U.S. public vehicle records

2000 Bmw 323I: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

401 owner complaints analyzed

7 distinct recall campaigns

89,950 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2000 model year. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 298 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 193 of 401 complaints (48.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Transmission and shifting	158	39.4%
Braking behavior	17	4.2%
Electrical and battery issues	9	2.2%
Steering behavior	6	1.5%
Engine operation	4	1.0%
Fuel system concerns	3	0.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

193

Air Bags

Power Train

Air Bags:Side/Window

Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls

Latches/Locks/Linkages

Structure:Frame And Members

Unknown Or Other

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	193
Air Bags	46
Power Train	33
Air Bags:Side/Window	17
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls	12
Latches/Locks/Linkages	10
Structure:Frame And Members	10
Unknown Or Other	10

Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 193; Air Bags: 46; Power Train: 33; Air Bags:Side/Window: 17; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 12; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 10; Structure:Frame And Members: 10; Unknown Or Other: 10

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 25; 50,000 to 74,999: 59; 75,000 to 99,999: 81; 100,000 to 149,999: 86; 150,000 and above: 34

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (86). 103 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

1999: 1; 2000: 14; 2001: 11; 2002: 15; 2003: 10; 2004: 11; 2005: 16; 2006: 23; 2007: 43; 2008: 67; 2009: 62; 2010: 29; 2011: 25; 2012: 10; 2013: 11; 2014: 11; 2015: 12; 2016: 5; 2017: 4; 2019: 4; 2020: 12; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 1

Pattern summary

Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 158 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10001158 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND APPLIED THE BRAKES THE ENGINE WILL SUFFER A SUDDENLY ACCELERATION. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001158 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10005423 · 2003-02-06 (February 6, 2003)

WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWO TO THREE TIMES ON ALL FOUR WINDOWS. ALL REPAIRS COMPLETE BY SOUTH MOTORS BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT EXCEPT THIRD REPAIR ON FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW COMPLETED BY BRAMAN BMW. SERVICE ADVISOR ADMITS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL DUE TO A BAD SUPPLIER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED 5 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005423 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10015909 · 2003-04-15 (April 15, 2003)

THE SUBFRAME CRACKED WHICH EXPOSED THE GAS TANK. THE CONSUMER FEELS AN IMPACT MY CAUSE AN EXPLOSION. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015909 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10024877 · 2003-07-18 (July 18, 2003)

THE SIDE AIRBAG RECALL 02V223000 WAS REMEDIED ON 11/4/02. ON 11/11/02, WHILE DRIVING, THE SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER REPAIRED AND REPLACED. IN 06/03 THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. CONSUMER WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG SYSTEM. *AK ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE SRS LIGHT HAD COME. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED IT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE PASSENGER SIDE SRS AND HEAD PROTECTION AIRBAG DEPLOYED DUE TO THE CRASH SENSOR BEING TRIGGERED …

Owner-reported narrative. 47,948 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024877 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10029656 · 2003-07-18 (July 18, 2003)

CONSUMER STATES MOLDING INSIDE THE WINDOWS WAS FALLING DOWN. DEALER FIXED IT TWICE, AND PROBLEM STILL RECURRING. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029656 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10030992 · 2003-08-07 (August 7, 2003)

BMW NOT HONORING FULL TERM OF NEW CAR WARRANTY. ALTHOUGH I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AT A DEALER IN AUGUST 25 2000 AND THE CAR HAD UNDER THE MILEAGE LIMIT, THE DEALERS COMPUTERS LIST THE CAR AS BEING RETAILED IN APRIL 2000 NOT AUGUST 2000. HOWEVER I HAVE AND WAS GIVEN THE BILL OF SALE LISTING THE CAR AS NEW AND RETAILED ON AUGUST 25 2000. WHEN I WENT IN FOR SERVICE ON AUGUST 7 2003, A DEALER, PRESTIGE BMW IN RAMSEY TOLD ME THE INFORMATION BMW HAS LISTS THE CAR AS RETAILING TO ME IN APRIL. EVEN WHEN TOLD I HAD PAPERWORK PROVING OTHERWISE, THE SERVICE R…

Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030992 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10033471 · 2003-08-25 (August 25, 2003)

IN SPITE OF HARDLY EVER USING THE WINDOWS, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 2 WINDOW REGULATORS AT MY COST. DEALER STATES THAT THE REGULATORS ARE NOT COVERED BY THE CPO AND ALSO STATES THAT THE WINDOW REGULATORS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN THE 3 SERIES AND ALSO IN THE 5 SERIES. VERY UNSATISFIED WITH QUALITY OF VEHICLE.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033471 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10037845 · 2003-08-28 (August 28, 2003)

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 02V223000 CONCERNINT AIR BAGS. DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10037845 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

7 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

00V048000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch

Reported: 2000-02-17 (February 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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

02V223000 · Air Bags:Side/Window

Reported: 2002-08-09 (August 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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

14V428000 · Air Bags

Reported: 2018-06-11 (June 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: 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 [email protected].

