Air Bags. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports8 fire reports17 injury reports

Seats complaints

3 reports

Clear category filter

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2012

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSeats

Read full complaint

PURCHASED THE CAR USED, IN JANUARY 2011, WITH APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MILES. VEHICLE HAD SEVERAL STORED ENGINE CODES, PO0300,171,174,1345,1351,1353; MOSTLY RELATING TO OXYGEN SENSORS AND THE MAF. ALL ENGINE HOSES, THE MAF, ALL 4 OXYGEN SENSORS AND THE IGNITION COIL PACKS WERE REPLACED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF NORMAL DRIVING, ALL CODES HAD RETURNED. MECHANIC IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE POINTS OF FAILURE FOR THESE ISSUES AND BMW DENIES ANY EXISTING PROBLEM THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT, TURNS ON AND OFF, RANDOMLY, WHETHER SOMEONE IS SITTING THERE, OR NOT. FAILURE OF THE SENSOR COULD CAUSE THE AB NOT TO DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT, CAUSING SERIOUS, IF NOT FATAL, INJURY. BMW IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, DOES NOT REPLACE/REPAIR. DOOR LOCK/WINDOW/WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE, KNOWN AS GM5, FAILS RANDOMLY AND OFTEN. IT HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES, WHILE I WAS IN THE CAR. SINCE IT DISABLES THE DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOWS, I WAS TRAPPED IN MY CAR FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. THANKFULLY, I HAD THE WINDOW ROLLED DOWN FAR ENOUGH TO PASS MY KEYS TO SOMEONE ON THE OUTSIDE, SO THEY COULD UNLOCK THE DOOR. IN AN ACCIDENT, PASSENGERS COULD BE STUCK, KEEPING EMERGENCY WORKERS FROM GIVING THEM MEDICAL ATTENTION, IN A TIMELY FASHION. BMW IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT DENIES IT'S EXISTENCE. I ALSO RECEIVE RANDOM EXTERIOR LIGHT OUT WARNINGS, ON THE DASH. USUALLY, IT'S BOTH TAILLIGHTS, BUT MORE FREQUENTLY, IT IS THE DRIVER SIDE LIGHT SENSOR, THAT FAILS, THOUGH THE LIGHT IS ACTUALLY WORKING, JUST FINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10455224

198,000 miles · Mar 5, 2012

SeatsFireInjury

THE SEAT HEATER CAUGHT FIRE BURNING A HOLE IN THE SEAT, SINGING MY JEANS AND MY LEG (MINOR BURN, NOT MEDICALLY TREATED), AND CAUSING THE AIR BAG SENSOR TO MELT. BMW HAS RECALLED THESE SEATS IN OTHER MODELS BUT NOT THIS ONE. I SENT THE INFORMATION TO BMW AND AM AWAITING A RESPONSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450372

70,000 miles · Jan 17, 2006

SeatsVehicle Speed ControlInjury

Read full complaint

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS REPLACED. ONE YEAR LATER WHILE DRIVING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DETACHED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS REPLACED AGAIN. THE CONTACT ALSO REPORTED ANOTHER SAFETY DEFECT. WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVER SEAT, THE HEATED SEAT COILS BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT CAUSING INJURY TO THE CONTACT AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. UPDATED 02/24/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10147961

Official recalls

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.

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.

02V138000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

May 16, 2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. THIS IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A RECALL THAT BEGAN DURING SEPTEMBER 2001 (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V206). 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.

01V206000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

Jun 21, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.

Consequence & remedy

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. 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.

00V383000 · Wheels:rim

Nov 20, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE MACHINE USED TO MOUNT AND INFLATE THE TIRES ON THE WHEELS AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT MAY HAVE DAMAGED THE INNER RIM FLANGE OF THE WHEELS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR FROM THE TIRE AFFECTING HANDLING AND VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FIVE WHEELS FOR POSSIBLE DAMAGE. IF DAMAGE FROM THE MOUNTING MACHINE IS FOUND ON ANY WHEEL, ALL FIVE WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED.

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

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.