Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
130–25K
2525–50K
5950–75K
8175–100K
86100–150K
34150K+
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
What owners actually said
401 reports
89,900 miles · Sep 23, 2008
Power Train
OUT OF NOWHERE MY 2000 BMW 323I STOPPED GOING IN REVERSE. PRIOR TO THAT IT WORKED JUST FINE, JUST STOPPED ONE DAY. DRIVE WORKS JUST FINE, BUT REVERSE IS GONE. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP AND WHEN I DROPPED IT OFF ON A SATURDAY AT 4:00PM THEY TOLD ME THEY'D LOOK AT IT ON MONDAY AND CALL ME. THE ADVISOR TOLD ME BAS…
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OUT OF NOWHERE MY 2000 BMW 323I STOPPED GOING IN REVERSE. PRIOR TO THAT IT WORKED JUST FINE, JUST STOPPED ONE DAY. DRIVE WORKS JUST FINE, BUT REVERSE IS GONE. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP AND WHEN I DROPPED IT OFF ON A SATURDAY AT 4:00PM THEY TOLD ME THEY'D LOOK AT IT ON MONDAY AND CALL ME. THE ADVISOR TOLD ME BASED ON THE REVERSE FAILING IT WOULD LIKELY BE A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT NEEDED. WHEN ASKED HOW MUCH THAT WOULD COST HE SAID ANOTHER CUSTOMER WITH MY EXACT SAME YEAR/MAKE/MODEL IN THE WEEK PRIOR PAID $8K FOR HIS. WE THEN CAME HOME AND DID RESEARCH WHICH HAS REVEALED THOUSANDS OF OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME YEAR/MAKE/MODEL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND APPARENTLY THIS IS SOMETHING BMW HAS KNOWN ABOUT BUT IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT AT ALL. I EMAILED THE GM OF MY DEALERSHIP THE SAME SAT EVENING I DROPPED THE CAR OFF AND ATTACHED MANY ARTICLES AND WEBSITES HIGHLIGHTING THE ISSUE AND TELLING THEM I PLANNED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH MY OWN COMPLAINTS WITH BMW NA AND ONLINE FORUMS AND LOCAL NEWS OUTLETS. TODAY (MONDAY) I INITIALLY GOT A CALL FROM AN ADVISOR TELLING ME THE CAR DOES IN FACT NEED A NEW TRANNY AND THAT IT WOULD BE $6500. LATER IN THE AFTERNOON THE HEAD OF THE SERVICE DEPT. CALLED SAYING THE GM HAD FORWARDED MY EMAIL AND THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO OFFER TO REDUCE THE COST TO $4K FOR ME. I TOLD HIM I HAD TO TALK TO MY FIANCE AND CALLED HIM BACK TELLING HIM THEY'D HAVE TO OFFER MORE THAN THAT TO GET ME TO NOT MOVE FORWARD SHARING MY ISSUES. I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK YET (IT IS NOW MONDAY EVENING) BUT I IMAGINE SOMEONE WILL CALL ME TOMORROW. REGARDLESS OF HOW MY LOCAL DEALER CHOOSES TO DEAL WITH ME I DO FEEL THIS IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT ISSUE IN THAT 2 SERVICE ADVISORS AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND CLEARLY THE GM DOES TOO OR SHE NEVER WOULD'VE FORWARDED MY EMAILS ON. I HOPE SOMEONE FORCES THEM TO DO A RECALL (AND REIMBURSE THOSE OF US WHO HAVE TO FIX OUR CARS NOW) AND/OR A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10243145
99,970 miles · Sep 17, 2008
Power Train
1. EVENTS LANDING UP TO THE FAILURE: NONE 2. CAR DOES NOT MOVE IN REVERSE WHEN PUT IN REVERSE GEAR. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. 3. CAR IS NOT OPERATIONAL PENDING REPAIRS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10242532
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
65,000 miles · Sep 15, 2008
Power Train
2000 BMW 3-SERIES: 63,000 MILES THE REVERSE WENT OUT ON MY TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10242266
54,182 miles · Sep 8, 2008
Power Train
2000 BMW 323I 54000 KM'S. REVERSE CLUTCH DOES NOT WORK. BMW WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE REVERSE CLUTCH ISSUE AND INSISTS ON REPLACING THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10241363
105,000 miles · Sep 5, 2008
Power Train
REVERSE GEAR WENT OUT OF TRANSMISSION WITH NO WARNING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10241035
88,000 miles · Sep 5, 2008
Power Train
OUT OF NO WERE TRANSMISSION STOP WORKING IN REVERSE,THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO VERY POOR CAST PART IN THE TRANSMISSION .COST TO FIX MINE@$2200. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10241005
115,000 miles · Aug 21, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages
DOOR LOCKS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10239218
69,246 miles · Aug 14, 2008
Power Train
CAR WAS OPERATING FINE. LEFT FOR LUNCH AT 11:30, BACKED CAR OUT OF PARKING PLACE. CAME BACK AT 3:45 AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. ZF 5HP19 TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10238164
115,000 miles · Aug 12, 2008
Power Train
I OWN A 2000 BMW 323 AND MY REVERSE JUST STOPPED WORKING. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT THAT WAS BUSY AND IT JUST HAPPENED OUT OF NOWHERE. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR BUILD UP JUST WHAMO IT HAPPENED. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO LOSE REVERSE AND IS A COSTLY REPAIR. UNFORTUNATELY I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THIS HAPPENED TO, PLEASE REFER TO WWW…
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I OWN A 2000 BMW 323 AND MY REVERSE JUST STOPPED WORKING. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT THAT WAS BUSY AND IT JUST HAPPENED OUT OF NOWHERE. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR BUILD UP JUST WHAMO IT HAPPENED. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO LOSE REVERSE AND IS A COSTLY REPAIR. UNFORTUNATELY I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THIS HAPPENED TO, PLEASE REFER TO WWW.NOREVERSE.ORG OR HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/BMW_TRANS.HTML TO SEE OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO THEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS BECAUSE IT IS DANGEROUS AND HAPPENING TO TOO MANY PEOPLE TO BE COINCIDENCE. THANKS *TR
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2000 BMW 323I Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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