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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

What owners actually said

401 reports
31,018 miles · Oct 26, 2006
Steering

CAR TYPE - 2000 BMW 323CI MILES WHEN PURCHASED NEW - 23 MILES WHEN FIRST INCIDENT OCCURED 29,725 MILES SEPT 13TH, 2002 MILES WHEN SERVICE CALL OPENED 31,018 - OCTOBER 23, 2002 I NOTICED A SWOOSHING NOISE CLOSE TO MY STEERING COLUMN AND SUBSEQUENTLY TURNING MY CAR BECAME MORE DIFFICULT. THIS LEAD TO SUBSTANTIAL GRINDING/WIND…

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CAR TYPE - 2000 BMW 323CI MILES WHEN PURCHASED NEW - 23 MILES WHEN FIRST INCIDENT OCCURED 29,725 MILES SEPT 13TH, 2002 MILES WHEN SERVICE CALL OPENED 31,018 - OCTOBER 23, 2002 I NOTICED A SWOOSHING NOISE CLOSE TO MY STEERING COLUMN AND SUBSEQUENTLY TURNING MY CAR BECAME MORE DIFFICULT. THIS LEAD TO SUBSTANTIAL GRINDING/WINDING NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE VEHICLE. POWER STEERING THEN WENT OUT ALTOGETHER AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST BMW SERVICE CENTER (SAN ANTONIO, TX 180 MILES AWAY). BMW CENTER- SAN ANTONIO REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND OTHER RELATED COMPONENTS UNDER WARRANTY. THIS ISSUES HAS REOCCURED FOUR TIMES, APPROXIMATELY 1 ONCE A YEAR AND AGAIN ON TUESDAY OCTOBER 24TH. THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE WRITE UP. NOW FROM THE REOCCURING DAMAGE, I HAVE TO REPLACE OTHER RELATED COMPONENTS AT MY EXPENSE - $1846, SINCE MY CAR'S WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. PLEASE HELP. JOE UGARTE . *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171895

66,000 miles · Oct 10, 2006
Power Train

WE BOUGHT A 2000 BMW 323I WHICH CURRENTLY ONLY HAS ABOUT 66,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR WILL SHIFT INTO REVERSE, BUT WILL NOT ACTUALLY MOVE BACKWARDS. IT JUST SITS THERE REVVING. THE CAR WILL DRIVE FORWARD, BUT NOT BACKWARDS. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSMISSION THERMOMETER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR A COST OF $450…

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WE BOUGHT A 2000 BMW 323I WHICH CURRENTLY ONLY HAS ABOUT 66,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR WILL SHIFT INTO REVERSE, BUT WILL NOT ACTUALLY MOVE BACKWARDS. IT JUST SITS THERE REVVING. THE CAR WILL DRIVE FORWARD, BUT NOT BACKWARDS. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSMISSION THERMOMETER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR A COST OF $4500.00. WE'VE DONE ALL THE NECESSARY MAINTENANCE ON THIS VEHICLE. I'VE SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH BMW, BUT OF COURSE, THEY'RE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY. THESE CARS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS STRANDED AT WORK WHEN THE CAR BROKE DOWN. NOW, I'M WITHOUT MY CAR AND ALSO DON'T HAVE THE EXTRA MONEY TO PUT TOWARDS A REPAIR OF $4500.00. FOR A HIGH END CAR, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THIS WILL MOST BE MY FIRST AND LAST BMW PURCHASE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10170419

149,000 miles · Aug 30, 2006
Tires

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRES AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE LOST AIR. THERE WERE CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES AND THE CRACKS WERE GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE TIRES WERE GOODYEAR, EAGLE TIRE; GP-H SIZE: P205/55/R16. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. UPDATED 10/…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRES AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE LOST AIR. THERE WERE CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES AND THE CRACKS WERE GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE TIRES WERE GOODYEAR, EAGLE TIRE; GP-H SIZE: P205/55/R16. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. UPDATED 10/25/2006 -*NM

NHTSA ODI #10167034

47,588 miles · Aug 20, 2006
Electrical System

2000 BMW 323I - EML, CHECK ENGINE SOON AND DSC LIGHTS CAME ON AND CAR POWERED DOWN ON THE FREEWAY (BRAKED ITSELF AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE). NEEDED TOW TO DEALER. CAR REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE THROTTLE BODY AND ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AND PROGRAMMED THE DME (DIGITAL MOTOR ELECTRONICS) . THIS DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM - THROTTL…

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2000 BMW 323I - EML, CHECK ENGINE SOON AND DSC LIGHTS CAME ON AND CAR POWERED DOWN ON THE FREEWAY (BRAKED ITSELF AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE). NEEDED TOW TO DEALER. CAR REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE THROTTLE BODY AND ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AND PROGRAMMED THE DME (DIGITAL MOTOR ELECTRONICS) . THIS DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM - THROTTLE BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THIS DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM AND AFTER PICKING UP CAR AT DEALERSHIP THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THIS REQUIRED THE RELAY TO BE REPLACED. THE DAY AFTER THE CAR WAS PICKED UP THE DOOR AND WINDOW LOCKS WERE INOPERABLE INTERMITTENTLY AND THE GEAR SELECTOR LIGHT WOULD GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME. THIS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE GENERAL MODULE. TOTAL REPAIR TIME - APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10166054

