KnownCarProblems2000 BMW 323i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 401 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 BMW 323i, most often about the transmission (59% of complaints, typically around 91,000 miles). It is the most complained-about 323i model year since 2000 and has 7 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory2 recalls for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2000 BMW 323i problems
Transmission
235 complaints · 59%Half of these problems showed up before 91,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
I have a 2000 3.23i BMW . It has been dealer serviced and is in excellent condition . It has 89,000 miles. The other day I tried to back out of my parking space and the car wouldn't go in reverse. It drives fine ,so I took it to princetonl BMW and was in formed I would need another transmission. I am very upset ,the…
On 8/707 I noticed that I could not shift my 2000 bmw323ci into reverse. No prior notice and no engine or check lights came on. It's like being in neutral. The engine revs but there is no movement. In another instance I was on a hill and tried to back up. When I switched into reverse, the car rolled forward!! The…
Air bags
70 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: side/window, frontal.
(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…
: the contact stated while driving 35 MPH on dry even roads, the left side curtain air bag and the small elbow air bag deployed without warning. The contact was taken to a hospital, where it was determined that the injuries incurred were bruising on the left arm, head contusions, and hearing damage. There was a police…
Body and structure
27 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 139,000 miles. Parts named most often: frame and members, body.
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…
I was unaware of the previous defect notices about the frame / body having a weak spot and was driving at 40 MPH when my rear shock and the part that holds the shock in place went through the metal frame ripping the metal away and allowing the shock to puncture through the frame just below the trunk area and the car…
Visibility and wipers
17 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, sun/moon roof assembly, windshield, rearview mirrors/devices.
Window regulator broke and had to be replaced. This was the 2nd one of the OEM regulators that had to be replaced since buying the car brand new.
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.
Doors and locks
11 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 99,500 miles. Parts named most often: doors.
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…
All passenger doors fail to open (even manually) due to a faulty gm5 (computer) or door lock actuator resulting in a hazard if there were to be a fire or accident.
Other or unspecified
10 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 130,000 miles.
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.
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…
Suspension
10 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 157,500 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
My 2000 BMW 323i has sub frame fractures as defined in a class action lawsuit against BMW. In the settlement, BMW has agreed to inspect and repair all effected vehicles. The dealer told me my car was unrepairable and offered me a cash settlement well below avg trade-in value. I want my car fixed.
I was unaware of the previous defect notices about the frame / body having a weak spot and was driving at 40 MPH when my rear shock and the part that holds the shock in place went through the metal frame ripping the metal away and allowing the shock to puncture through the frame just below the trunk area and the car…
Electrical
9 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 47,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition.
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…
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. The vehicle lost power shortly after the emi, check engine soon, and dsc lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a BMW dealer.
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 323i 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.
Air bags
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.
Fix: 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].
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: side/window
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: switch
Risk: If this happens, the brake lamps either will not operate or will be continuously illuminated, regardless of brake pedal position.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the existing brake lamp switch with an improved switch.
Full defect summary
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.
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 323i
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 BMW 323i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (235 complaints, typically around 91,000 miles); air bags (70 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles); body and structure (27 complaints, typically around 139,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2000 BMW 323i have?
- 7 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 323i?
- It is the most complained-about 323i model year since 2000, with 401 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 323i years
- 2000