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2000 BMW 323I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

298 reports with mileage · 103 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 235 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports2 fire reports17 injury reports

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

11 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2013
Latches/locks/linkages

THE LOCKS REPEATEDLY QUIT WORKING ON ALL PASSENGER DOORS. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A GENERAL DEFICIENCY OF THE GM5 MODULE ON BMW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10537380

120,000 miles · May 28, 2013
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

THE DOORS DO NOT UNLOCK IF THEY ARE PARKED IN THE SUN IN TEMP. IN EXCESS OF 80-85 DEGREES. THE DOOR CENTRAL LOCKING DOES NOT WORK WITH EITHER THE KEYS (TWICE CLICKS TO UNLOCK ALL THE DOORS). ONCE THE DRIVERS SIDE IS OPENED IT TAKES 1/2 HOUR OF AIR CONDITIONING BLAST TO HAVE THE SYSTEM COOL DOWN AND ALLOW THE UNLOCKING WITH TH…

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THE DOORS DO NOT UNLOCK IF THEY ARE PARKED IN THE SUN IN TEMP. IN EXCESS OF 80-85 DEGREES. THE DOOR CENTRAL LOCKING DOES NOT WORK WITH EITHER THE KEYS (TWICE CLICKS TO UNLOCK ALL THE DOORS). ONCE THE DRIVERS SIDE IS OPENED IT TAKES 1/2 HOUR OF AIR CONDITIONING BLAST TO HAVE THE SYSTEM COOL DOWN AND ALLOW THE UNLOCKING WITH THE BUTTON OR THE REMOTE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513883

104,000 miles · May 18, 2012
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10458958

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2011
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

THE DOOR LOCKS OF MY CAR ARE ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED VIA REMOTE AND A BUTTON ON MY CENTER CONSOLE. THE GM5 DOOR LOCKING MODULE HAS INTERMITTENT ISSUES, ONE OF WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DOORS WHILE YOU ARE IN THE VEHICLE. IN AN EMERGENCY OR ACCIDENT ONE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE USING THE UNLOCK…

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THE DOOR LOCKS OF MY CAR ARE ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED VIA REMOTE AND A BUTTON ON MY CENTER CONSOLE. THE GM5 DOOR LOCKING MODULE HAS INTERMITTENT ISSUES, ONE OF WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DOORS WHILE YOU ARE IN THE VEHICLE. IN AN EMERGENCY OR ACCIDENT ONE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE USING THE UNLOCK BUTTON OR REMOTE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10428445

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

SOMETIMES THE DOORS ON MY 2000 BMW 323I WILL NOT UNLOCK AND WHEN I USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR IT WILL ONLY OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE UNLOCK BUTTON DOESN'T WORK AND PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE DOES NOT WORK EITHER. PASSENGERS HAVE TO CLIMB THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY WITH THERE …

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SOMETIMES THE DOORS ON MY 2000 BMW 323I WILL NOT UNLOCK AND WHEN I USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR IT WILL ONLY OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE UNLOCK BUTTON DOESN'T WORK AND PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE DOES NOT WORK EITHER. PASSENGERS HAVE TO CLIMB THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY WITH THERE BEING ONLY ONE ESCAPE ROUTE THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10360570

122,000 miles · Mar 29, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages

THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY CAR FAIL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY, NOW ALMOST EVERY DAY. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOORS, EXCEPT THE DRIVERS' DOOR, FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THIS WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IN AN EMERGENCY / ACCIDENT, PASSENGERS WOULD BE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON BMW DEFECT, I KNOW MANY OT…

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THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY CAR FAIL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY, NOW ALMOST EVERY DAY. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOORS, EXCEPT THE DRIVERS' DOOR, FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THIS WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IN AN EMERGENCY / ACCIDENT, PASSENGERS WOULD BE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON BMW DEFECT, I KNOW MANY OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE SUFFERED THIS PROBLEM. WHY HAVEN'T THESE CARS BEEN RECALLED?

