NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
401 reports108,000 miles · Jun 22, 2009
Power Train
ONE DAY IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2008 MY 2000 BMW 3 SERIES WITH OVER 100K MILES WOULD NOT REVERSE, ALTHOUGH IT WOULD GO INTO DRIVE AND MOVE FORWARD. LATER THAT DAY I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IT MOVED BACKWARDS, THEN HOURS LATER WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AGAIN IT DID NOT WORK. THIS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY UNTIL A…
Read full complaint
ONE DAY IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2008 MY 2000 BMW 3 SERIES WITH OVER 100K MILES WOULD NOT REVERSE, ALTHOUGH IT WOULD GO INTO DRIVE AND MOVE FORWARD. LATER THAT DAY I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IT MOVED BACKWARDS, THEN HOURS LATER WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AGAIN IT DID NOT WORK. THIS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY UNTIL A WEEK LATER IT WOULD NOT GO IN TO REVERSE AT ALL. THE VEHICLE WAS EVALUATED BY A BMW SPECIALIST, WHO STATED THAT IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE REVERSE GEAR DID NOT WORK. THERE'S NO KNOWN REASON WHY THIS HAPPENS, IT JUST DOES. THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN. I WAS QUOTED OVER $6000 TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION, AND I HAVE PARKED MY CAR SINCE THEN, YET I MAKE A CAR PAYMENT EVERY MONTH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10274683
79,000 miles · May 12, 2009
Power Train
2000 YEAR MODEL BMW 323I REVERSE WENT OUT AT 79,000 MILES. NO WARNING, DRIVE STILL OPERATES FINE. NO HELP FROM BMW. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS VEHICLES OVER 33 YEARS OF DRIVING AND ONLY ONE FAILED BEFORE 100,000 MILES, A DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND DODGE TOOK CARE OF IT. THIS IS SAD - THERE SHOULD BE RECOURSE. I AM NOT ASK…
Read full complaint
2000 YEAR MODEL BMW 323I REVERSE WENT OUT AT 79,000 MILES. NO WARNING, DRIVE STILL OPERATES FINE. NO HELP FROM BMW. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS VEHICLES OVER 33 YEARS OF DRIVING AND ONLY ONE FAILED BEFORE 100,000 MILES, A DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND DODGE TOOK CARE OF IT. THIS IS SAD - THERE SHOULD BE RECOURSE. I AM NOT ASKING FOR A FREE REPLACEMENT SINCE THE VEHICLE IS 9 YEARS OLD BUT THERE SHOULD BE SOME TYPE OF SUPPORT FROM BMW. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SEALED UNIT WITH "GERMAN ENGINEERING" NO WONDER THEY LOST THE WAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10268541
91,245 miles · May 11, 2009
Power Train
THE REVERSE ON MY 2000 BMW 323CI WENT OUT YESTERDAY. THE 1ST 2ND AND 3RD FORWARD GEARS ALL WORK PERFECT BUT THE REVERSE GEAR WON'T ENGAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10268344
166,210 miles · Apr 27, 2009
Power Train
I OWN A 2000 BMW 323CI FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR NOW AND I'VE HAD TO PUT ABOUT $6,000.00 IN REPAIRS INTO IT BUT ALL IN SMALL PROBLEMS. LAST WEEK, WITH NO WARNING MY CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. I WENT ONLINE TO SEE HOW MUCH A TRANSMISSION WOULD COST AND TO MY SURPRISE I FOUND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND…
Read full complaint
I OWN A 2000 BMW 323CI FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR NOW AND I'VE HAD TO PUT ABOUT $6,000.00 IN REPAIRS INTO IT BUT ALL IN SMALL PROBLEMS. LAST WEEK, WITH NO WARNING MY CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. I WENT ONLINE TO SEE HOW MUCH A TRANSMISSION WOULD COST AND TO MY SURPRISE I FOUND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND IN ALL CASES BMW NEVER ADMITS TO A FAULTY PART AND A RECALL ON THERE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN MY CAR TO THE BMW DEALER AND HAVE GOTTEN MY WORK DONE THERE BUT NOT THIS TIME. IT WOULD COST ME NEARLY $8,000.00 TO FIX IT THERE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10266808
95,000 miles · Apr 25, 2009
Power Train
MY 2000 BMW 323I (95,000 MILES) WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. TOOK IT TO BMW DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, COSTING $6000. DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND WAS SURPRISE TO FIND OUT THAT THE REVERSE GEAR FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WI…
Read full complaint
