IllustrationCentral locking module failed , car will not lock unlock
1999 BMW 328I
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1999 BMW 328I do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 98.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 328I 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
20–25K
725–50K
650–75K
675–100K
15100–150K
12150K+
48 reports with mileage · 50 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.
- Air Bags. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports2 fire reports6 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
7 reports1999 BMW 328I. VEHICLE IS REGISTERED AND IS A DAILY DRIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON 05/01/2021 IN THE BOSTON AREA ON A SMOOTH ROAD AT NIGHT, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR & SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. NO ACCIDENT, NO POTHOLES, NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY, JUST DRIVING AND THEN AN EXPLOSION FROM AIRBAGS AND THE …
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1999 BMW 328I. VEHICLE IS REGISTERED AND IS A DAILY DRIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON 05/01/2021 IN THE BOSTON AREA ON A SMOOTH ROAD AT NIGHT, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR & SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. NO ACCIDENT, NO POTHOLES, NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY, JUST DRIVING AND THEN AN EXPLOSION FROM AIRBAGS AND THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO IMMOBILIZED AT THE BATTERY.
GM5 CONTROL MODULE DOOR LOCK FAILURE. INTERMITTENT FAILURE, USUALLY IN HOT OR HUMID WEATHER, CAUSES DOOR UNLOCKING TO FAIL USING EITHER THE KEY FOB OR THE CONSOLE BUTTON. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE DOORS CANNOT BE UNLOCKED FROM THE INSIDE. ONLY THE DRIVER DOOR CAN BE UNLOCKED USING THE PHYSICAL KEY INSERTED FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE …
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GM5 CONTROL MODULE DOOR LOCK FAILURE. INTERMITTENT FAILURE, USUALLY IN HOT OR HUMID WEATHER, CAUSES DOOR UNLOCKING TO FAIL USING EITHER THE KEY FOB OR THE CONSOLE BUTTON. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE DOORS CANNOT BE UNLOCKED FROM THE INSIDE. ONLY THE DRIVER DOOR CAN BE UNLOCKED USING THE PHYSICAL KEY INSERTED FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE DOOR! THERE ARE ENTIRE WEBSITES, MESSAGE BOARDS, AND EVEN MICRO-BUSINESSES DEDICATED TO FIXING THIS FLAW IN THE GM5 CONTROL MODULE, BUT I FEEL THIS IS ALSO A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE AS PASSENGERS CANNOT EXIT THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS MALFUNCTION OCCURS. IN AN EMERGENCY, THE ONLY OPTION WILL BE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS AND CRAWL OUT OR BREAK A WINDOW IF THE WINDOW CONTROLS ALSO FAIL, AS SOME PEOPLE ALSO REPORT. *TR
CAR PARKED IN THE GARAGE OVER 24HRS IGNITED AND RESULTED INTO FIRE. NO KNOWN ISSUE BEFORE THE INCIDENT OCCUR, FROM THE LOOKS OF THE CAR THE FIRE STARTED IN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AND COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL. NO AFTER MARKET INSTALLED EQUIPMENT, NO EQUIPMENT LEFT INSIDE THE CAR THAT HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE. ALMOST BURN…
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CAR PARKED IN THE GARAGE OVER 24HRS IGNITED AND RESULTED INTO FIRE. NO KNOWN ISSUE BEFORE THE INCIDENT OCCUR, FROM THE LOOKS OF THE CAR THE FIRE STARTED IN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AND COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL. NO AFTER MARKET INSTALLED EQUIPMENT, NO EQUIPMENT LEFT INSIDE THE CAR THAT HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE. ALMOST BURNED DOWN MY HOUSE. *TR
THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM (GM5 MODULE) IS MALFUNCTIONING AS IT FAILS TO OPEN THE DOOR LOCKS. THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN MANUALLY AND THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN WE CANT EXIT THE VEHICLE. ONLY AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS DOES THE DOOR FINALLY OPEN. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT OR THE TE…
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THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM (GM5 MODULE) IS MALFUNCTIONING AS IT FAILS TO OPEN THE DOOR LOCKS. THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN MANUALLY AND THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN WE CANT EXIT THE VEHICLE. ONLY AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS DOES THE DOOR FINALLY OPEN. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT OR THE TEMPERATURE RISES THAT REQUIRES IMMEDIATE EXITING OF THE VEHICLE.
