Known Recalls

Model year record

2000 BMW 3 Series

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 111 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 21V401000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
Vehicles affected
4,511
Reported to NHTSA
2021-05-27
Owners notified
2021-07-12

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission2196,000 mi
Structure: frame and members2094,000 mi
Power train12125,000 mi
Air bags1099,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling790,000 mi
Electrical system4125,000 mi
Structure: body482,000 mi
Structure385,000 mi
Suspension3160,000 mi
Exterior lighting2148,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields283,883 mi
Unknown or other2216,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls224,130 mi
Air bags: side/window1185,000 mi
Engine1148,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system175,800 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner128,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1113,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting175,000 mi
Parking brake160,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1106,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly199,000 mi
Power train: driveline172,805 mi
Seat belts199,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler1200,000 mi
Service brakes1148,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic189,300 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars1—
Suspension: rear184,200 mi
Vehicle speed control189,300 mi
Visibility125,280 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—

The 1999 model has 19 times as many complaints as this one. The 2001 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.