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: power train
35 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Oct 3, 2014
WELL DOCUMENTED NO REVERSE ISSUE FOR BMW GM TRANSMISSION D-CLUTCH FRACTURE. *TR
Power train, Sep 3, 2013
I WAS PREPARING TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE ACTED AS THOUGH IT WAS IN "NEUTRAL" AND DID NOT MAKE ANY NOISE OR MOTION. THE REVERSE NEVER SHOWED ANY SIGNS OF TROUBLE. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR ON A LIMITED BASIS OVER THE PAST FOUR MONTHS. A SHORT TIME PRIOR TO THIS, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A SLIGHT VIBRATION IN THE CAR WHILE ACCELERATING BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 25 MPH AND 30 MPH DRIVING FORWARD. IT WAS SUBTLE AND ACTUALLY BEGAN TO GO AWAY. I NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY UNUSUAL STRESS, NOISE, OR DIFFICULTIES WHILE GOING INTO REVERSE PRIOR TO FINDING IT COMPLETELY GONE TODAY. I FEEL EXTREMELY FORTUNATE THAT THIS OCCURRED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND DID NOT INVOLVE AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. I FEAR THAT IT COULD HAVE PUT ME AND MY FAMILY IN GREAT BODILY HARM, HAD I NOT BEEN SO LUCKY. I FEAR FOR WHAT THIS MAY COST TO REPAIR OR EVEN EVALUATE, SINCE MANY ONLINE HAVE EXPRESSED A SIMILAR SITUATION RESULTING IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF REPAIRS. *JB
Power train, Apr 29, 2013
CAR JUST STOPPED GOING INTO REVERSE. THIS IS A ISSUE THAT IS COMMON IN MANY OTHER 2000 3 SERIES. *TR
Power train, Feb 10, 2013
GREAT CAR UNTIL PARKED AT GROCERY STORE AND CAR WOULD NOT BACK UP WHEN PUT IN REVERSE. ONLY 75000 MILES. BMW DEALER WANTED $6000 TO REPLACE WITH FACTORY REBUILT TRANSMISSION. CONTACTED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY REFUSED TO PARTICIPATE IN REPAIR. OFFERED TO CONTACT DEALER AND ASK FOR 10% REDUCTION. NEVER HEARD BACK. LAST BMW FOR ME. VERY FREQUENT FAILURE PER THE INTERNET AND THIS SITE. *TR
Power train, Sep 17, 2012
THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED GOING INTO REVERSE. WORKS IN DRIVE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jan 26, 2012
THE REVERSE GEAR STOP WORKING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jan 21, 2012
THE CAR TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO IN REVERSE. THE ISSUE HAPPENS SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING, AND ACTS EXACTLY AS IF YOU WERE IN NEUTRAL GEAR. THERE IS A DEDICATED SITE CALLED HTTP://WWW.NOREVERSE.ORG THAT DOCUMENTS THOUSANDS OF CASES FROM BMW OWNERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. BMW NORTH AMERICA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT ITS TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES 1999-2003 HAVE THIS ISSUE, BUT FAILS TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE ON THIS HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IN NOVEMBER, I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY NORMALLY TO DRIVE TO WORK. WHEN I ARRIVE AT WORK AND ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE INTO THE SPACE, THE CAR ACTED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACT THIS WAY. ALL OTHER GEARS WORK NORMAL (MEANING IT DRIVES FINE FORWARD), IT IS JUST THAT YOU CANNOT ENGAGE REVERSE. *TR
Power train, Dec 28, 2011
THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED GOING INTO REVERSE. I HAD TO PUSH IT TO GET OUR OF THE PARKING SPOT AND WENT STRAIGHT HOME. THE NEXT MORNING, THE REVERSE GEAR DECIDED TO WORK SO I DECIDED TO TAKE IT FOR TEST DRIVE AGAIN AND IT FAILED TO GO INTO REVERSE AGAIN. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF BMW OWNERS THAT COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE REVERSE GEAR. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FROM BMW TO TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Nov 26, 2011
