCH FOUND OUT THE MG5 OR MODULE MUST BE CHANGED AND REPROGRAMMED BY BMW DEALER. THE RELAYS ON THE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR THE WHOLE MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED. BMW SAYS THE WHOLE JOB WILL COST AROUND $800.00 D…
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2000 BMW 328I (E46) DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN TEMPERATURE RISES (WEATHER GETS HOT) AFTER RESEARCH FOUND OUT THE MG5 OR MODULE MUST BE CHANGED AND REPROGRAMMED BY BMW DEALER. THE RELAYS ON THE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR THE WHOLE MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED. BMW SAYS THE WHOLE JOB WILL COST AROUND $800.00 DOLLARS. THE RELAYS ARE $14.00 DOLLARS EACH AND THEY TEND TO GO BAD VERY OFTEN. A WEBSITE DEDICATED TO THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CREATED BY A KIND PERSON THAT DOES HELP PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM TO LESSEN THE COST OF FIXING THE PROBLEM BY HAVING SOLDERING WORK ON THE MODULE BOARD WHICH REQUIRES LOTS OF SKILLS TO DO SO. I AM COMPLAINING THAT BMW SHOULD REPLACE ALL MODULES THAT DO GIVE THE PROBLEM FOR FREE. IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED OVER. SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS A FAULT ON BMW'S END. WHEN THE AIR TEMPERATURE RISES THE DOORS DO NOT UNLOCK BY USING THE REMORE THEREFORE CUSTOMER CAN NOT GET INTO CAR AND SOMETIMES PASSENGERS HAVE TO CLIMB INTO CAR FROM THE WINDOW. *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.