NHTSA campaign record ↗

19V852000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-11-26 (November 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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

19V853000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-11-26 (November 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.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

20V018000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2020-01-15 (January 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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

21V401000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2021-05-27 (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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

401 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

74.3%Usable mileage298 / 401 records

96.3%Valid incident date386 / 401 records

100.0%Valid filing date401 / 401 records

96.3%Ordered incident and filing dates386 / 401 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	2820.6% ODI 10020789 ENTIRE TRANSMISSION FOR 1999 BMW 323 IC NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (ESTIMATED CHARGE IS $4600.00) - AFTER ONLY 60,000 MILES. THE ONBOARD COMPUTER DID NOT ALERT ME OF THE PROBLEM SOON ENOUGH. Look up ODI 10020789 at NHTSA ↗	19348.1% ODI 10112958 · 46,000 mi THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT/ACCELERATE IN REVERSE GEAR. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB Look up ODI 10112958 at NHTSA ↗	266.7% ODI 10235328 · 100,000 mi 2001 BMW 323I DOES NOT GO INTO REVERSE WHEN PLACED INTO REVERSE GEAR. IT HAPPENED SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF WARNING OR NOISE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT IT, SINCE IT WILL COST ME 40% OF THE CARS CURRENT VALUE TO REPAIR THE CAR. *TR Look up ODI 10235328 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags	743.8% ODI 10284468 · 134,000 mi I HAVE A 1998BMW 323IS AND I RECENTLY MET WITH AN ACCIDENT ON SUNDAY 9/13/2009. MY FRIEND WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IT CRASHED VERY BADLY. THE WHOLE FRONT PORTION IS GONE AND CAR IS REUSABLE. WHAT SURPRISES ME IS THE AIRBAGS NEVER CAME OUT. ONLY THE SIDE AIRBAG(DRIVERS SIDE) JUST CAMEOUT1/2. IS THIS WHAT HAPPENS IN A CRASH?HOW CAN I TRUST CARS IN THE CRASH? *TR Look up ODI 10284468 at NHTSA ↗	2921.3% ODI 10004755 WHILE 65MPH BOTH SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK Look up ODI 10004755 at NHTSA ↗	4611.5% ODI 10037845 CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 02V223000 CONCERNINT AIR BAGS. DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK Look up ODI 10037845 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11164841 MY AC UNIT ON MY CAR WAS RAMPING UP, LIKE IT WAS HOT. I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM BMW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND THAT THE AC UNIT WIRING WAS FAULTY, COULD SPARK FIRE. TOOK MY BMW TO LOCAL SHOP WAS TOLD IT WAS THE AC WIRING AND THAT IT BLEW OUT MY BLOWER MOTOR, THAT I HAD TO REPLACE IT OR IT WOULD BE CAUSE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. HOWEVER, THE NSTA AND BMW RECALL WAS NOT IN PLACE THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR AND GO BACK TO BMW TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE. I WAS UNABLE TO PAY FOR THE ADDITIONAL REPAIRS SO PAID A PORTION OF IT,… Look up ODI 11164841 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	21.5% ODI 10457079 BMW 323I 1999 I PURCHASED THIS BMW TODAY. UPON ARRIVING HOME I SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, NOTHING HAPPENED. SHUT OFF VEHICLE WITH SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AS STATED IN MANUAL NO CHANGE. VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN ALL DAY FROM MEETING UP OF SELLER TO LENDING INSTITUTION. UPON ARRIVAL AT HOME VEHICLE WOULD NO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. *JS Look up ODI 10457079 at NHTSA ↗	338.2% ODI 10228184 · 90,450 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 323I. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR INTO REVERSE TO BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY. SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE. HE PLACED THE GEAR BACK INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD. HE PLACED THE GEAR INTO REVERSE AGAIN AND THE ENGINE REVVED. