KnownCarProblems2000 BMW 328i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 112 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 BMW 328i, most often about the air bags (31% of complaints, typically around 93,000 miles). It is 10th of 12 328i model years by number of complaints 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 328i problems
Air bags
35 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles. Parts named most often: side/window, frontal.
The contact owns a 2000 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the passenger side air bag deployed without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
The contact owns a 2000 BMW 328i. While driving 35 MPH, the contact drove over a pothole and the front passenger side curtain and headliner air bags partially deployed inadvertently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the passenger side air bag head liner module, passenger side door…
Body and structure
31 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 115,000 miles. Parts named most often: frame and members, body.
At about 112k miles I noticed a creaking noise coming from the rear suspension. Upon inspection, the drivers side rear differential mount had multiple stress fractures and separations at the point where the mount was welded to the unibody. This vehicle has had all required maintenance inspections at normal intervals.…
Subframe failure on BMW e46. On my rear 2 differential mounts of the subframe were cracks that were spreading. Driver side rear mount had completely torn out and the subframe was a gaping hole around the mount. No hard driving done to car.
Transmission
27 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 128,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly.
The reverse on my 328i series BMW went out without any warning. It came back on a day later after having to be pushed out of the parking space. It has since gone out again with no warning. After researching reasons why on the internet, I have discovered that this has also happened to thousands of other BMW owners with…
No reverse in my BMW!!!! I am the 2nd owner of a 2000 BMW 328i. When I purchased my vehicle, the previous owner supplied me with all BMW dealer maintenance/service records. As the 2nd owner, I never had any major repairs. Only scheduled maintenance. My car looks and ran immaculately until, out of the blue, my car…
Suspension
11 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 137,500 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Product failure of a 2000 BMW 328i. The rear sub-frame assembly of the car is separating from the car. I am the new owner of the car, but history does not show any signs or accidents that would lead to this failure. This is also a known issue with this model of BMW. There has been previous law suits involving this…
I had heard that subframe failure was extremely common on BMW e46 models (1999-2006) but had no problems, until today. I was driving my 2000 BMW 328i when suddenly there was a loud pop, the steering became lose and there was a constant knocking noise. Once I got it home I looked under the car and sure enough the…
Engine
8 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 96,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine.
The contact owns a 2000 BMW 328i. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, white smoke emitted from the vents without warning. The contact also stated that the driver side lower control arm was defective and that the electronic engine power control warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that…
While driving normally, car shuts off while clutch is depressed. This happens while the car is moving. On one occasion it stalled on a counterclockwise highway on ramp. Power steering also shut off when car's engine stopped. Near accident occurred. Dealership repeatedly states no problem with vehicle.
Wheels and tires
5 complaints · 5%Visibility and wipers
5 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, sun/moon roof assembly.
1. The rear right window would make a click sound when trying to close/open. 2. The window stopped responding to the power button and would not go up/down. The window glass then slid down by itself. Since I was driving I could not do anything. My infant was in the back seat and the window glass came down and would not…
Re. BMW 328i, year 2000. There have been three power window mechanism failures on this car. This is "more than it's fair share". These failures are very expensive to repair. Has there been a recall or tsb on this? Thank you, sam keller.
Electrical
5 complaints · 5%I was driving around 30 miles/hr and electrical system started having issues: turn signal will not work on dashboard (working outside), trunk will not open while engine is on (car is stopped in neutral), on starting the car sometimes AC will not work, and if car is started with a door open, open door display will not…
The locks on my 2000 BMW 328i VIN ([]) do not work anymore. This is a serious safety issue not because the power locks that probably are acceptable to fail over time have failed. This is a major safety issue because the locks on the doors cannot be opened manually. This means in event of a collision the passengers in…
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 328i 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 328i
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 BMW 328i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (35 complaints, typically around 93,000 miles); body and structure (31 complaints, typically around 115,000 miles); transmission (27 complaints, typically around 128,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2000 BMW 328i 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 328i?
- It is 10th of 12 328i model years by number of complaints, with 112 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.