IllustrationAS HAS BEEN THE CASE WITH MANY OTHER OWNERS, MY REVERSE GEAR IS ESSENTIALLY GONE. MY CAR WILL ROLL IF I HAVE A SLIGHT GRADE, BUT THERE IS NO POWER IN REVERSE. DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR DOES NOTHING BUT REV THE ENGINE WHEN IN REVERSE. ALL FORWARD GEARS IN TRANSMISSION WORK SMOOTHLY AND FLAWLESSLY. *TR
2000 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
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 reportsNO REVERSE GEAR. NO WARNING. *TR
I OWN A 2000 323I BMW AND IT HAS STOPPED TO GO INTO REVERSE. APPARENTLY THE TRANSMISSION IS TO BE BLAMED FOR IT AND THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. APPARENTLY THERE ARE 60 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS POSTED ON THE CONSUMER AFFAIR WEBSITE THAT SAME YEAR AND MODEL OF CAR HAS HAD THIS CONTINUING ISSUE. *TR
VERY WELL MAINTAINED 2000 BMW 323I. SUDDENLY OUT OF THE BLUE "NO REVERSE". *TR
I HAVE A 2000 BMW 323I. ON ABOUT AUGUST 29, 2007, I WAS TRYING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, BUT I COULD NOT. THE REVERSE GEAR IN MY CAR WAS NOT WORKING. I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION WITH A USED UNIT, COSTING ME $2595. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR BMW 323I. *TR
REVERSE WENT OUT ON CAR @ 104,000 MILES. TOLD BY REPAIR SHOP THAT THE CAR WOULD NEED A $5,000.00+ REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. UNACCEPTABLE. I EAGERLY AWAIT THE PENDING CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT! *TR
TRANSMISSION REVERSE NO LONGER OPERATIONAL ON 2000 323I BMW SEDAN. REVERSE ACTS AS IF IN NEUTRAL. REPAIR REQUIRED: REPLACE DRUM IN TRANSMISSION. COST OVER $1,900. *TR
I WAS BACKING INTO MY GARAGE LIKE NORMAL WHEN WITH NO WARNING MY CAR WOULDN'T GO INTO REVERSE, THE RPM JUST REVVED UP. I THEN CALLED MY BMW SERVICE CENTER TO FIND OUT THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR ABOUT $5,200. AFTER ALMOST CHOKING I LOOKED ONLINE TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM THOUSANDS …
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I WAS BACKING INTO MY GARAGE LIKE NORMAL WHEN WITH NO WARNING MY CAR WOULDN'T GO INTO REVERSE, THE RPM JUST REVVED UP. I THEN CALLED MY BMW SERVICE CENTER TO FIND OUT THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR ABOUT $5,200. AFTER ALMOST CHOKING I LOOKED ONLINE TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE NOW HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY WON'T BMW FIX THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM? *TR
AS REPORTED BY MANY, MANY, OTHER BMW 323I CAR OWNERS, I TOO, HAVE LOST THE ABILITY TO GO IN REVERSE. JUST LIKE THE COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE ALL OVER THE INTERNET SAY, THE CAR JUST SITS THERE WHEN YOU PUT IT IN REVERSE, AS IF IT'S IN NEUTRAL. YOU CAN REV THE ENGINE, BUT YOU GO NOWHERE. AND LIKE THE OTHERS MENTIONED, I'VE CALLED …
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AS REPORTED BY MANY, MANY, OTHER BMW 323I CAR OWNERS, I TOO, HAVE LOST THE ABILITY TO GO IN REVERSE. JUST LIKE THE COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE ALL OVER THE INTERNET SAY, THE CAR JUST SITS THERE WHEN YOU PUT IT IN REVERSE, AS IF IT'S IN NEUTRAL. YOU CAN REV THE ENGINE, BUT YOU GO NOWHERE. AND LIKE THE OTHERS MENTIONED, I'VE CALLED BMW, BUT CUSTOMER RELATIONS SAYS THEY'RE NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEM, AND WON'T ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY SINCE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. IT ONLY HAD 69,600 MILES ON IT WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. A LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD COST THOUSANDS TO FIX IT, AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO MAKE THOSE REPAIRS AFTER I BRING IT IN, AND PAY THEM $100 FOR THE DIAGNOSIS. I'VE CALLED 3 DIFFERENT AUTO REPAIR SHOPS AND EACH ONE IS VERY, VERY, FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. ONE SHOP OWNER SAID THE 1999 AND 2000 MODEL 323I'S HAD THE SAME BAD TRANSMISSION, AND THAT HE'S REPAIRED THE SAME PROBLEM IN EVERY ONE THAT HAS CROSSED HIS PATH. PLUS, MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THAT BMW HAS COME UP WITH AN UPDATED PART TO MAKE THE REPAIR. SO WHY WOULD BMW MAKE A NEW PART IF THERE IS NO SUCH PROBLEM? PLUS, THIS IS BECOMING A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAD TO PUSH MY CAR TO GET OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, AND IT NEARLY RAN OVER ME. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY! *TR
I HAVE A 2000 3.23I BMW . IT HAS BEEN DEALER SERVICED AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION . IT HAS 89,000 MILES. THE OTHER DAY I TRIED TO BACK OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE AND THE CAR WOULDN'T GO IN REVERSE. IT DRIVES FINE ,SO I TOOK IT TO PRINCETONL BMW AND WAS IN FORMED I WOULD NEED ANOTHER TRANSMISSION. I AM VERY UPSET ,THE COST FOR RE…
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I HAVE A 2000 3.23I BMW . IT HAS BEEN DEALER SERVICED AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION . IT HAS 89,000 MILES. THE OTHER DAY I TRIED TO BACK OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE AND THE CAR WOULDN'T GO IN REVERSE. IT DRIVES FINE ,SO I TOOK IT TO PRINCETONL BMW AND WAS IN FORMED I WOULD NEED ANOTHER TRANSMISSION. I AM VERY UPSET ,THE COST FOR REPAIR -5400.00. . I HAPPENED UPON THIS SITE (WWW.NOREVERSE.ORG) WHILE LOOKING FOR A TRANSMISSION AND CAN NOT BELIEVE ALL THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM. BMW NEEDS TO RECALL THIS TRANSMISSION AS IT IS DEFECTIVE. *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.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.