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND PUSHED IT INTO THE DRIVEWAY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SNAP RING FAILED OUT OF THE CLUTCH DRUM, PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, TH… Look up ODI 10228184 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags:Side/Window	16.3% ODI 10284468 · 134,000 mi I HAVE A 1998BMW 323IS AND I RECENTLY MET WITH AN ACCIDENT ON SUNDAY 9/13/2009. MY FRIEND WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IT CRASHED VERY BADLY. THE WHOLE FRONT PORTION IS GONE AND CAR IS REUSABLE. WHAT SURPRISES ME IS THE AIRBAGS NEVER CAME OUT. ONLY THE SIDE AIRBAG(DRIVERS SIDE) JUST CAMEOUT1/2. IS THIS WHAT HAPPENS IN A CRASH?HOW CAN I TRUST CARS IN THE CRASH? *TR Look up ODI 10284468 at NHTSA ↗	85.9% ODI 10115713 WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH CONSUMER RAN OVER A POTHOLE. THIS CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AND SIDE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY, BUT NOT INFLATE. THE CAUSE OF WHY THIS HAPPENED WAS UNDETERMINED.AK THE CURTAIN AND SIDE AIR BAGS, HEADLINER AND SEAT BELTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. BF *NM Look up ODI 10115713 at NHTSA ↗	174.2% ODI 10024877 · 47,948 mi THE SIDE AIRBAG RECALL 02V223000 WAS REMEDIED ON 11/4/02. ON 11/11/02, WHILE DRIVING, THE SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER REPAIRED AND REPLACED. IN 06/03 THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. CONSUMER WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG SYSTEM. *AK ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE SRS LIGHT HAD COME. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED IT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE PASSENGER SIDE SRS AND HEAD PROTECTION AIRBAG DEPLOYED DUE TO THE CRASH SENSOR BEING TRIGGERED … Look up ODI 10024877 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags:Frontal	318.8% ODI 10284468 · 134,000 mi I HAVE A 1998BMW 323IS AND I RECENTLY MET WITH AN ACCIDENT ON SUNDAY 9/13/2009. MY FRIEND WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IT CRASHED VERY BADLY. THE WHOLE FRONT PORTION IS GONE AND CAR IS REUSABLE. WHAT SURPRISES ME IS THE AIRBAGS NEVER CAME OUT. ONLY THE SIDE AIRBAG(DRIVERS SIDE) JUST CAMEOUT1/2. IS THIS WHAT HAPPENS IN A CRASH?HOW CAN I TRUST CARS IN THE CRASH? *TR Look up ODI 10284468 at NHTSA ↗	75.1% ODI 10115713 WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH CONSUMER RAN OVER A POTHOLE. THIS CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AND SIDE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY, BUT NOT INFLATE. THE CAUSE OF WHY THIS HAPPENED WAS UNDETERMINED.AK THE CURTAIN AND SIDE AIR BAGS, HEADLINER AND SEAT BELTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. BF *NM Look up ODI 10115713 at NHTSA ↗	92.2% ODI 10040488 CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE "CHECK AIR BAG LIGHT." DEALER HAD REPLACED ONE SENSOR UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT/ONE SENSOR ON THE DASHBOARD, AND RE-ATTACHED THE WIRING SYSTEM. *AK Look up ODI 10040488 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Structure:Frame And Members	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	64.4% ODI 10090624 · 104,000 mi CRACKED SUB-FRAME AT 104,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY POT HOLES, I DO NOT DRIVE OVER POTHOLES AND TAKE CARE OF MY VEHICLE VERY MUCH SO. I AM NOT WRECKLESS, AND I HAVE EVERY MAINTENANCE RECORD AVAILABLE AS WELL AS OTHER WARRANTIES. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE INCLUDING TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH AT 75,000 MILES, ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND LIGHT INDICATORS TURNING ON FOR NO REASON, AIRBAG LIGHTS LIGHT UP AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR, ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR, AND FINALLY A CRACKED SUB FRAME. THIS VEH… Look up ODI 10090624 at NHTSA ↗	102.5% ODI 10015909 THE SUBFRAME CRACKED WHICH EXPOSED THE GAS TANK. THE CONSUMER FEELS AN IMPACT MY CAUSE AN EXPLOSION. *NLM Look up ODI 10015909 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	53.7% ODI 10045490 · 85,000 mi I HAVE HAD A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH MY 1999 323I SINCE 4/30/2003 THAT THE BMW SERVICE TECHNICIANS CANNOT RESOLVE AT TWO SEPARATE BMW DEALERS IN MARYLAND, TISCHER BMW (WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR), AND TOWSON BMW. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE CHECK ENGINE, EML AND DSC (TRACTION) LIGHTS ALL COME ON AT THE SAME TIME, AND THE CAR LOSES POWER NOT ABLE TO GO ABOVE 40 MPH (APPARENTLY GOES INTO A FAIL SAFE MODE). THE LIGHTS THEN GO OUT ONE BY ONE AFTER TURNING THE CAR ON AND OFF ABOUT FOUR TIMES, AND POWER IS RESTORED TO THE CAR. ALL IS WELL SEEMINGLY UNTIL IT … Look up ODI 10045490 at NHTSA ↗	51.2% ODI 10142677 TIRE. NO OTHER DETAILS WERE PROVIDED. *JB Look up ODI 10142677 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 10995298 · 100,000 mi MY 2007 BMW 323I (CANADIAN VERSION OF THE 328I) CAUGHT FIRE WHILE IT WAS COMPLETELY STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT LAST SUMMER. THE CAR WAS MECHANICALLY AND COSMETICALLY PRISTINE WITH NO MODIFICATIONS AT ALL OTHER THAN A SET OF AFTERMARKET WHEELS. I