I HAVE A 1999 BMW 328I (E46 BODY). WITHIN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, I HAVE HAD RECURRING ISSUES, USUALLY ON HOT OR COLD DAYS, WHERE THE DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOWS WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN LOCKED, THE CAR ALARM WILL GO OFF AT RANDOM INTERVALS. I'VE EVEN HAD ONE INSTANCE WHERE THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP AUTOMATICALLY A…
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I HAVE A 1999 BMW 328I (E46 BODY). WITHIN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, I HAVE HAD RECURRING ISSUES, USUALLY ON HOT OR COLD DAYS, WHERE THE DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOWS WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN LOCKED, THE CAR ALARM WILL GO OFF AT RANDOM INTERVALS. I'VE EVEN HAD ONE INSTANCE WHERE THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP AUTOMATICALLY AND THE DOORS LOCKED WHILE I WAS STILL IN THE CAR AND THE ONLY WAY I COULD GET OUT WAS BY UNLOCKING THE DOORS WITH THE ELECTRIC KEY FOB. NEITHER OPENING THE DOOR HANDLE OR UNLOCKING FROM THE CENTER CONSOLE WORKED. SOME RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THESE SYMPTOMS ARE COMMON INDICATORS OF A FAULTY GM5 MODULE AND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN. GETTING IT FIXED WOULD REQUIRE A SERVICE VISIT, PERHAPS MULTIPLE DIAGNOSES, AND CLOSE TO $1000.00 TO FIX. I FEEL THAT BMW SHOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AS IT IS A FAIRLY SEVERE SAFETY CONCERN. I WOULD NOT WANT TO FIND MYSELF LOCKED IN MY CAR WITH NO WAY TO EXIT. *TR
ABOUT 6 A.M., THERE WAS A BIG BOOM; FIRE SPREAD TO GARAGE (TWO CAR), BURNING IT TO THE GROUND AND BURNING UP, ADDITIONALLY, MOST OF OUR GARDEN EQUIPMENT, ALL OF OUR FISHING GEAR, AND MANY MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. THIS WAS AT OUR SUMMER HOME IN VIRGINIA, WHOSE TELEPHONE NUMBER I HAVE GIVEN YOU. YOU CAN TALK TO MY HUSBAND, SEABORN P. …
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ABOUT 6 A.M., THERE WAS A BIG BOOM; FIRE SPREAD TO GARAGE (TWO CAR), BURNING IT TO THE GROUND AND BURNING UP, ADDITIONALLY, MOST OF OUR GARDEN EQUIPMENT, ALL OF OUR FISHING GEAR, AND MANY MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. THIS WAS AT OUR SUMMER HOME IN VIRGINIA, WHOSE TELEPHONE NUMBER I HAVE GIVEN YOU. YOU CAN TALK TO MY HUSBAND, SEABORN P. JONES, WHO WAS PRESENT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. I AM IN PHILADELPHIA FOR THE MONTH OF JULY. P CAMPBELL. *AK
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.
19V851000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Nov 26, 2019
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 1999 323i and 328i vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata at one specific inflator production facility. 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: Dealers will inspect the driver air bag inflators and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: BMW recommends that owners do not continue to drive their vehicles.
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.
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.
99V100000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages
May 3, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE RETAINING CLIP THAT SECURES THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUSHROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM WAS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED DURING PRODUCTION. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE CLIP TO DETACH FROM THE PIN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM ALLOWING THE PUSHROD TO DISCONNECT FROM THE ARM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, BRAKING IS NOT POSSIBLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLIP FOR TIGHT INSTALLATION AND REPLACE THE CLIP IF IT IS LOOSE.
99V063000 · Air Bags:side/window
Mar 26, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH A SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM CONSISTING OF DOOR-MOUNTED THORAX AIR BAGS (REAR DOOR AIR BAGS ARE OPTIONAL), A HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM (HPS) FOR FRONT OCCUPANTS, A CENTRAL ELECTRONIC SENSOR AND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM, LEFT AND RIGHT SATELLITE IMPACT SENSORS, AND ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS SYSTEM IS UNDULY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS, SUCH AS CONTACTING LARGE POTHOLES OR CURBS AT SUBSTANTIAL SPEED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE SIDE AIR BAG AND HPS TO DEPLOY WITHOUT AN ACTUAL SIDE CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL (BST) WOULD ALSO ACTIVATE, DISCONNECTING THE STARTER CABLE FROM THE BATTERY. IN THIS CASE, VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE AND THE ENGINE WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN, BUT AFTER STOPPING, COULD NOT BE RESTARTED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE CENTRAL COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE THAT REGULATES THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL OF THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEMS.
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.