CAR DOES NOT MOVE IN REVERSE (AT). NO PRIOR WARNING SIGNS. FORWARD OPERATION CONTINUES AS GOOD AS EVER.
1999 BMW 323I
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 323I years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
73 reports with mileage · 63 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
33 reportsBMW 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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE GEAR SHIFT SLIPPED INTO REVERSE ON ITS OWN AND THE RPMS INCREASED. THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO AVOID A CRASH AND STATED SHE LOOKED AT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO SEE WHAT GEA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE GEAR SHIFT SLIPPED INTO REVERSE ON ITS OWN AND THE RPMS INCREASED. THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO AVOID A CRASH AND STATED SHE LOOKED AT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO SEE WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS IN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
SPORADICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, NEW, THE REVERSE GEAR FAILS IN MY 1999 BMW 323I. IN ADDITION, THE CAR SEEMS TO, INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, RAPIDLY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATES, I HAVE TO APPLY ALL THE PRESSURE I CAN TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND EVEN WITH THAT I CAN FEEL THE ACC…
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SPORADICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, NEW, THE REVERSE GEAR FAILS IN MY 1999 BMW 323I. IN ADDITION, THE CAR SEEMS TO, INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, RAPIDLY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATES, I HAVE TO APPLY ALL THE PRESSURE I CAN TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND EVEN WITH THAT I CAN FEEL THE ACCELERATION FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE IT STOPS. AS FOR THE REVERSE GEAR FAILURE, I HAVE TO SHIFT TO EACH GEAR ONCE OR TWICE BEFORE I CAN GET THE CAR INTO REVERSE, AND/OR I JUST HAVE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND WAIT FOR A WHILE BEFORE TRYING AGAIN, AND/OR I HAVE TO SHIFT TO AND FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE SEVERAL TIMES WHILE IN A PARKING LOT, STREET, ETC., HOLDING UP DRIVERS BEHIND ME. IN 11 YEARS, NO MECHANIC HAS EVER BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE CAR HAS THESE ISSUES, AND MOST MECHANICS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THUS, NOTHING HAS BEEN REPAIRED AND THE ISSUES REMAIN. *TR
OWNER OF A 1999 BMW 323I AND THE REVERSE GEAR FAILED. IT OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND CONTINUES. NO ACTION OR ACCOUNTABILITY IS BEING TAKEN BY BMW TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR OWNERS FACED WITH THIS SITUATION. *TR
I OWN A 1999 323I BMW. THE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. 1.) THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION WORKED FINE. THEN WITHOUT WARNING OR INDICATION AFTER PARKING THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. 2.)THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. THIS PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. THE CAR CANNOT REVERSE. 3.) NO CORRECTIVE ACTION HAS BEE…
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I OWN A 1999 323I BMW. THE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. 1.) THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION WORKED FINE. THEN WITHOUT WARNING OR INDICATION AFTER PARKING THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. 2.)THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. THIS PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. THE CAR CANNOT REVERSE. 3.) NO CORRECTIVE ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN YET, I AM JUST NOT DRIVING IT - TOO DANGEROUS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323 I. WHILE MOVING THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. SHE HAD TO MANUALLY PUSH THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE IN ORDER TO SWITCH GEARS. SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. HOWEVER, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 135…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323 I. WHILE MOVING THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. SHE HAD TO MANUALLY PUSH THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE IN ORDER TO SWITCH GEARS. SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. HOWEVER, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 135000.
MY 1999 BMW 323I WOULD OCCASIONALLY NOT ENGAGE IN REVERSE. THIS HAPPENED INITIALLY WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR AROUND FOR AWHILE, LOW AND BEHOLD, REVERSE WOULD ENGAGE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE SHIFT PLATE WAS NOT ALIGNED AND THE CAR WAS THINKING IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. AFTER HAVING THAT REPLACED AT $700, THE NEXT DAY, …
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MY 1999 BMW 323I WOULD OCCASIONALLY NOT ENGAGE IN REVERSE. THIS HAPPENED INITIALLY WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR AROUND FOR AWHILE, LOW AND BEHOLD, REVERSE WOULD ENGAGE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE SHIFT PLATE WAS NOT ALIGNED AND THE CAR WAS THINKING IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. AFTER HAVING THAT REPLACED AT $700, THE NEXT DAY, SAME PROBLEM. THEN THE DEALER SAID THAT IT HAS TO BE THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE. AFTER HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT $2000, LOW AND BEHOLD, 2 DAYS LATER, THE SAME EXACT THING STARTING HAPPENING. THE CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND WELL MAINTAINED WITH 132,000. ALL OF THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN ON 10/22/2009. BMW NEEDS TO RECALL THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH SEVERAL OWNERS. *TR
I BOUGHT A 1999 BMW 323I IN JANUARY OF 2000. IT WAS A CERTIFIED BMW. I HAVEN'T HAD MUCH TROUBLE WITH IT. I HAVE DONE TYPICAL MAINTENANCE, BRAKES, OIL CHANGES, NEW PLUGS, WIRES, ETC. LAST YEAR I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS MORE THAN 65 MILES PER HOUR THAT THE RPMS WOULD MOVE FROM 2500 TO 3000, AND A LIGHT SHOWED UP ON THE…
