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
What owners actually said
98 reports
48,000 miles · Jun 22, 2004
Structure
THE SUBFRAME RIPPED OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE REAR TIRES SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, AND ONLY WERE ATTACHED BY THE SHOCKS AND REAR AXLE. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE FACTORY DIDN'T REINFORCE THE UNIBODY TO THE SUBFRAME, WHICH CAUSED THIS FAILURE TO OCCU…
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THE SUBFRAME RIPPED OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE REAR TIRES SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, AND ONLY WERE ATTACHED BY THE SHOCKS AND REAR AXLE. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE FACTORY DIDN'T REINFORCE THE UNIBODY TO THE SUBFRAME, WHICH CAUSED THIS FAILURE TO OCCUR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10079622
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2004
Suspension
WHILE BRAKING STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES HARD WHICH MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. EALER STATES:RUBBER LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH UPDATED POLY URETHANE ONES. COST:$448.00. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10074771
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE BRAKING STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES HARD WHICH MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. DEALER STATES:RUBBER LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH UPDATED POLY URETHANE ONES. COST:$448.00. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10074770
54,340 miles · Mar 10, 2004
Air Bags
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER ON A BMW 99 E46 328I AND I M VERY DILIGENT WHEN IT COMES TO THE CARE OF MY CAR. I HAVE MADE SURE THAT EVERY RECALL HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AND ANY SERVICE REQUIREMENT MET. BUT MY CAR WAS SERVICED THREE TIMES FOR THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMING ON THE FIRST TWO TIMES THE DEALER TOOK CARE OF IT BECAUSE THE …
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I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER ON A BMW 99 E46 328I AND I M VERY DILIGENT WHEN IT COMES TO THE CARE OF MY CAR. I HAVE MADE SURE THAT EVERY RECALL HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AND ANY SERVICE REQUIREMENT MET. BUT MY CAR WAS SERVICED THREE TIMES FOR THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMING ON THE FIRST TWO TIMES THE DEALER TOOK CARE OF IT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY THE THIRD TIME I HAD TO PAY AND NOW EIGHT MONTHS LATER THE AIRBAG LIGHTS IS ON AGAIN AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM ALL THE BMW MODEL LINE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE BMW ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ABOUT ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS THAT GET OXIDIZED AND FAIL OVER TIME. THEY PROVIDE A SOLUTION IN THE BULLETIN BUT IT IS TEMPORARY FIX SINCE IT REQUIRES ME GO BACK EVERY SIX TO EIGHT MONTHS RIGHT. I SUBMITTED THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE. IT FEELS LIKE EXTORTIONS THAT THAT EVERY TIME THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURNS ON I HAVE TO RUN TO THE DEALER JUST TO TURN IT OFF OR RUN THE RISK THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT WORK WHEN MY LIFE DEPENDS ON IT. HTTP://WWW.UNOFFICIALBMW.COM/CGI-BIN/ULTIMATEBB.CGI?UBB=GET_TOPIC&F=2&T=008967. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10061834
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Seat BeltsCrashInjury
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT AND AS RESULT THE PASSENGER HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED SOME INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10054124
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Air BagsCrash
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON. THE VEHICLE'S FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10054122
12,000 miles · Dec 10, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE, WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR, THE CAR DID NOT STOP. IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR BEHIND ME, I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND AGAIN HIT THE BRAKES. THE CAR DID NOT STOP AND ONLY STOPPED WHEN I HIT THE GARAGE WALL, CAUSING OVER $3000.00 DAMAGE TO THE CAR. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10049506
30,000 miles · Aug 30, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE RIGHT REAR BRAKES PULSATE WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT THE BRAKES BEING APPLIED BY THE DRIVER. THIS OCCURS ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS (ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK) AND STOPS WHEN THE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. WHEN THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (E.G. AT SPEEDS OF 55MPH) THE RIGHT REAR DISC WILL GLOW RED HOT UPON …
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THE RIGHT REAR BRAKES PULSATE WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT THE BRAKES BEING APPLIED BY THE DRIVER. THIS OCCURS ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS (ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK) AND STOPS WHEN THE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. WHEN THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (E.G. AT SPEEDS OF 55MPH) THE RIGHT REAR DISC WILL GLOW RED HOT UPON EXAMINATION AFTER GENTLY STOPPING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES. ONLY THE RIGHT REAR DISC GLOWS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10036889
40,000 miles · Aug 20, 2003
Power TrainStructure
DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTS TO FRAME HAVE 'TORN AWAY' @ 40K MILES AND A SECOND TIME @ 60K00MILES. BMW IS FIXING IT A 2ND TIME AND COVERING COST. CAR IS 4DOOR, MANUAL AND OTHERWISE HAS BEEN THE PERFECT CAR. ESTIMATED TIME TO FIX AT BMW IS 4-5 WEEKS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10033185
62,407 miles · Aug 12, 2003
Seat BeltsVisibility
CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER'S FRONT SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK INTO PLACE WHEN A SUDDEN STOP WAS NECESSARY. *AK *SCC THE DRIVERS DOOR MADE A RATTLING NOISE, THE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPALCED.*CB *JB
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1999 BMW 328I Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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