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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

3 reports
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150,000 miles · Jun 8, 2012
Latches/locks/linkages

ELECTRIC LOCKS FAIL TO UNLOCK IN HOT OR HUMID WEATHER. DRIVER AND PASSENGERS ARE ALSO UNABLE TO UNLOCK THREE PASSENGER DOORS MANUALLY, THOUGH THE KEY CAN BE USED TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DRIVER DOOR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN PASSENGERS ARE LOCKED IN CAR. THE ONLY METHOD TO EXIT AT TIMES IS TO ROLL DOWN WINDOWS AND CRAWL OUT. …

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ELECTRIC LOCKS FAIL TO UNLOCK IN HOT OR HUMID WEATHER. DRIVER AND PASSENGERS ARE ALSO UNABLE TO UNLOCK THREE PASSENGER DOORS MANUALLY, THOUGH THE KEY CAN BE USED TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DRIVER DOOR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN PASSENGERS ARE LOCKED IN CAR. THE ONLY METHOD TO EXIT AT TIMES IS TO ROLL DOWN WINDOWS AND CRAWL OUT. IN THE INSTANCE OF AN EMERGENCY WHERE PASSENGERS NEED TO EXIT QUICKLY, THIS CAN BE A PROBLEM. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10461073

153,000 miles · Jul 20, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages

THE DOORS DO NOT UNLOCK AND CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE IN THE CASE OF EMERGENCY. PROBLEM OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN BE MANUALLY OVER-RIDDEN. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10413854

80,000 miles · Sep 23, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages

1999 BMW 328I 4DR (E46) DOOR LOCK FAILURE DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER UNLOCK DOORS WHEN BUTTON IS PRESSED ON FOB OR FROM WITHIN THE VEHICLE. HAPPENS 2 OUT OF THREE TIME'S DOOR ARE LOCKED, DOORS LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHEN CAR BEGINS TO MOVE. PROBLEM: LOCK NOT OPERATING, TRAP OCCUPANT IN VEHICLE, THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN MANUALLY. THIS …

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1999 BMW 328I 4DR (E46) DOOR LOCK FAILURE DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER UNLOCK DOORS WHEN BUTTON IS PRESSED ON FOB OR FROM WITHIN THE VEHICLE. HAPPENS 2 OUT OF THREE TIME'S DOOR ARE LOCKED, DOORS LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHEN CAR BEGINS TO MOVE. PROBLEM: LOCK NOT OPERATING, TRAP OCCUPANT IN VEHICLE, THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN MANUALLY. THIS IS SERIOUS, YOU CANNOT UNLOCK THE DOORS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284997

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.