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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 88

Of the 2000 reports, 3 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 4 people were injured.

Primary concernPower train35 reports · 40% of complaints
Owner complaints88Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship1 safety recallNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Power train35
  2. Structure30
  3. Air bags11
  4. Engine and engine cooling8
  5. Electrical system4
  6. Suspension4
  7. Visibility4
  8. Exterior lighting2

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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: exterior lighting

2 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Jan 5, 2021

    REAR LIGHTS . CLIP CONTACTS MELTING GROUND WIRE . PURCHASED LIGHTS AND CLIPS 3 TIMES AND MELTED AGAIN. LIGHTS INOPERABLE AFTER 2 WEEKS OF LIFE HARNESS MELTED . RECEIVED MULTIPLE WARNINGS AND A TICKET I NOW HAVE TO PROVE REPAIR . RECALL FOUND FOR EVERY OTHER MODEL EXCEPT THE 323I 2000 . NOT SAFE TO HAVE NO TAIL LIGHTS AVAILABLE . CAN'T DRIVE CAR IN UNSAFE CONDITIONS. CAN'T SELL CAR IN UNSAFE CONDITION

  2. Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 21, 2016

    THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS DON'T WORK... THE TRANSMISSION- REVERSE HAS GONE OUT... AND THE RADIATOR HAS A SERIOUS LEAK... MAKES THE CAR RUN HOT!