OWNED THE CAR FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS AND NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH IT AND NEVER HAD TO GET ANY MAJOR MECHANICAL WORK DONE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE WRONG AND LED TO THIS INCIDENT. THE DAY THE FIRE HAPPENED I GOT INTO THE CAR AND IT STARTED, IDLED AND RAN PERFECTLY, AS IT HAS SINCE MY OWNERSHIP. I DROVE … Look up ODI 10995298 at NHTSA ↗	266.7% ODI 10652920 · 27,030 mi WHEN I WAS TOLD THAT MY DRIVER SIGNAL IS NOT WORKING, I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER, I WAS INFORMED THAT NOT ONLY THE CONTACT BETWEEN THE LIGHT SOCKET AND ASSEMBLY WAS BURNED AND MELTED, BUT THERE WAS ALSO DAMAGE TO THE ASSEMBLY, SO I NEED TO CHANGE THE WHOLE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, I WAS VERY SHOCKED, BECAUSE MY CAR ONLY HAS 27030 MILES, AND THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WAS SUDDENLY BURNED. I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS AS THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD DID NOT SPECIFY WHICH LIGHT WAS IT FOR. I THOUGHT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE, AND I WAS ONLY NOTI… Look up ODI 10652920 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11164841 MY AC UNIT ON MY CAR WAS RAMPING UP, LIKE IT WAS HOT. I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM BMW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND THAT THE AC UNIT WIRING WAS FAULTY, COULD SPARK FIRE. TOOK MY BMW TO LOCAL SHOP WAS TOLD IT WAS THE AC WIRING AND THAT IT BLEW OUT MY BLOWER MOTOR, THAT I HAD TO REPLACE IT OR IT WOULD BE CAUSE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. HOWEVER, THE NSTA AND BMW RECALL WAS NOT IN PLACE THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR AND GO BACK TO BMW TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE. I WAS UNABLE TO PAY FOR THE ADDITIONAL REPAIRS SO PAID A PORTION OF IT,… Look up ODI 11164841 at NHTSA ↗	1100.0% ODI 11045107 TAKATA RECALL - I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM Look up ODI 11045107 at NHTSA ↗
Latches/Locks/Linkages	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	42.9% ODI 10282723 · 170,000 mi AUTO ACCIDENT RESULTS IN DEATH OF A PASSENGER DUE TO THE INABILITY TO UNLOCK CAR DOORS IN AN ATTEMPT TO EXIT AUTO WHICH CAUGHT FIRE SHORT AFTER AN INTERSECTION ACCIDENT, THE PASSENGERS WERE UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR LATCH, UNABLE TO PULL ON DOOR LOCK KNOBS THAT ARE FLUSH TO DOOR PANELS AND UNABLE TO PRESS ON MAIN DOOR LOCK SWITCH WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE ALLOWED THEM TO EXIT VEHICLE QUICKLY AND SAFELY. THREE PASSENGERS EXITED THROUGH A BROKEN WINDOW BUT UNFORTUNATELY ONE WAS NOT SO LUCKY. BMW CHOSE TO IGNORE ALL REQUESTS FOR A RECALL ON A "GENERAL… Look up ODI 10282723 at NHTSA ↗	102.5% ODI 10239218 · 115,000 mi DOOR LOCKS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE THE CAR. *TR Look up ODI 10239218 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	68,000–109,968 mi	90,000 mi	179	ODI 10112958 · 46,000 mi THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT/ACCELERATE IN REVERSE GEAR. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. JB Look up ODI 10112958 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10125013 · 60,768 mi THE BMW CAR WAS PARKED, WHEN TRIED TO BACK OUT THE REVERSE GEAR DID NOT WORK. THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE CAR WAS PARKED DOWN HILL AND CLOSE TO A FENCING. CAR ONLY WORKED IN THE FORWARD DIRECTION AND IT WAS DANGEROUS TO MOVE THE CAR IN THE FRONT DIRECTION. THUS CAUSING SAFETY CONCERN. THE DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. ON CONTACTING SEVERAL BMW SERVICE CENTRES, FEW OF THEM INDICATED THAT THE REVERSE GEAR SAFETY PROBLEM IS OCCURING IN SEVERAL OTHER SAME MODEL AND YEAR CAR. THEY INDICATED THIS WAS DUE … Look up ODI 10125013 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10131508 · 72,325 mi I DRIVE A 2000 BMW 323I. I DIDN'T EXPERIENCE ANY PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY AND WENT TO WORK AND WHEN I WAS LEAVING WORK MY REVERSE WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. LUCKILY I COULD GO FORWARD. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE BMW DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION (DEALER WAS VERY COURTEOUS). MANY OWNERS OF THE 2000 BMW 323I HAVE BEEN REPORTING THIS DEFECT, PROBLEM IS NO RECALL, AND THE CONSUMER IS PAYING FOR IT. NM Look up ODI 10131508 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	26,440–144,750 mi	65,000 mi	12	ODI 10097389 · 61,000 mi THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND NONE OF THE SIX AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. JB Look up ODI 10097389 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10177428 · 69,000 mi (1) I WAS DRIVING MY 2000 BMW 323I ON A FEEDER ROAD, AT ABOUT 40 MPH. