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
What owners actually said
112 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2002
Air BagsTiresInjury
WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY CRASH OR ANY OBVIOUS REASON. WE DROVE THROUGH SOME ROCKS & DEBRIS ON THE SHOULDER GETTING THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL AND STOPPED. THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRES WERE PUNCTURED AND LEAKING AIR (APPARENTLY FROM THE DEBRIS) AND SUBSEQUENTLY WENT FLAT A W…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY CRASH OR ANY OBVIOUS REASON. WE DROVE THROUGH SOME ROCKS & DEBRIS ON THE SHOULDER GETTING THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL AND STOPPED. THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRES WERE PUNCTURED AND LEAKING AIR (APPARENTLY FROM THE DEBRIS) AND SUBSEQUENTLY WENT FLAT A WEEK LATER. WE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW REGARDING THE POSSIBILITY OF INADVERTANT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. EVEN IN LIGHT OF THE RECALL, BMW IS INSISTING THAT WE WERE "INVOLVED IN AN UNDER-BODY CRASH" AND THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE A WARRANTY REPAIR. THE ONLY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE APPEARS TO HAVE OCCURRED ONLY *AFTER* THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DT
NHTSA ODI #769783
Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2002
Suspension
PREMATURE FAILURE OF BOTH FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS, RESULTING IN RAPID EXTREME FRONT TIRE WEAR DUE TO EXCESSIVE TOE-IN. BALL JOINT RUBBER MOUNTING IS BONDED TO THE ALLOY LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE BALL JOINT FAILS DUE TO FAILURE OF THE RUBBER BONDING. BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES MUST BE REPLACED. BMW DEALER DID NOT DET…
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PREMATURE FAILURE OF BOTH FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS, RESULTING IN RAPID EXTREME FRONT TIRE WEAR DUE TO EXCESSIVE TOE-IN. BALL JOINT RUBBER MOUNTING IS BONDED TO THE ALLOY LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE BALL JOINT FAILS DUE TO FAILURE OF THE RUBBER BONDING. BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES MUST BE REPLACED. BMW DEALER DID NOT DETECT THIS DEFECT AT BMW INSPECTION I PERFORMED AT 29,000 MILES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #767392
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2002
Air BagsTiresCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING 40MPH HIT A CURB TIRE BLEWOUT, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING INJURIES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8017901
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
PADS/ DISC, AND ROTORS WILL RUST IF VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN FREQUENTLY, CAUSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION. CONSUMER HAS OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 1 1/2 YEARS AND DIDN'T DRIVE IT FOR 3 WEEKS STRAIGHT. PADS RUSTED ONTO THE ROTORS. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR ABS SYSTEM UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A DEFECT.*AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #892422
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
THERMOSTAT FAILED CAUSING THE THERMOSTAT NEEDLE TO SWING FROM BLUE TO RED, EML AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. NLM
NHTSA ODI #785229
Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2000
Air Bags
PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER TOUCHING A CURB AT APPROX 40 MPH.*AK
NHTSA ODI #736682
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2000
Air Bags
SIDE AIRBAG ON PASSENGER'S DOOR DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON.VEHICLE WENT OVER SOME REPAIR PATCHS IN THE ROAD AT 40MPH & IT DEPLOYED. DEALER WAS INSPECTING VEHICLE, BUT BLAMED CONSUMER THAT HE MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #874925
Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingStructureTires
COOLING SYSTEM LEAK FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #555385
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2000
Air BagsTires
CAR CURRENTLY AT SHOP AFTER NOTICED BUBBLES IN EACH TIRE (ALL FOUR)ONE CONSQUENTLY CAUSED TIRE TO FLATTEN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME ALL TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. FIRST TIME AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING NORMAL OPERATION. CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO DEALERSHIP. ALL AIRBAG COMPONENTS REPAIRED AND/OR REPLACED VEHICLE ALSO HAD TIRES REPLACED CAR…
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CAR CURRENTLY AT SHOP AFTER NOTICED BUBBLES IN EACH TIRE (ALL FOUR)ONE CONSQUENTLY CAUSED TIRE TO FLATTEN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME ALL TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. FIRST TIME AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING NORMAL OPERATION. CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO DEALERSHIP. ALL AIRBAG COMPONENTS REPAIRED AND/OR REPLACED VEHICLE ALSO HAD TIRES REPLACED CAR WAS OUT OF COMMISION 14 DAYS THAT TIME. PRESENTLY OUT FOR THREE DAYS . *AK
NHTSA ODI #724093
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2000
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL WITH FOOT ON BRAKE AND VEHICLE STARTED RACING & MOVING. CONSUMER SHIFTED GEAR INTO PARK , BUT VEHICLE WAS STILL MOVING. THEN, CONSUEMR REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO DAMAGES. WILL BE CONTACTING DEALER TODAY. *AK
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 328I Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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