90,254 miles · Aug 14, 2006
Air BagsEquipmentCrashInjury

DRIVERS DOOR WAS IMPACTED AT APPROX. 50 MPH AND NEITHER SIDE AIRBAG OR SIDE CURTAIN DEPLOYED RESULTING IN A VERY SERIOUS LEFT HIP FRACTURE, COLLAPSED LUNG AND NUMEROUS LACERATIONS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10165456

34,000 miles · Jul 19, 2006
Power Train

THE CAR IS A 2000 BMW 323I WITH 34,000 MILES. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR/TRANSMISSION PRIOR TO THE REVERSE GEAR SUDDENLY FAILING TO ENGAGE WHILE THE CAR WAS IN TRAFFIC AND NEEDED TO BE REVERSED TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING CARS. THE REVERSE GEAR CONTINUES TO FAIL, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS DRIVING FORWARD. DEA…

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THE CAR IS A 2000 BMW 323I WITH 34,000 MILES. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR/TRANSMISSION PRIOR TO THE REVERSE GEAR SUDDENLY FAILING TO ENGAGE WHILE THE CAR WAS IN TRAFFIC AND NEEDED TO BE REVERSED TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING CARS. THE REVERSE GEAR CONTINUES TO FAIL, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS DRIVING FORWARD. DEALER STATES THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE COMPLETELY REPLACED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SIMILAR REPORTS OF TRANSMISSION & REVERSE GEAR FAILURE SPECIFIC TO 2000 BMW 323I LISTED HERE AND OTHER FORUMS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10162854

120,005 miles · Jun 23, 2006
Power Train

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. THE ISSUE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THE HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10160563

60,558 miles · Jun 21, 2006
Visibility

323I BMW 4 DOOR, 2000. MAJOR PROBLEM WITH ALL MY POWER WINDOWS GOING OUT. THE SERVICE REP AT THE DEALER JUST SHRUGS HIS SHOULDERS AND SAYS "IT HAPPENS". I SAID THAT FOUR POWER WINDOWS TO GO OUT IN SIX YEARS IS EXCESSIVE. THREE OF WHICH ARE HARDLY EVER USED SINCE I AM THE ONLY ONE EVER IN THE CAR. HE REPLIED THAT YOU DON'T B…

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323I BMW 4 DOOR, 2000. MAJOR PROBLEM WITH ALL MY POWER WINDOWS GOING OUT. THE SERVICE REP AT THE DEALER JUST SHRUGS HIS SHOULDERS AND SAYS "IT HAPPENS". I SAID THAT FOUR POWER WINDOWS TO GO OUT IN SIX YEARS IS EXCESSIVE. THREE OF WHICH ARE HARDLY EVER USED SINCE I AM THE ONLY ONE EVER IN THE CAR. HE REPLIED THAT YOU DON'T BUY A BMW TO BE EASY ON THE CHECKBOOK. I SAID I BOUGHT ONE BECAUSE I THOUGHT THEY WERE RELIABLE. HE ACTED LIKE THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. 6/20/06 RIGHT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR WENT OUT $394.16, 9/2/04 DRIVERS WINDOW REGULATOR WENT OUT $340.43, 10/27/03 PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATOR WENT OUT APPROX. $350, 10/27/03 SUNROOF WINDOW FAILED AND THEY DID A TEMPORARY FIX AT A COST OF $264.54 AND SAID IT WAS NOT GUARANTEED. IT WOULD COST AN ADDITIONAL $1665! APPARENTLY ALL THE SLIDERS WERE BROKEN. I PROBABLY ONLY OPENED THE SUNROOF A DOZEN TIMES IN THE THREE YEAR PERIOD, THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT WITH SUCH LITTLE USE. NONE OF THESE WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY SINCE THEY ALL OCCURRED THREE YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. I HAVE HAD MANY OTHER THINGS GO OUT IN THIS CAR COSTING CLOSE TO $10,000 TO REPAIR IN THE PAST SIX YEARS. SEEMS EXCESSIVE TO ME. LAST TIME I COMMENTED ON THIS THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP SAID QUOTE "IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE FROM HERE". I WILL NOT BE BUYING ANOTHER BMW. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10160314

Mileage unknown · May 12, 2006
Structure

MY 2000 BMW 323 CIC WAS SHUDDERING WHEN I DROVE IT. I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAD BROKEN AWAY FROM THE SUBFRAME. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 70,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE ONLY CAUSE APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OR MANUFACTURER OF THIS PARTICULAR CAR. BMW …

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MY 2000 BMW 323 CIC WAS SHUDDERING WHEN I DROVE IT. I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAD BROKEN AWAY FROM THE SUBFRAME. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 70,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE ONLY CAUSE APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OR MANUFACTURER OF THIS PARTICULAR CAR. BMW HAS RECALLED THIS VEHICLE IN GERMANY BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT DONE SO HERE. IT WILL COST ME $3,300 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND BMW HAS NOT AGREED TO COVER IT UNDER THE WARRANTY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10157451

20,000 miles · May 11, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. SUBSEQUENTLY, TURNING THE VEHICLE INTO A 360 DEGREE SPIN THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE RETAINING WALL. THIS WAS A FULL FRONTAL IMPACT, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE. HOWEVER, INJURIES WERE SUSTAINE…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. SUBSEQUENTLY, TURNING THE VEHICLE INTO A 360 DEGREE SPIN THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE RETAINING WALL. THIS WAS A FULL FRONTAL IMPACT, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE. HOWEVER, INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER AND WAS AWAITING INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. UPDATED 06/12/2006. *AK UPDATED 6/16/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10157387

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.