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: suspension
4 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Structure, Aug 16, 2013
THE LEFT REAR SUBFRAME MOUNT TORN AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE UNIBODY/FRAME MOUNTING LOCATION. THE REAR BODY METAL FATIGUE WAS CAUSED FROM LOADING AND UNLOADING OF THE DRIVE TRAIN DUE TO AN ENGINEERING DESIGN DEFECT. THIS OCCURRED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND IS A KNOWN DEFECT BY BMW. A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT REQUIRED BMW TO FIX THE PROBLEM FROM 2009 TO 2010, BUT THERE ARE STILL MANY VEHICLES ON THE ROAD THAT HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR THE METAL FATIGUE SHOWED UP AFTER THE 2010 DEADLINE FOR REPAIR. THIS IS A MAJOR DEFECT MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE REAR AXLE CAN SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD BE A VEHICLE RECALL AND ALL BMW E46 3 SERIES SHOULD HAVE THE REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTING POINTS REPAIRED AND REINFORCED BY BMW AT NO COST. *TR
Suspension, Feb 23, 2012
ON FEBRUARY 6, 2012 EXITING THE FREEWAY AN ABOUT A MILE OR SO AFTER, I HEARD THIS BIG CLUNK THAT CAME FROM THE REAR, STOPPED AND PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT THAT WAS. LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND THE REAR AXEL WAS HANGING AND SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY FOR INSPECTION AND CALLED BMWNA TO FILE THE CLAIM. THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND OFFERED 50% OF THE COST. MY CAR HAS 160K MILES AND IT IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION BESIDES THIS FAULTY ENGINEERED BY BMW AND THEY WILL NOT PAY. LUCKILY I AM STILL ALIVE. HOW ABOUT IF I WAS STILL ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING AND THIS THING HAPPENED AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT? THIS IS REALLY SERIOUS! SAFETY OF MYSELF AND OTHER PEOPLE. I AM STILL DEALING WITH BMWNA TO COVER FOR THE REALLY EXPENSIVE REPAIR THAT THIS INCIDENT CREATED. IT WAS A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND NOW THEY DO NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. PLEASE HELP!!! *TR
Suspension, Structure, Nov 18, 2011
I HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END, TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC, AND WAS TOLD THE SUBFRAME HAS TORN OFF OF THE REAR SUSPENSION. HE CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL, BUT NONE HAS BEEN FOUND. HE DID NOTICE ONLINE THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM, WITH MANY COMPLAINTS, AND THAT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HAD BEEN FILED. *TR
Suspension, Jun 28, 2005
WHILE DRIVING ON A SMOOTH ROAD, THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP - WITHOUT ANY WARNING. CAR CAME TO A SUDDEN UNEXPECTED HALT - ON IT'S OWN. THIS SITUATION WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE RESULTED IN INJURY/DEATH, HAD IT OCCURED ON A HIGHWAY OR OTHER HEAVILY TRAVELED ROAD. DEALER ADVISES THAT THE SUSPENSION RIPPED CLEAR OFF THE FRAME OF THE CAR. VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE. HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH BMW, BUT THEY SAY IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY - DESPITE THIS BEING A 'CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED BMW'. CAR IS JUST SITTING AT HUNTERDON BMW IN LEBANON,NJ.