NHTSA ODI #10322583

85,000 miles · Nov 19, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages

THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR ON MY BMW 323 CIC (MODEL YEAR 2000) REGULARLY FAILS TO UNLOCK PREVENTING PASSENGERS ENTRY OR EXIT THROUGH THIS DOOR. I REPLACED THE ACTUATOR ON THE PASSENGER DOOR AND THE DOOR STILL FAILS TO UNLOCK REGULARLY USING ALL POSSIBLE MEANS AVAILABLE, I.E. KEY FOB, INTERIOR UNLOCK BUTTON, OR PULLING REPEATEDLY …

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THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR ON MY BMW 323 CIC (MODEL YEAR 2000) REGULARLY FAILS TO UNLOCK PREVENTING PASSENGERS ENTRY OR EXIT THROUGH THIS DOOR. I REPLACED THE ACTUATOR ON THE PASSENGER DOOR AND THE DOOR STILL FAILS TO UNLOCK REGULARLY USING ALL POSSIBLE MEANS AVAILABLE, I.E. KEY FOB, INTERIOR UNLOCK BUTTON, OR PULLING REPEATEDLY ON THE DOOR HANDLE TO ATTEMPT TO OPEN THE DOOR. THEY ALL FAIL LEAVING THE PASSENGER (FRONT & BACK SINCE I OWN A TWO DOOR) TRAPPED IN THE CAR AND FORCED TO CLIMB OUT THE DRIVER'S DOOR AFTER ALL OTHER PASSENGERS HAVE LEFT THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR PASSENGERS IN MY CAR WHO ARE HANDICAPPED, RECOVERING FROM SURGERY, NOT IN GOOD PHYSICAL SHAPE TO CLIMB OVER THE MIDDLE CONSOLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE OR IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. THIS ALSO IS A COMMON ISSUE ON THIS MODEL WHICH BMW HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED AND INITIATED A VOLUNTARY RECALL TO FIX. GIVEN THE SAFETY ISSUES THAT THIS TYPE OF COMMON PROBLEM PRESENTS, I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE AND DETERMINE IF BMW NEEDS TO BE FORCED TO DO A RECALL TO ADDRESS THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292947

77,230 miles · Oct 20, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages

WE HAVE A SAFETY ISSUE WITH OUR BMW 323I YEAR 2000. THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS WILL ACTUATE AND THEN YOU CANNOT GET OUT OF THE CAR THROUGH 3 OR 4 DOORS. THE ELECTRIC LOCKS WILL NOT DISENGAGE AND YOU CANNOT RELEASE THEM WITH THE HANDLE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. PASSENGERS ARE BASICALLY TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR AND HAVE TO CLI…

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WE HAVE A SAFETY ISSUE WITH OUR BMW 323I YEAR 2000. THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS WILL ACTUATE AND THEN YOU CANNOT GET OUT OF THE CAR THROUGH 3 OR 4 DOORS. THE ELECTRIC LOCKS WILL NOT DISENGAGE AND YOU CANNOT RELEASE THEM WITH THE HANDLE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. PASSENGERS ARE BASICALLY TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR AND HAVE TO CLIMB OVER THE FRONT SEAT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. PROBLEM HAS BEEN RECURRING FREQUENTLY. AFTER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, WE ARE USUALLY ABLE TO GET THE LOCKS TO WORK. I FOUND 10 COMPLAINTS FILED ON THIS SAME ISSUE WITH ONE DEATH AND 3 INJURIES RESULTING FROM THIS MALFUNCTION. THERE ARE PROBABLY MORE COMPLAINTS BUT I JUST LOOKED AT 3 VEHICLE YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10289118

95,000 miles · Sep 15, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages

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 PASSENGER T…

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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 PASSENGER TO CRAWL OVER TO HER SEAT BY CLIMBING OVER THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS IS MORE THAN INCONVENIENT; IT'S EMBARRASSING, ESPECIALLY FOR LADIES IN DRESSES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10242326

115,000 miles · Aug 21, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages

DOOR LOCKS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239218

Official recalls

7

21V401000 · 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.

20V018000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 15, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

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.

14V428000 · Air Bags

Jun 11, 2018

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

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.

00V048000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Feb 17, 2000

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WITH AN IMPROVED SWITCH.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.