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2000 BMW 328CI

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

Limited mileage data: 12 of 15 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Structure. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Power Train complaints

5 reports
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135,000 miles · Sep 22, 2014
Power TrainStructureSuspension

I OWN A 2000 BMW 328 CI. IT ALSO HAS HAD A REAR END SUB FRAME FAILURE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN FOUND AT FAULT FOR BY THE STATE OF CA IN A LAWSUIT DATED IN 2006. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THEIR ATTENTION AND THEY ADMITTED THIER FAILED DESIGN, AND BECAUSE SOMEONE HAD TO TRIED TO REPAIR IT BEFORE THEY SOLD IT TO ME, OF COURSE WITHOUT INFORMIN…

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I OWN A 2000 BMW 328 CI. IT ALSO HAS HAD A REAR END SUB FRAME FAILURE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN FOUND AT FAULT FOR BY THE STATE OF CA IN A LAWSUIT DATED IN 2006. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THEIR ATTENTION AND THEY ADMITTED THIER FAILED DESIGN, AND BECAUSE SOMEONE HAD TO TRIED TO REPAIR IT BEFORE THEY SOLD IT TO ME, OF COURSE WITHOUT INFORMING ME ABOUT, THEY REFUSED TO DO WARRANTY WORK ON IT, BECAUSE A FEEBLE ATTEMPT AT REINFORCING A FAILED SUB FRAME MOUNT. FAST FORWARD TO NOW, THEY OFFERED ME 2000 DOLLARS ON A 6100 DOLLAR REPAIR BECAUSE THEY HAVE ADMITTED FAULT. NOW THEY RE-NAGGED THEIR OFFER, BECAUSE RATHER THAN DOING IT THEIR WAY, I HAD THE MOUNTS UPGRADED WITH BETTER STEEL AND MOUNTS RATHER THAN USE THEIR FAILED DESIGN. THEY CONTINUE TO TELL ME THEY ARE DOING ME A FAVOR, WHEN IT IS THEIR FAILED DESIGN IN THE FIRST PLACE, WHICH THEY ADMIT TO. WHEN IS IT A FAVOR FOR BUYING A CAR THAT HAS A FAILED FRAME DESIGN, AND HAVING THE COMPANY NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT WHEN THE FAILURE COULD BE THE REAR END FALLING OUT, AS HAS OCCURRED TO MANY PEOPLE, AND SOMETHING THEY ADMIT TO. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND ALSO GOES AGAINST EVERY TYPE OF DESIGN ETHICS THOUGHT TO EXIST. WHEN COMPANIES FAIL ON THIS CALIBER, IT HAS THE SAME POTENTIAL TO KILL SOMEONE FOR SOMETHING THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10638268

120,000 miles · Mar 29, 2013
Power TrainStructureSuspension

I WAS LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD HORRIBLE NOISE'S COMING FROM UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL. I THEN JACKED UP MY CAR TO SEE IF ANYTHING WAS VISUALLY WRONG AND COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT I SAW THE REAR SUBFRAME THAT BOLTS TO THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR HAD RIPED THROUGH THE METAL. SCARY! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504960

150,205 miles · Mar 21, 2013
Power TrainStructureSuspension

THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP COMPLAINT TO MY NHTSA-ODI 10503685 INCIDENT DESCRIPTION, WHICH DESCRIBES A SERIOUS SUBFRAME FAILURE THAT OCCURRED TO MY CAR. THE FORTUNATE SURVIVORS OF THE MANY SUBFRAME FAILURE INCIDENTS WHO FILED A BMW 3-SERIES AUTOMOBILE SUBFRAME FAILURE COMPLAINT HAVE ALLEGED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE SUB…