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000 MILES. (2) THE SIDE AIRBAGS (DRIVER'S SIDE) UNEXPECTEDLY DEPLOYED WITH NO APPARENT REASON (NO COLLISION, NO ROAD BUMPS). THE ENGINE AUTOMATICALLY CUT OFF AND EMERGENCY LIGHTS AUTOMATICALLY WENT ON. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR, DRIVE IT HOME, AND AVOID BEING HIT BY OTHER CARS. (3) I CHECKED THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND APPARENTLY THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL IN 2002 ON 2000 BMW 323I FOR THIS VERY REASON. HOWEVER, I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE … Look up ODI 10177428 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10184644 · 16,000 mi TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 3I. THE AIR BAG MODULE FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT RECALL# 02V223000 WAS REPAIRED IN JULY 2003. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS FAILURE USUALLY DIDN'T OCCUR AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO AN AIR BAG ENGINEER ,WHO ALSO STATED THAT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE SHOULD NOT OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE WAS LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD. THE CONTACT WAS THE OWNER AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND WASN'T NOTIFIED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS DONE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WERE AT HE… Look up ODI 10184644 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	85,500–138,750 mi	101,376 mi	28	ODI 10228184 · 90,450 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 323I. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR INTO REVERSE TO BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY. SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE. HE PLACED THE GEAR BACK INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD. HE PLACED THE GEAR INTO REVERSE AGAIN AND THE ENGINE REVVED. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND PUSHED IT INTO THE DRIVEWAY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SNAP RING FAILED OUT OF THE CLUTCH DRUM, PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, TH… Look up ODI 10228184 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10234464 · 94,751 mi MY BMW 323I WAS WORKING FINE YESTERDAY AND I GET IN IT THIS MORNING AND IT REFUSES TO DO REVERSE. WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE IT JUST SOUNDS LIKE IT'S IN NEUTRAL AND I AM REVVING UP THE ENGINE. I HAVE TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION OR TH PART REPAIRED BUT IT'S STILL GOING TO COST 2000. TR Look up ODI 10234464 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10284796 · 88,000 mi I HAVE A 2000 BMW 323I WITH ZERO ACCIDENTS. THERE ARE 88,000 MILES ON IT, AND SUDDENLY THE REVERSE GEAR IS NOT WORKING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THIS VERY MAKE AND MODEL. I CONTACTED BMW IMMEDIATELY AND NOT ONLY DID THEY SAY THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS TRANSMISSION, BUT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO ABOUT MY SITUATION. THIS IS A RIDICULOUS PROBLEM TO HAVE AT ONLY 88,000 MILES. I WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT FORMAL NOTICE OF BMW'S DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. *TR Look up ODI 10284796 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Side/Window	55,000–87,649 mi	65,000 mi	11	ODI 10024877 · 47,948 mi THE SIDE AIRBAG RECALL 02V223000 WAS REMEDIED ON 11/4/02. ON 11/11/02, WHILE DRIVING, THE SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER REPAIRED AND REPLACED. IN 06/03 THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. CONSUMER WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG SYSTEM. AK ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE SRS LIGHT HAD COME. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED IT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE PASSENGER SIDE SRS AND HEAD PROTECTION AIRBAG DEPLOYED DUE TO THE CRASH SENSOR BEING TRIGGERED … Look up ODI 10024877 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10046618 · 44,000 mi WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH VEHICLE HIT A POTHOLE, AND THE PASSENGER'S CURTAIN AND SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. AK Look up ODI 10046618 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10050321 · 62,000 mi SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING IN A CRASH.*AK Look up ODI 10050321 at NHTSA ↗
