IllustrationMY REVERSE ON MY 1999 323I AUTOMATIC DOES NOT GO INTO REVERSE. IT INITIALLY WORKED THEN IT WOULD NOT REVERSE. *TR
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
50–25K
525–50K
1050–75K
1175–100K
23100–150K
19150K+
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.
10 crash reports7 fire reports9 injury reports
What owners actually said
136 reportsREVERSE MYSTERIOUSLY NOT WORKING. GOES IN AND OUT. *TR
REVERSE DOES NOT WORK. THE SAME COMPLAINT FROM HUNDREDS OF OTHERS CAN BE FOUND AT NOREVERSE.ORG. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN PUT OUT TO THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION BUT BMW WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY 1999 BMW 323I, HE PULLED FORWARD AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE ON OUR STREET IN ORDER TO BACK INTO OUR DRIVEWAY. AFTER PUTTING IT IN REVERSE AND TRYING TO BACK UP, THE ENGINE REVVED AND ACTED AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL, THE REVERSE GEAR FAILED. IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN THE NEXT DAY AND WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT 10 D…
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MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY 1999 BMW 323I, HE PULLED FORWARD AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE ON OUR STREET IN ORDER TO BACK INTO OUR DRIVEWAY. AFTER PUTTING IT IN REVERSE AND TRYING TO BACK UP, THE ENGINE REVVED AND ACTED AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL, THE REVERSE GEAR FAILED. IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN THE NEXT DAY AND WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT 10 DAYS. I WAS PARKED AT A SHOPPING CENTER AND WHEN I TRIED TO BACK OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE, THE REVERSE AGAIN FAILED. AFTER A LONG WAIT, THE PERSON WHO WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF ME LEFT AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL FORWARD AND DRIVE HOME. THE REVERSE WAS WORKING AGAIN BY THE TIME I GOT HOME. IT BEGAN FAILING MORE FREQUENTLY, BUT USUALLY WILL COME BACK SOONER OR LATER. WE TOOK IT TO OUR BMW MECHANIC, HE SAID THE SEAL APPEARED TO BE BROKEN AND FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT. HE REFILLED THE FLUID AND ORDERED A NEW SEAL. THE REVERSE WORKED FINE FOR 2 DAYS, THEN STARTED FAILING AGAIN. THE MECHANIC INFORMED US THAT SINCE THE REVERSE FAILED SO QUICKLY, THE SEAL WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND WE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON MY OWN ONLINE, I SEE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS WIDESPREAD AND UNRESOLVED. CHECK THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE FOR COUNTLESS TESTIMONIALS ON THIS DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION, THEY EVEN NAMED A WEBSITE FOR THE PROBLEM SPECIFIC TO BMW: WWW.NOREVERSE.ORG. *TR
1999 BMW 323I NOT GOING INTO REVERS AT 90K MILES
THE REVERSE GEAR IN MY BMW 323I FAILED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM, AS A DRUM IN THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY IS CAST FROM WEAK METAL AND COMES APART UNTIL IT FAILS TO COMPRESS THE PLATES FOR THE REVERSE GEAR. *TR
I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY 1999 BMW 323I FOR THE PAST YEAR WITH FEW PROBLEMS. TODAY I GOT UP TO GO ON A ROAD TRIP, AND MY CAR WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. IT HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY, BUT THERE WAS INDICATION OF A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM EXISTING. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT WILL COST ABOUT $3,000.00 TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. A QUICK…
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I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY 1999 BMW 323I FOR THE PAST YEAR WITH FEW PROBLEMS. TODAY I GOT UP TO GO ON A ROAD TRIP, AND MY CAR WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. IT HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY, BUT THERE WAS INDICATION OF A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM EXISTING. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT WILL COST ABOUT $3,000.00 TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. A QUICK WEB SEARCH REVEALED THAT THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON OCCURRENCE. *TR
REAR SUB-FRAME HAS CRACKED. OUR 1999 323I MODEL HAS 103,000 MILES AND APPARENTLY IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. CALLED BMW USA N.A. TO HAVE AN INSPECTOR CHECK THE CAR ON 3/21/07 AND WAS TOLD TO GET THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAID WE HAVE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, AND TO DATE, DESPITE NUMEROUS PHONE CALLS, WE STILL DO NOT HAVE A…
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REAR SUB-FRAME HAS CRACKED. OUR 1999 323I MODEL HAS 103,000 MILES AND APPARENTLY IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. CALLED BMW USA N.A. TO HAVE AN INSPECTOR CHECK THE CAR ON 3/21/07 AND WAS TOLD TO GET THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAID WE HAVE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, AND TO DATE, DESPITE NUMEROUS PHONE CALLS, WE STILL DO NOT HAVE AN APPOINTMENT. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1999-2005 323I MODELS. THE CAR HAS BEEN MODIFIED BY THICKENING THE METAL ON NEWER MODELS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR
HEATED CAR SEAT IN A 1999 BMW STARTED ON FIRE--SEAT AND COAT DAMAGED. *NM
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2003 BMW 323I RUNS ROUGH ONCE THE VEHICLE STARTS UP. THE VEHICLE REACHES A SPEED OF 35-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHE HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE NOT TO CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE. …
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TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2003 BMW 323I RUNS ROUGH ONCE THE VEHICLE STARTS UP. THE VEHICLE REACHES A SPEED OF 35-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHE HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE NOT TO CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO WAYNE SERVICE CENTER IN WAYNE, NJ, AND WAS TOLD BY THE REPAIR FACILITY THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONTINUEDTO EXPERIENCE THE SAME FAILURE, AS WELL AS, HAVING WARNING INDICATORS WHICH SHOWED THE VEHICLE OVERHEATING WHEN IT WAS NOT OVERHEATING, AND THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE ENGINE AND AIRBAGS. *AK
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.