KnownCarProblems2000 BMW 323ci Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 BMW 323ci, most often about the air bags (36% of complaints, typically around 77,000 miles). It is the most complained-about 323ci model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2000 BMW 323ci problems
Air bags
11 complaints · 36%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles.
The airbag icon on the instrument panel stays on. This means that a passenger sitting in the front seat does not activate the sensor in the seat and, as a result, the air bag would not deploy in case of a collision. There are many references to this problem posted on the internet. It seems to be the very same problem…
The contact owns a 2000 BMW 323ci. The contact stated that the air bag warning lamp illuminated and continued to stay lit. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The technician decided to clear the code on the computer as a temporary remedy. The remedy failed to repair the failure and the air bag sensor has…
Transmission
6 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 131,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2000 BMW 323ci. The contact stated that the vehicle would not respond when engaged in reverse. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was advised that the transmission and the computer board sensor would need replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but…
The contact owns a 2000 BMW 323ci. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure.…
Body and structure
5 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 110,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2000 BMW 328ci. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, a loud noised emitted from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road and the contact resumed with caution. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the sub frame was…
BMW subframe recall. Took my 2000 323ci in for tune up. Was told by mechanic that lh rear subframe separated from unibody. Was told there was a recall in 2009 but was never informed by BMW. Wanting to know how to access recall for BMW to fix. Vehicle was in shop when notified of issue.
Suspension
4 complaints · 13%The contact owns a 2000 BMW 530ci. The contact heard a loud banging noise in the rear of the vehicle while driving various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop and the contact was informed that the rear axle assembly was detaching from the vehicle and its welds. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
The rear suspension is separating at the attachment points to the body. This is a known defect by BMW. There has been a class action lawsuit but it has expired and BMW is doing nothing about the repairs. This has posed a very dangerous situation where the car suspension can actually become separated from the body.
Electrical
3 complaints · 10%I was at a stop light when my passenger noticed black smoke coming out the air vent. From there I immediately pull over and removed as many personal items as possible. From there the fire took over the entire dashboard and proceeded to torch the interior.
A faulty gm5 seems to be the reason for the driver-side door not unlocking with the remote key fob. The remote key can unlock the passenger's side door, but not the driver's side.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2000 BMW 323ci recalls
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2000 BMW 323ci
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 BMW 323ci?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (11 complaints, typically around 77,000 miles); transmission (6 complaints, typically around 131,500 miles); body and structure (5 complaints, typically around 110,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2000 BMW 323ci have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 27, 2021 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2000 a bad year for the BMW 323ci?
- It is the most complained-about 323ci model year since 2000, with 31 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.
Other BMW 323ci years
- 2000