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls	65,000–100,007 mi	72,622 mi	8	ODI 10033471 · 70,000 mi IN SPITE OF HARDLY EVER USING THE WINDOWS, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 2 WINDOW REGULATORS AT MY COST. DEALER STATES THAT THE REGULATORS ARE NOT COVERED BY THE CPO AND ALSO STATES THAT THE WINDOW REGULATORS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN THE 3 SERIES AND ALSO IN THE 5 SERIES. VERY UNSATISFIED WITH QUALITY OF VEHICLE.*AK Look up ODI 10033471 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10100028 · 88,000 mi (1) THERE HAVE BEEN NO EVENTS THAT HAVE LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE. (2) THE WINDOW REGULATORS ARE FAILING ON ALL WINDOWS. THE REPAIR SHOPS WHO HAVE FIXED THE REGULATORS THUS FAR HAVE BOTH CLAIMED THAT ALL OF THE REGULATORS FOR THE BMW E46 WILL FAIL, THAT THEY'VE HAD DOZENS OF VISITORS FOR THIS REASON. --A) DRIVER'S SIDE, FRONT WINDOW - FAILED AND FIXED --B) DRIVER'S SIDE, BACK WINDOW - FAILED AND FIXED --C) PASSENGER'S SIDE, FRONT WINDOW - FAILED (3) FIXED 2 OF THE 3 THAT HAVE BROKEN SO FAR. THE FOURTH WINDOW (PASSENGER'S SIDE, REAR) IS BEG… Look up ODI 10100028 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10160314 · 60,558 mi 323I BMW 4 DOOR, 2000. MAJOR PROBLEM WITH ALL MY POWER WINDOWS GOING OUT. THE SERVICE REP AT THE DEALER JUST SHRUGS HIS SHOULDERS AND SAYS "IT HAPPENS". I SAID THAT FOUR POWER WINDOWS TO GO OUT IN SIX YEARS IS EXCESSIVE. THREE OF WHICH ARE HARDLY EVER USED SINCE I AM THE ONLY ONE EVER IN THE CAR. HE REPLIED THAT YOU DON'T BUY A BMW TO BE EASY ON THE CHECKBOOK. I SAID I BOUGHT ONE BECAUSE I THOUGHT THEY WERE RELIABLE. HE ACTED LIKE THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. 6/20/06 RIGHT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR WENT OUT $394.16, 9/2/04 DRIVERS WINDOW REG… Look up ODI 10160314 at NHTSA ↗
Latches/Locks/Linkages	90,000–117,500 mi	104,000 mi	7	ODI 10239218 · 115,000 mi DOOR LOCKS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE THE CAR. TR Look up ODI 10239218 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10242326 · 95,000 mi LOCK/LATCH MECHANISM SOMETIMES MALFUNCTIONS, SUCH THAT YOU CANNOT UNLOCK PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. WHEN THAT HAPPENS, AT LEAST I CAN USE THE MANUAL KEY TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. BUT BMW HAS THE FORESIGHT TO NOT INCLUDE A KEY OPENING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. SO A FEW TIMES, I HAD TO ASK MY PASSENGER TO CRAWL OVER TO HER SEAT BY CLIMBING OVER THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS IS MORE THAN INCONVENIENT; IT'S EMBARRASSING, ESPECIALLY FOR LADIES IN DRESSES. TR Look up ODI 10242326 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10289118 · 77,230 mi WE HAVE A SAFETY ISSUE WITH OUR BMW 323I YEAR 2000. THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS WILL ACTUATE AND THEN YOU CANNOT GET OUT OF THE CAR THROUGH 3 OR 4 DOORS. THE ELECTRIC LOCKS WILL NOT DISENGAGE AND YOU CANNOT RELEASE THEM WITH THE HANDLE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. PASSENGERS ARE BASICALLY TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR AND HAVE TO CLIMB OVER THE FRONT SEAT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. PROBLEM HAS BEEN RECURRING FREQUENTLY. AFTER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, WE ARE USUALLY ABLE TO GET THE LOCKS TO WORK. I FOUND 10 COMPLAINTS FILED ON THIS SAME ISSUE WITH ON… Look up ODI 10289118 at NHTSA ↗
Structure:Frame And Members	120,000–161,950 mi	136,400 mi	6	ODI 10172562 · 115,000 mi 1) THERE WERE NO EVENTS OUT OF THE ORDINARY LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE OF THE REAR SUBFRAME. ALL DRIVING WAS NORMAL IN NORMAL CONDITIONS. 2)CRACKED/SEPARATED REAR SUBFRAME, FAILED DUE TO ENGINEERING FLAWS IN DESIGN AND USE OF MATERIALS. CONSEQUENCES OF THIS FAILURE COULD BE CATASTROPHIC AND RESULT IN SEVERE INJURY AND OR DEATH. 3)I HAD MY CAR INSPECTED BY BMW NA AT MY LOCAL BMW DEALER. BMWNA AGREED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS IN FACT BROKEN AND THEY WOULD NOT BE WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE REPAIR OF THIS. BMWAG (GERMANY) HAS ACKNOWLEDGE… Look up ODI 10172562 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10177430 · 93,256 mi 1999-2005 BMW 3 SERIES HAS DEFECTIVE REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS. MY REAR SUB FRAME MOUNT OF THE DRIVER SIDE REAR HAS TORN OUT COMPLETELY CAUSING THE CAR TO CONSTANTLY CLUNK AND CREAK. NM Look up ODI 10177430 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10225553 · 137,800 mi 1: THE REAR OF THE CAR FELT LOOSE AND SLOPPY WHILE DRIVING. BUT DIDN'T PERFORM TO UNUSUALLY. 