Known Recalls

Model year record

2000 BMW 323I

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 459 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V018000

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
Vehicles affected
292,948
Reported to NHTSA
2020-01-15
Owners notified
2020-02-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 19V853000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
Vehicles affected
74,185
Reported to NHTSA
2019-11-26
Owners notified
2020-11-10

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 19V852000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
Vehicles affected
34,396
Reported to NHTSA
2019-11-26
Owners notified
2020-07-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V428000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
Vehicles affected
574,007
Reported to NHTSA
2018-06-11
Owners notified
2014-12-01

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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 [email protected].

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V223000

Air bags: side/window

Component
Air bags: side/window
Manufacturer
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected
20,500
Reported to NHTSA
2002-08-09
Owners notified
2002-10-25

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V048000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected
17,700
Reported to NHTSA
2000-02-17
Owners notified
2000-05-15

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WITH AN IMPROVED SWITCH.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission19390,000 mi
Air bags4857,800 mi
Power train3394,751 mi
Air bags: side/window1965,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls1270,000 mi
Air bags: frontal1065,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages1095,000 mi
Structure: frame and members10135,000 mi
Unknown or other10130,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission798,000 mi
Structure: body7160,000 mi
Vehicle speed control7500 mi
Suspension6155,384 mi
Electrical system547,588 mi
Structure575,620 mi
Tires599,301 mi
Engine467,000 mi
Equipment490,254 mi
Seat belts399,000 mi
Seats363,300 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic3111,000 mi
Steering331,018 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields330,000 mi
Suspension: rear3100,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring247,588 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system219,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch236,180 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2—
Structure: body: door2—
Tires: sidewall230,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly260,558 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk127,700 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood147,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1155,384 mi
Engine and engine cooling1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline178,500 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights1280,201 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1111,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Fuel system, other155 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch160,000 mi
Parking brake: conventional1—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)188,600 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift146,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint148,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Steering: linkages1—
Suspension: front1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages187,500 mi
Visibility1141,000 mi
Visibility/wiper1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Wheels1—
Wheels: rim1—

The 1999 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 2001 model has 153 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.