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I BOUGHT A 1999 BMW 323I IN JANUARY OF 2000. IT WAS A CERTIFIED BMW. I HAVEN'T HAD MUCH TROUBLE WITH IT. I HAVE DONE TYPICAL MAINTENANCE, BRAKES, OIL CHANGES, NEW PLUGS, WIRES, ETC. LAST YEAR I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS MORE THAN 65 MILES PER HOUR THAT THE RPMS WOULD MOVE FROM 2500 TO 3000, AND A LIGHT SHOWED UP ON THE DASH. I GOT TO WORK AND CHECK MY MANUAL AND IT IS TELLING ME THE LIGHT IS A SERVICE TRANSMISSION LIGHT. IF YOU SEE THIS LIGHT, PULL OVER, PUT IT IN PARK, PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, WAIT AND RESTART THE ENGINE TO RESET TRANS. I TOOK IT TO MY REPAIR TECH AND HE PLUGGED MY CAR INTO HIS COMPUTER AND IT STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING OUT OF 5TH GEAR. ESTIMATE FOR NEW TRANS IS $4,000. FOR A REBUILT TRANS IS $2,500.00. I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY FOR A 10 YEAR OLD CAR. I HAVE NOTICED IN THE WINTER MONTHS (COLD KEEPS TRANS FLUID THICKER??) THAT IT DOESN'T SLIP AS OFTEN, AND IN THE SUMMER MONTHS, IF I KEEP MY SPEED UNDER 65 MPH, IT DOESN'T SLIP AS MUCH. BUT IT IS A HASSLE, AND I AM JUST WAITING FOR IT TO GET WORSE. IT SLIPS OUT OF 5TH GEAR WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAYS MAKING IT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO PULL OVER AND RESET THE CAR SO THAT IT WILL GO INTO 5TH GEAR. I DON'T ESPECIALLY LIKE TO DRIVE IT WHEN THE RPMS ARE SO HIGH, IT SEEMS TO BE PUTTING A STRAIN ON THE ENGINE, AND MY GAS MILEAGE HAS GOT TO BE DECREASING TREMENDOUSLY, WHEN IT SLIPS OUT OF 5TH GEAR. *TR
I DRIVE A 1999 BMW 323I, TODAY THE REVERSE STOPPED WORKING FOR NO REASON AT ALL. DROVE FINE THIS MORNING, I PULLED INTO A STORE TO RUN AN ERRAND AND WHEN I CAME OUT THE REVERSE WAS NO LONGER WORKING. I NOW READ THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL BUT THAT BMW REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS, THIS IS UNFORTUNATE AS I'VE ALWAYS LIK…
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I DRIVE A 1999 BMW 323I, TODAY THE REVERSE STOPPED WORKING FOR NO REASON AT ALL. DROVE FINE THIS MORNING, I PULLED INTO A STORE TO RUN AN ERRAND AND WHEN I CAME OUT THE REVERSE WAS NO LONGER WORKING. I NOW READ THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL BUT THAT BMW REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS, THIS IS UNFORTUNATE AS I'VE ALWAYS LIKED BMWS BUT NOW I'M STUCK WITH A CAR THAT IS UNSAFE AND EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. *TR
Official recalls
721V401000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
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 & remedy
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.
19V851000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Nov 26, 2019
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 1999 323i and 328i vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata at one specific inflator production facility. 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 & remedy
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: Dealers will inspect the driver air bag inflators and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: BMW recommends that owners do not continue to drive their vehicles.
19V852000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Nov 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 & remedy
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.
19V853000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Nov 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.
Consequence & remedy
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 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.
02V223000 · Air Bags:side/window
Aug 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 & remedy
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.
99V100000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages
May 3, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE RETAINING CLIP THAT SECURES THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUSHROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM WAS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED DURING PRODUCTION. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE CLIP TO DETACH FROM THE PIN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM ALLOWING THE PUSHROD TO DISCONNECT FROM THE ARM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, BRAKING IS NOT POSSIBLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLIP FOR TIGHT INSTALLATION AND REPLACE THE CLIP IF IT IS LOOSE.
99V063000 · Air Bags:side/window
Mar 26, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH A SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM CONSISTING OF DOOR-MOUNTED THORAX AIR BAGS (REAR DOOR AIR BAGS ARE OPTIONAL), A HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM (HPS) FOR FRONT OCCUPANTS, A CENTRAL ELECTRONIC SENSOR AND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM, LEFT AND RIGHT SATELLITE IMPACT SENSORS, AND ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS SYSTEM IS UNDULY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS, SUCH AS CONTACTING LARGE POTHOLES OR CURBS AT SUBSTANTIAL SPEED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE SIDE AIR BAG AND HPS TO DEPLOY WITHOUT AN ACTUAL SIDE CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL (BST) WOULD ALSO ACTIVATE, DISCONNECTING THE STARTER CABLE FROM THE BATTERY. IN THIS CASE, VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE AND THE ENGINE WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN, BUT AFTER STOPPING, COULD NOT BE RESTARTED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE CENTRAL COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE THAT REGULATES THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL OF THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEMS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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