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THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP COMPLAINT TO MY NHTSA-ODI 10503685 INCIDENT DESCRIPTION, WHICH DESCRIBES A SERIOUS SUBFRAME FAILURE THAT OCCURRED TO MY CAR. THE FORTUNATE SURVIVORS OF THE MANY SUBFRAME FAILURE INCIDENTS WHO FILED A BMW 3-SERIES AUTOMOBILE SUBFRAME FAILURE COMPLAINT HAVE ALLEGED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY DESIGN IN THESE CARS. ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA, ALL "COMPLAINT INFORMATION WILL BE ENTERED INTO NHTSA-ODI'S VEHICLE OWNER'S COMPLAINT DATABASE AND USED WITH OTHER COMPLAINTS TO DETERMINE IF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND EXISTS." "IF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN A MOTOR VEHICLE OR ITEM OF MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT, THE MANUFACTURER MUST PROVIDE A REMEDY AT NO COST TO THE OWNER." "WE DO NOT HAVE TO RECEIVE A SPECIFIC NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS BEFORE WE LOOK INTO A PROBLEM." "WE GATHER ALL AVAILABLE INFORMATION ON A PROBLEM." "YOUR COMPLAINT IS IMPORTANT TO US." THIS COMPLAINT SPECIFICALLY ALLEGES THAT THE MANY BMW 3-SERIES SUBFRAME FAILURE SAFETY COMPLAINTS HAVE (1) NOT BEEN USED BY THE NHTSA "TO DETERMINE IF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND EXISTS." (2) BMW IS NOT PROVIDING A REMEDY AT NO COST TO OWNERS BECAUSE THE NHTSA HAS EITHER NOT INVESTIGATED THE COMPLAINTS AT ALL, OR HAS NOT INVESTIGATED THEM SUFFICIENTLY TO DETERMINE IF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND EXISTS (!) (3) THESE COMPLAINTS ARE OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO ALL OF US WHO HAVE FILED THE COMPLAINTS. THE MISSION OF THE NHTSA SHOULD BE TO DETERMINE IF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND EXISTS IN ORDER TO PREVENT CRASHES, FIRES, INJURIES, AND FATALITIES; NOT VICE VERSA. NHTSA, I AM ASKING YOU TO PROMPTLY INVESTIGATE THESE BMW 3-SERIES SUBFRAME FAILURE SAFETY COMPLAINTS IN ORDER TO DETERMINE ONCE AND FOR ALL IF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND EXISTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503871

150,205 miles · Mar 19, 2013
Power TrainStructureSuspension

THE REAR SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY TORE OFF AT THE LEFT REAR DIFFERENTIAL/AXLE MOUNT POINTS, RENDERING THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. BMW OF NORTH SCOTTSDALE (SCOTTSDALE, AZ) INSPECTED THE DAMAGE AND VERIFIED THAT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A SMOOTH HIGHWAY. INSPECTIONS BY BMW OF NORTH SCOTTSDALE, PENSKE AUTOMOTIV…

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THE REAR SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY TORE OFF AT THE LEFT REAR DIFFERENTIAL/AXLE MOUNT POINTS, RENDERING THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. BMW OF NORTH SCOTTSDALE (SCOTTSDALE, AZ) INSPECTED THE DAMAGE AND VERIFIED THAT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A SMOOTH HIGHWAY. INSPECTIONS BY BMW OF NORTH SCOTTSDALE, PENSKE AUTOMOTIVE COLLISION, AND MERCURY AUTO INSURANCE AGENTS FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF IMPACT. THE CONSENSUS OF EXPERT OPINION IS THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO METAL FATIGUE, AND THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH BMW E46 3 SERIES AUTOMOBILES. THE INEVITABLE SUBFRAME FAILURE IN THESE CARS, IN MANY INSTANCES HAVING OCCURRED AT LOW ODOMETER MILEAGE, HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND CONSEQUENT LOSS OF LIFE. I WAS TOTALLY UNAWARE OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE IN MY CAR BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED, BECAUSE BMW HAS NEVER ISSUED A RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503685

136,000 miles · Feb 21, 2013
Power TrainStructureSuspension

AROUND CHRISTMAS OF 2012 I STARTED TO NOTICE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR OF MY CAR WHEN TORQUE IS APPLIED TO THE BODY OF THE CAR BY THE DIFFERENTIAL. THIS IS AN INDICATION OF THE BODY'S SUBFRAME FAILING. BMW NEEDS TO ISSUE A FULL RECALL FOR EARLY MODEL E46 CARS. I DO NOT HAVE A JOB AND NOW MY CAR IS A HAZARD TO DRIVE DUE TO THI…

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AROUND CHRISTMAS OF 2012 I STARTED TO NOTICE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR OF MY CAR WHEN TORQUE IS APPLIED TO THE BODY OF THE CAR BY THE DIFFERENTIAL. THIS IS AN INDICATION OF THE BODY'S SUBFRAME FAILING. BMW NEEDS TO ISSUE A FULL RECALL FOR EARLY MODEL E46 CARS. I DO NOT HAVE A JOB AND NOW MY CAR IS A HAZARD TO DRIVE DUE TO THIS ISSUE; THIS MAKES IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO FIX EFFECTIVELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499616

Official recalls

4

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.

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.