2: THE REAR SUBFRAME RIPPED OUT OF THE SHEET METAL IT WAS ATTACHED TO LEAVING A GAPING HOLE IN THE UNDERBODY OF THE CAR, AND RENDERING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR SAT ABOUT 1.5" LOWER THAN THE DRIVERS SIDE IN THE REAR. ALSO THE REAR SWAY BAR WAS HITTING ON THE REAR PASSENGER LOWER CONTROL ARM, AND ALSO IN THE CENTER ON THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT. 3: NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE YET. TR Look up ODI 10225553 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	120,345–161,000 mi	130,000 mi	5	ODI 10030992 · 14,000 mi BMW NOT HONORING FULL TERM OF NEW CAR WARRANTY. ALTHOUGH I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AT A DEALER IN AUGUST 25 2000 AND THE CAR HAD UNDER THE MILEAGE LIMIT, THE DEALERS COMPUTERS LIST THE CAR AS BEING RETAILED IN APRIL 2000 NOT AUGUST 2000. HOWEVER I HAVE AND WAS GIVEN THE BILL OF SALE LISTING THE CAR AS NEW AND RETAILED ON AUGUST 25 2000. WHEN I WENT IN FOR SERVICE ON AUGUST 7 2003, A DEALER, PRESTIGE BMW IN RAMSEY TOLD ME THE INFORMATION BMW HAS LISTS THE CAR AS RETAILING TO ME IN APRIL. EVEN WHEN TOLD I HAD PAPERWORK PROVING OTHERWISE, THE SERVICE R… Look up ODI 10030992 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10807285 · 130,000 mi THE REVERSE GEAR IS NOT WORKING. I CANNOT REVERSE... THIS OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON. Look up ODI 10807285 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10957896 · 200,000 mi REAR SUBFRAME BODY HAS SEPARATED FROM SUBFRAME MOUNTING SUPPORT. THE CHASSIS IS NO LONGER PROPERLY ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. THE TIED DOWN BOLTS HAVE SHEARED OFF. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT. Look up ODI 10957896 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2010: 0 complaints · 2011: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2010	0	0	0
2011	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2010	1	0	0
2011	1	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Air Bags	Power Train	Air Bags:Side/Window	Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls	Latches/Locks/Linkages	Structure:Frame And Members	Unknown Or Other
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	—	0	0	0	1 ODI 10222691 · 136,026 mi I PARKED TO GO INSIDE OF A BMW SERVICE CENTER TO BUY A WINDOW REGULATOR. WHEN I CAME BACK OUT TO LEAVE I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT BACK UP. I PUSHED MY SO CALLED LUXURY CAR OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE AND DROVE HOME. I STILL HAVE NO REVERSE GEAR, GUESS I SHOULD START LOOKING FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION LIKE THE OTHER HUNDREDS OF UPSET BMW CUSTOMERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR Look up ODI 10222691 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Air Bags	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Power Train	0	0	—	0	1 ODI 10485040 · 154,400 mi WAS TRYING TO REVERSE N IT WOULDN'T IT PERIODICALLY WON'T REVERSE UNTIL CAR WARMS UP. WINDOW WON'T GO UP WITHOUT MANUALLY PULLING IT UP. *TR Look up ODI 10485040 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 10807285 · 130,000 mi THE REVERSE GEAR IS NOT WORKING. I CANNOT REVERSE... THIS OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON. Look up ODI 10807285 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Side/Window	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls	1 ODI 10222691 · 136,026 mi I PARKED TO GO INSIDE OF A BMW SERVICE CENTER TO BUY A WINDOW REGULATOR. WHEN I CAME BACK OUT TO LEAVE I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT BACK UP. I PUSHED MY SO CALLED LUXURY CAR OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE AND DROVE HOME. I STILL HAVE NO REVERSE GEAR, GUESS I SHOULD START LOOKING FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION LIKE THE OTHER HUNDREDS OF UPSET BMW CUSTOMERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR Look up ODI 10222691 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10485040 · 154,400 mi WAS TRYING TO REVERSE N IT WOULDN'T IT PERIODICALLY WON'T REVERSE UNTIL CAR WARMS UP. WINDOW WON'T GO UP WITHOUT MANUALLY PULLING IT UP. *TR Look up ODI 10485040 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 769520 CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, COULDN'T PROPERLY CORRECT PROBLEMS, CAR IS DEFECTIVE, ATTORNEY GENERAL NOTIFIED AS WELL AS BBB, ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PRIVATE ATTORNEY. DT Look up ODI 769520 at NHTSA ↗
Latches/Locks/Linkages	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Structure:Frame And Members	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Unknown Or Other	0	0	1 ODI 10807285 · 130,000 mi THE REVERSE GEAR IS NOT WORKING. I CANNOT REVERSE... THIS OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON. Look up ODI 10807285 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 769520 CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, COULDN'T PROPERLY CORRECT PROBLEMS, CAR IS DEFECTIVE, ATTORNEY GENERAL NOTIFIED AS WELL AS BBB, ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE RECOMMENDED CONTACTING PRIVATE ATTORNEY. DT Look up ODI 769520 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

