IllustrationTHE REVERSE GEAR IS NOT WORKING. I CANNOT REVERSE... THIS OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON.
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 reportsTHE VEHICLE DOES NOT GO IN REVERSE. IT WORK INTERMITTENTLY RANDOMLY. I NOTICE THE COMPLAINTS ON LINE IN WWW.NOREVERSE.ORG. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP *TR
THE VEHICLE HAS A HARD TIME REVERSING, I CAN COMMAND IT TO REVERSE BUT SOMETIMES NOTHING HAPPENS LIKE IT IS IN NEUTRAL, THE CAR IS A 2000 AND ONLY HAS 96K MILES. THIS PAST MONTH I HAVE SPOKEN WITH BMW ABOUT THE ISSUE. I LET THEM KNOW I FEEL IT POSES A SAFETY RISK BUT THEY SAID THEY CANNOT HELP ME. EVEN THOUGH IT IS CLEARLY A MFG…
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THE VEHICLE HAS A HARD TIME REVERSING, I CAN COMMAND IT TO REVERSE BUT SOMETIMES NOTHING HAPPENS LIKE IT IS IN NEUTRAL, THE CAR IS A 2000 AND ONLY HAS 96K MILES. THIS PAST MONTH I HAVE SPOKEN WITH BMW ABOUT THE ISSUE. I LET THEM KNOW I FEEL IT POSES A SAFETY RISK BUT THEY SAID THEY CANNOT HELP ME. EVEN THOUGH IT IS CLEARLY A MFG. DEFECT. JUST HOPING TO HAVE AN ADVOCATE TO HELP ME. THE CAR IS STATIONARY ON A STREET.
THE CAR GOT STUCK IN THE DRIVEWAY. NO REVERSE. FORWARD STILL WORKING.
THE CAR WILL NOT GO IN REVERSE
GOT IN CAR FIRST THING IN THE MORNING PUT IT IN REVERSE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. IT WAS LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THEN CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS AS IT WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE APPLIED BREAKS AND PUT CAR IN DRIVE AND ALL THE FORWARD GEARS WORKED FINE, TRIED REVERSE AGAIN AND SAME THING HAPPENED DIDN'T MOVE NO MATTER HOW MUCH THROTTLE WAS AP…
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GOT IN CAR FIRST THING IN THE MORNING PUT IT IN REVERSE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. IT WAS LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THEN CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS AS IT WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE APPLIED BREAKS AND PUT CAR IN DRIVE AND ALL THE FORWARD GEARS WORKED FINE, TRIED REVERSE AGAIN AND SAME THING HAPPENED DIDN'T MOVE NO MATTER HOW MUCH THROTTLE WAS APPLIED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION/WARNING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM,BEFORE THIS THE TRANSMISSION WORKED GREAT NO PROBLEMS AT ALL.THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AS IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING IT COULD SERIOUSLY INJURE OR KILL SOMEONE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 323I. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 323I. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,920.
THERE IS AN AIRBAG RECALL AND ITS NEARLY A YEAR WHERE BMW IS SAYING THEY ARE WAITING ON PARTS. I THINK THAT IS RIDICULOUS. I COULDN'T TELL THEM I AM WAITING ON MONEY TO PAY THEM. THERE IS NO ACTUAL INCIDENT. THIS IS JUST A COMPLAINT. THANKS.
I RECEIVED A VEHICLE RECALL FROM BMW IN SEPTEMBER 2014 FOR MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG. MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM MOMENTUM BMW OF HOUSTON ( 713-5963400). I HEARD NOTHING FURTHER AND IN NOV 2014 CALLED MOMENTUM BMW. I WAS TOLD THEY KNEW NOTHING OF THE RECALL BUT THEY TOOK MY NAME, VIN AND DATA. ON DECEMBER 12TH I STOPPED B…
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I RECEIVED A VEHICLE RECALL FROM BMW IN SEPTEMBER 2014 FOR MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG. MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM MOMENTUM BMW OF HOUSTON ( 713-5963400). I HEARD NOTHING FURTHER AND IN NOV 2014 CALLED MOMENTUM BMW. I WAS TOLD THEY KNEW NOTHING OF THE RECALL BUT THEY TOOK MY NAME, VIN AND DATA. ON DECEMBER 12TH I STOPPED BY THEIR DEALERSHIP AND WENT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I WAS NOW TOLD THAT NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR MY REPAIR BECAUSE I HAD NOT COME IN TO HAVE THEM ORDERED. SO I WENT THROUGH THIS PROCESS - PROVIDING ONCE AGAIN, ADDRESS, VIN CONTACT INFORMATION ETC. I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN I COULD COME IN AND HAVE THE AIRBAG REPLACED. NOW ON MARCH 6TH I HAVE STILL NOT BEEN CONTACTED AND AFTER 4 TELEPHONE CALL ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO TALK TO ANYONE IN THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I LEFT A VOICE MESSAGE FOR THEIR SERVICE MANAGER TO CONTACT ME. SO IN SHORT, 6 MONTHS AFTER BEING NOTIFIED BY BMW (IN WRITING) THAT MY CAR NEEDS A PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG REPLACEMENT THE RESPONSIBLE BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS NEVER CONTACTED ME. I AM SENDING IN THIS NOTIFICATION AS INSTRUCTED ON MY WRITTEN LETTER - "IF YOUR BMW CENTER IS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE DEFECT WITHOUT CHARGE OR WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME, NOTIFY THE ADMINISTRATOR, NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 323I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE C…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 323I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
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.