2000 BMW 3 Series
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 88 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 21 3 Series model years with reports.
Of the 2000 reports, 3 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 4 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMay 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 21V401000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
11 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Seat belts, Nov 24, 2017, crash
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WITH A TAKATA RECALL NOTICE. MY 2000 323I HAS A AIRBAG SEATBELT WARNING LIGHT THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGE FROM THE REAR END PASSENGER SIDE. REPAIR WORK WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE DAMAGES.
Air bags, Jul 25, 2016
TAKATA RECALL!! I WAS DRIVING 35 MPH ON A REGULAR STREET I ALWAYS DRIVE ON AND MID DRIVE BOTH PASSANGER AND DRIVER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON!!!! CAUSING VERY SERIOUS INJURIES!! ALSO CAUSING MORE DAMAGE TO MY CAR!!!!
Air bags, Apr 20, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Mar 11, 2015
RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM BMW USA FOR RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 14V-428 (DEFECTIVE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIR BAG) LAST SEPTEMBER 2014. AS OF TODAY'S DATE (MARCH 11, 2015), BMW USA HAS NOT INFORMED ME WHEN I CAN EXPECT THEM TO PERFORM THE WORK NEEDED TO RECTIFY THE DEFECTIVE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG. THEIR SUGGESTION THAT I OPERATE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER IS LUDICROUS AND VIRTUALLY IMPRACTICAL. *TR
Air bags, Feb 11, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Aug 12, 2014
THE AIRBAG ICON ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STAYS ON. MY MACHANIC TOLD ME THIS MEANS THAT A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT DOES NOT ACTIVATE THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT AND, AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF A COLLISION. SO I ASKED THEM TO REPAIR IT, AFTER PAYING ABOUT $700, ABOUT 8 MONTHS LATER IT POPPED BACK ON , SO I'M SERIOULY LOOKING TO TRADE THIS CAR. *TR
Air bags, Jun 16, 2010
I RAN OVER A CURB GOING ABOUT 25MILES A HOUR GOING WHILE AROUND A BEND. THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AT ALL. THIS HAPPENED ONCE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT FAILURE. THE CAR IS A BMW 323CI COUPE. *TR
Air bags, Mar 12, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 323CI. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-45 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXPLODED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ENDED UP ON THE MEDIAN. SHORTLY AFTER, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXPLODED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ON THE MEDIAN, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DRIVER WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT INJURED. SHE PUSHED THE VEHICLE HALF OF THE DISTANCE TOWARDS HER RESIDENCE AND THE TOW TRUCK TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE CENTER. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INFORMED HER TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON THE AIR BAGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Air bags, Nov 18, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 325I. SPORADICALLY, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Air bags, Nov 9, 2005, crash
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. THE CONTACT AND MECHANIC CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. *AK UPDATED 12/14/2005. *NM
Air bags, Feb 27, 2004
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. *AK