THE CAR WILL NOT GO IN REVERSE. *TR
Power train, Oct 12, 2011
THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE REVERSE ON THESE VEHICLES. WE THOUGHT WE HAD A UNIQUE PROBLEM BUT IT IS A OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. I FOUND 359 COMPLAINTS ON OUR YR/MAKE/MODEL ON THIS WEBSITE ALONE. ALSO NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON A WEBSITE CALLED NO REVERSE.ORG. OUR BMW WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. I HAVE LEARNED TO PARK ON AN INCLINE SO I CAN ROLL BACKWARDS OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. BMW NEEDS TO DO A RECALL. THEY ARE LOOSING FAITHFUL CUSTOMERS BY NOT ADDRESSING THE ISSUE. IF THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, I WANT TO BE A PART OF IT. BMW REPS AT CUSTOMER SERVICE DECLINE TO HELP SO FAR. *KB
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 13, 2011
MY 2000 3 SERIES BMW HAS STOPPED GOING IN REVERSE. AT ALL. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS AS I WAS IN TRAFFIC YESTERDAY AT A RED LIGHT WHEN A SEMI TRUCK TURNED THE CORNER IN FRONT OF ME AND NEEDED ME TO BACK UP. I WAS STUCK BEHIND A VAN THAT WAS ABLE TO GO IN REVERSE AND OF COURSE EXPECTED ME TO FOLLOW SUIT, AND I COULDN'T! I'VE BEEN READING ONLINE AND ALL OVER THE WORLD PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM OVER AND OVER AGAIN WITH THIS PARTICULAR SERIES OF BMW. I'VE ONLY HAD MY CAR A YEAR. IT HAS A LITTLE OVER 100K MILES ON IT. I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT AFFORD THE 3-5K IT WILL COST TO REPLACE IT. THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB. PLEASE HAVE THIS RECALLED BEFORE IT TURNS INTO ANOTHER TOYOTA DEBACLE. IT'S NOT FAIR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Aug 4, 2011
REVERSE GEAR (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. CAR ACTS AS IF IT IS NEUTRAL, ENGINE JUST REVS. CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. WAS SURPRISED TO FIND IT IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS MODEL, AND THAT THERE IS A WEBSITE DEVOTED TO THE PROBLEM (NOREVERSE.ORG). ALSO LEARNED THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR CADILLACS THAT USED THE SAME TRANSMISSION AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.
Power train, Jan 5, 2011
CAR DOES NOT GO ON REVERSE. DRIVE IT FOR ABOUT 5 MILES OR SO AND THE REVERSE WORKS. LEAVE IT TURNED OFF AND MOST OF THE TIME, THE REVERSE WONT WORK AGAIN.. IT'S FRUSTRATING. *TR
Power train, Nov 2, 2010
I HAVE A 2000 323CI BMW AND ALL OF SUDDEN MY REVERSE STOP WORKING FOR NO REASON AT ALL. I BEEN UP TO DATE WITH MY TAKING CARE OF IT AND ONE DAY IT JUST STOP WORKING, THE REVERSE JUST DOESN'T DO NOTHING, I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING TO TRY TO CORRECT IT BECAUSE SIMPLY IS TO MUCH FOR ME THE COST FOR IT IS 4,000 DOLLARS AND I JUST DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO DO IT, I FEEL ITS NOT FAIR WHAT BMW HAS DONE, WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT BMW 3 SERIES ARE SUSPECT ON DOING. I READ ONLINE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN BMWS AND I'M WONDERING WHY BMW HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL AS AN IDENTIFIED COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Jul 6, 2010
I OWN A 2000 BMW 323CI. IT HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND JUST TODAY THE REVERSE GEAR WENT OUT JUST LIKE THAT,WITHOUT NOTICE. I'VE BEEN READING ONLINE AND I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS KIND OF PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL FROM BMW. I AM IN NEED OF HELP TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE I NEED THIS CAR FOR WORK.*TR