MY 2000 BMW 323I (95,000 MILES) WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. TOOK IT TO BMW DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, COSTING $6000. DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND WAS SURPRISE TO FIND OUT THAT THE REVERSE GEAR FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE BMW CARS DURING MY YEAR. READ THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM BMW CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME REVERSE FAILURE PROBLEM. THE COMPANY, BMW, IS AWARE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, POSSIBLY A DEFECT, AND OFFERS NO ALTERNATE SOLUTION OTHER THAN TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AT A VERY COSTLY PRICE WHEN THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THE REVERSE GEAR AND EVERYTHING ELSE WORKS FINE. KNOWING THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE SUFFERING WITH THIS EXPENSIVE PROBLEM I FEEL THAT THE BMW SHOULD STAND BY THE QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCT. IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO PURCHASE A NEW TRANSMISSION, AS THIS IS OUR ONLY RECOURSE ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHEN THE REVERSE FAILURE WILL MORE THAN LIKELY HAPPEN AGAIN! THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10266684
50,000 miles · Apr 13, 2009
Power Train
CAR FAIL TO ENGAGE TO REVERSE WHILE STUCK IN AN SITUATION. WITH THE ZF TRANSMISSION ON THE 2000 3 SERIES, THE REVERSE DRUM IS MADE OF ALUMINUM AND VERY EASY TO CRACK, EACH TIME IT CRACKS, YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO ENGAGE THE CAR IN REVERSE AT ALL. TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED, YOU EITHER NEED NEW TRANSMISSION OR I HEARD THERE IS A N…
Read full complaint
CAR FAIL TO ENGAGE TO REVERSE WHILE STUCK IN AN SITUATION. WITH THE ZF TRANSMISSION ON THE 2000 3 SERIES, THE REVERSE DRUM IS MADE OF ALUMINUM AND VERY EASY TO CRACK, EACH TIME IT CRACKS, YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO ENGAGE THE CAR IN REVERSE AT ALL. TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED, YOU EITHER NEED NEW TRANSMISSION OR I HEARD THERE IS A NEW REINFORCED DRUM THAT FIXED THE ISSUE, MY CONCERN IS OVER THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND EACH TIME IT COSTS 4 OR 5 THOUSAND TO FIX BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY PART INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION, WHY ARE THERE STILL NO RECALLS YET? THIS IS A PRETTY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN YOUR CAR CAN'T MOVE BACKWARDS AND YOU ARE STUCK IN THE LOT, PLEASE READ MY REFERENCE LINK, AS THIS IS MY 3RD TRANSMISSION. THANKS. HTTP://WWW.NOREVERSE.ORG HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/BMW_TRANS.HTML. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10265100
16,600 miles · Apr 11, 2009
Power Train
I OWN A 2000 323CI AND LIKE SO MANY OTHERS MY TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED, NO REVERSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND I HOPE SOMEONE WITHIN THIS AGENCY TAKES SOME ACTION, LIKE A RECALL , I MEAN WTF, R TAX DOLLARS IN ACTION ONCE AGAIN :( *TR
NHTSA ODI #10264999
67,000 miles · Apr 7, 2009
Power Train
MY 2000 BMW 323I HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED IT BACK IN JANUARY OF 2001. I HAVE NOW REPLACED 6 OR 7 WINDOW REGULATORS, THE SUNROOF, THE RADIATOR, THE CV BOOTS AND NOW THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $5,151. OH AND DID I MENTION THAT THIS CAR ONLY HAS 67,000 MILES ON IT??!! APPARENTL…
Read full complaint
MY 2000 BMW 323I HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED IT BACK IN JANUARY OF 2001. I HAVE NOW REPLACED 6 OR 7 WINDOW REGULATORS, THE SUNROOF, THE RADIATOR, THE CV BOOTS AND NOW THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $5,151. OH AND DID I MENTION THAT THIS CAR ONLY HAS 67,000 MILES ON IT??!! APPARENTLY THE PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOW REGULATORS AND THE TRANSMISSION IS A RAMPANT ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND AFTER MANY COMPLAINTS, BMW REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH THIS TYPE OF NEGLIGENCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10264428
107,000 miles · Apr 5, 2009
Power Train
"NO REVERSE" BMW TRANSMISSION ZF SHP19. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10264163
111,200 miles · Apr 2, 2009
Power Train
THE CAR WON'T BACK UP AT ALL IN THE REVERSE GEAR. ALL THE FORWARD GEARS WORK GREAT, BUT THE REVERSE GEAR IS PRETTY MUCH LIKE A NEUTRAL GEAR. THE CAR JUST REVS WITHOUT ANY MOVEMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10264031
Official recalls
7May 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
Illustration