6 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

13 mentions · 3.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 70,559 mi (10 usable records).

ODI 10024877 · 47,948 mi

Look up ODI 10024877 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10166054 · 47,588 mi

2000 BMW 323I - EML, CHECK ENGINE SOON AND DSC LIGHTS CAME ON AND CAR POWERED DOWN ON THE FREEWAY (BRAKED ITSELF AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE). NEEDED TOW TO DEALER. CAR REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE THROTTLE BODY AND ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AND PROGRAMMED THE DME (DIGITAL MOTOR ELECTRONICS) . THIS DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM - THROTTLE BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THIS DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM AND AFTER PICKING UP CAR AT DEALERSHIP THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THIS REQUIRED THE RELAY TO BE REPLACED. THE DAY AFTER THE CAR WAS PICKED…

Look up ODI 10166054 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10175355 · 47,000 mi

LTR FROM (CA) RE 2000 BMW 323I, DEFECTIVE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AND THROTTLE BODY MALFUNCTION CAUSE COMPUTER FAILURE WITH SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER & DECELERATION AT HIGH SPEEDS. *TS THE VEHICLE LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER THE EMI, CHECK ENGINE SOON, AND DSC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BMW DEALER. *NM

Look up ODI 10175355 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Stalling or loss of power

5 mentions · 1.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 113,500 mi (4 usable records).

ODI 10175355 · 47,000 mi

Look up ODI 10175355 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10245031 · 121,000 mi

LAST WEEK OCT 1 PARK MY CAR AT WORK, AFTER WORK I TRIED TO BACK UP THE CAR AND NO REVERSE. FORWARD GEARS ALL WORK. HAD TO ASK TWO OF THE COWORKS TO PUSH THE CAR OUT OF THE STALL. SINCE THAT INCIDENT I LOST THE REVERSE GEAR ON THREE OCCASIONS ON A TOTAL OF 6 SHORT DRIVING TRIPS. ONE TIME OF THE THREE OCCASIONS I HIT ANOTHER CAR WHEN I SHIFTED TO REVERSE BUT IT DIDN'T ENGAGE AND ROLLED DOWN THE HILL HITTING THE CAR THAT'S 20 FEET BEHIND ME. *TR

Look up ODI 10245031 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10282070 · 106,000 mi

I HAD DROPPED MY WIFE OFF AT WORK AFTER LUNCH AND WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING STALL. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, LET OFF THE BRAKE AND WAS WATCHING FOR CARS BEHIND ME. I WENT TO GIVE IT A LITTLE GAS TO CONTINUE BACKING UP AND IT REVVED UP AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. I STOPPED, PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, THEN BACK IN REVERSE AND STILL NOTHING. NO GEAR OR NOTHING. I DROVE HOME IN DRIVE JUST FINE. I PUT IT IN THE GARAGE. I HAVE TESTED IT SINCE AND IT DOES NOTHING IN REVERSE, BUT DRIVES JUST FINE IN DRIVE. *TR

Look up ODI 10282070 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Brake response concerns

2 mentions · 0.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 280,201 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10860148 · 280,201 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 323I. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BRAKE LAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V048000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 280,201.

Look up ODI 10860148 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 855255

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 55 MPH DRIVER TOOK FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. THEN STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FROM 55 TO 80 MPH. CONSUMER HAD TO KEEP FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP VEHICLE. *AK

Look up ODI 855255 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Hard or delayed shifting

2 mentions · 0.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 58,900 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10101405

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. VEHICLE JERKED AND VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

Look up ODI 10101405 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10205085 · 58,900 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 323I. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE ONLY MOVING FORWARD. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. AS OF OCTOBER 5, 2007, THE DEALER AND MECHANIC HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,900. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED CAR LURCHED FORWARD INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AMOUNT OF REPAIRS WOULD BE $5,000. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

Look up ODI 10205085 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Steering assistance concerns

2 mentions · 0.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 70,509 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10171895 · 31,018 mi

CAR TYPE - 2000 BMW 323CI MILES WHEN PURCHASED NEW - 23 MILES WHEN FIRST INCIDENT OCCURED 29,725 MILES SEPT 13TH, 2002 MILES WHEN SERVICE CALL OPENED 31,018 - OCTOBER 23, 2002 I NOTICED A SWOOSHING NOISE CLOSE TO MY STEERING COLUMN AND SUBSEQUENTLY TURNING MY CAR BECAME MORE DIFFICULT. THIS LEAD TO SUBSTANTIAL GRINDING/WINDING NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE VEHICLE. POWER STEERING THEN WENT OUT ALTOGETHER AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST BMW SERVICE CENTER (SAN ANTONIO, TX 180 MILES AWAY). BMW CENTER- SAN ANTONIO REPLACED THE POWER STEERING…

Look up ODI 10171895 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10253333 · 110,000 mi

2000 BMW 323I NO REVERSE, NO POWER STEERING. *TR

Look up ODI 10253333 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Oil consumption or dilution

1 mentions · 0.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 103,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10152221 · 103,000 mi

SEVERAL DAYS OF SLUGGISH START, BURNING OIL SMELL, TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON - I TOOK MY CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY REFERRED ME TO THIS SITE BECAUSE THEY LOOKED UP TO SEE IF THERE WERE COMPLAINTS/RECALLS. *NM

Look up ODI 10152221 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(oil consumption|burn\w* oil|consum\w* oil|oil dilution|gas(?:oline)? in (?:the )?oil)\b