Power train, Jun 29, 2010
BMW 3 SERIES SUDDENLY NO REVERSE GEAR . NO WARNING NO ANYTHING JUST STOPS WORKING . SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS SERIES BMW . HOW IS IT THAT BMW/NA WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS . THERE ARE NO RECALLS BUT LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM . ANY ADVICE OR HELP ? *TR
Power train, Apr 14, 2010
2000 BMW 323 CI CONVERTIBLE. REVERSE STOP TO WORK SUDDENLY, I PARKED MY CAR OVER THE DRIVEWAY YESTERDAY THEM NEXT DAY AFTERNOON I WENT TO THE STORE TO BUY SOME GROCERIES, I MADE A BAD TURN AND I WAS TRYING TO GET ON THE ROAD, MY REVERSE DID NOT WORK. I NEVER FEEL A SYMPTOM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON THE CAR O GRADUAL FAILURE JUST STOP TO WORK, MAGIC. *TR
Power train, Mar 11, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 325CI. WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE ON AND SHIFTING IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE IN REVERSE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. SHE HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE SO THAT SHE COULD SHIFT INTO DRIVE GEAR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY NEVER HEARD ABOUT THE FAILURE OCCURRING ON THESE VEHICLES. SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT IN REVERSE GEAR. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE AT THIS MOMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Power train, Mar 10, 2010
REVERSE GEAR OF TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AROUND 100,000 MILES. NO ISSUES PRIOR TO FAILURE. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY DEALER AT CONSUMER'S COST. *TR
Power train, Apr 6, 2009
MY 2000 323 CI BMW "NO REVERSE ". WITH ONLY 69,000 MILES ON IT PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND SERVICED, ON APRIL 5 2009 THE CARS REVERSE GEAR WON'T ENGAGE ,ITS LIKE PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL BUT IS ACTUALLY IN REVERSE, THE CAR DRIVES FORWARD WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. BROUGHT IT TO BMW DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION FAILURE RATES OF THE ABOVE CAR IS VERY HIGH THAT THEY HAVE A SPECIAL WEBSITE FOR SUCH TRANY FAILURE WWW.NOREVERSE.ORG. BMW NEEDS TO ADDRESS THESE COMPLAINTS AND MAYBE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR DEFECTS OF THE ABOVE TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, Feb 15, 2009
I WENT TO BACK MY 2000 BMW 323CI INTO A PARKING SPOT AND IT ACTED AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. *TR
Power train, Dec 21, 2008
2000 BMW 323 CI WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. *TR
Power train, Oct 8, 2008
NO WRECK, NO PREVIOUS PROBLEM. JUST NO REVERSE!!!! *TR
Power train, Sep 9, 2008
2000 BMW 323I NO REVERSE GEAR...WENT TO BMW DEALER AND THEY DIDN'T WANT TO CHECK WHAT'S WRONG, ALL THEY WANTED IS TO CHANGE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION FOR $5500...I LOOKED ON INTERNET AND IT SEEMS THAT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVING SAME ISSUE WITH THIS CAR...HOPE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE AND BMW WILL CALL OUR CARS FOR RECALL...I THING THEY SHOULD REPAIR IT AT NO COST SINCE IT IS THERE PURE REVERSE CLUTCH ENGINEERING. THANK YOU *TR
Power train, Sep 2, 2008
DIFFERENTIAL SUB-FRAME FAILURE. CAR HAS INDEPENDANT REAR SUSPENSION AND DIFFERENTIAL IS CARRIED IN AN ALUMINUM SUB-FRAME THAT IS ATTACHED TO CHASSIS WITH FOUR LARGE BUSHINGS. DRIVER'S SIDE REAR BUSHING HAS PULLED OUT OF FRAME OF CAR WITH VISIBLE CRACKING OF METAL SURROUNDING THE AREA. *TR