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
88 reports, newest first.
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
Power train, Jun 30, 2008
MY TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING IN REVERSE ON MY BMW 323CI WHICH ONLY HAS LESS THAN 68,000 MILES. THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A TRANSMISSION FAILING SO EARLY. *TR
Power train, May 30, 2008
CAR WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION, TAKEN CARE OF AS NEEDED. ALWAYS OIL CHANGES ETC. GOT OFF OF WORK ONE DAY, CAR DOES NOT GO INTO REVERSE. WILL GO FORWARDS, NOT IN REVERSE. THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT IS TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION, A $6000 FIX. FOUND A WEBSITE WITH OVER 100 SIMILAR INCIDENTS. *TR
Power train, Feb 21, 2008
2000, BMW WITHOUT WARNING SHOWED SIGN OF THE DREADED NO REVERSE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM DOCUMENTED ON SEVERAL WEBSITE. FOR EXAMPLE NOREVERSE.ORG. *TR
Power train, Dec 19, 2007
2000 BMW 323CI WILL NOT MOVE WHEN IN REVERSE GEAR; THE CAR BEHAVES AS IF IT IS NEUTRAL. THIS HAPPENED SUDDENLY, WITH NO WARNING. THE CAR HAD NO ISSUES LEADING UP TO THIS, NO WARNING LIGHTS, ETC. THE CAR HAS BEEN IMMACULATELY MAINTAINED AND SERVICED. THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB, INCLUDING AT YOUR FORUM, ABOUT THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Sep 13, 2007
I OWN A 2000 BMW 323CI CONVERTIBLE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, WITH 77,000 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD ONE PREVIOUS OWNER AND HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY CARED FOR AND SERVICED. LAST WEEK (9/4/07) THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. THE BMW DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDS THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT A COST OF $5,000. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. *TR
Power train, Jul 12, 2007
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON 2000 BMW 323CI WITH 52,000 MILES FAILED IN REVERSE ONLY. PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND DRIVEN LESS THAN 10,000 MILES PER YEAR. INITIAL DIAGNOSIS COST $327.00, AND TOLD ESTIMATED COST OF REPLACING TRANSMISSION WAS $5500.00. NO REASON FOUND AS TO WHY THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. TOLD THAT IF KEEP DRIVING THE CAR THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL WHICH WAS A SERIOUS DANGER ON THE HIGHWAY.*AK
Power train, Jul 11, 2007
A WEEK AND A HALF AGO I TOOK THE WELL MAINTAINED 2000 323CI BMW TO DEALER FOR THE 60,000 MILE SERVICE, COSTING OVER $700.00 FOR NORMAL? SERVICING. A DAY AFTER THE SERVICE I HAD TO RETURN THE CAR AS I HAD FOUND WASHER FLUID POOLED UNDER THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE. I WAS TOLD THE WASHER PUMP FAILED, I THEN PAID AN ADDITIONAL $100.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. A WEEK LATER I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO GO DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND HEARD A LOUD ?BANG. THE CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN REVERSE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TODAY THEY INFORMED ME THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, WHICH WOULD COST OVER $5,000.00 FOR REPAIR. I WAS JUST THANKFUL THAT THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN ON THE ROAD. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH STATED THAT BMW WAS AWARE THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION PLACED IN CERTAIN BMW VEHICLES, SPECIFICALLY A TRANSMISSION USED IN THE 3 SERIES MADE BY GM. I THEN WENT ON LINE TO CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM AND NOTED HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 3 SERIES TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND BMW OF FAILING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. BLOG ENTRIES EXPRESSED THE OBVIOUS FRUSTRATION, ENORMOUS COSTS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF FILING A CLASS ACTION SUIT BECAUSE THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION WAS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. OBVIOUSLY MY COMPLAINT WA S TWO-FOLD: 1. THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MECHANISM HAD A RISK FACTOR IN SAFETY IN THAT THERE WAS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSIONS USED, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT WHILE OPERATING ,AND THE ONLY OTHER REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION THAT CAN BE PUT IN WAS THE SAME TYPE WHICH MIGHT SUGGEST THE SAME INCIDENT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN . 2.) THE COST/REPAIR FACTOR WAS UNEXPECTED AND RIDICULOUS BECAUSE THIS WAS NOT A DRIVER OR SERVICE NEGLECT PROBLEM BUT ONE OF DESIGN. WAS THIS A MATTER FOR RECALL AND OR CLASS ACTION SUIT? *AK
Power train, Jun 11, 2007
I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2000 323I WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE CAR IS CAREFULLY DRIVEN AND CARED FOR. FOR THE PAST 7 YEARS, VANCOUVER BRIAN JESSEL BMW HAS PERFORMED ALL OF THE MAINTENANCE. IT NOW HAS 75,000 KM. THIS MORNING WHEN I WENT TO BACK MY CAR OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, IT WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. IT FEELS LIKE IT'S IN NEUTRAL. WHEN I CHECKED ON THE INTERNET, I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE HOW MANY OTHER BMW OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY THE FACTORY DEFECT ON THE TRANSMISSION. BMW SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT THEIR COST. *TR
Structure, Jun 3, 2007
I OWN A 2000 BMW 323CI WITH JUST OVER 80K ON IT AND MY REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS HAVE RIPPED THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR AND THE WHOLE REAR OF THE CAR IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. AFTER SOME SEARCHING I FOUND AROUND 200 FELLOW 3 SERIES OWNERS WHO ARE IN THE SAME BOAT ALMOST ALL OF WHICH ARE 99 AND 2000 MODELS. BMWNA INSIST THIS IS NOT A DEFECT BUT DO TO AGGRESSIVE DRIVING OR SUSPENION MODES NONE OF WHICH APPLY TO ME OR THE MANY OTHERS WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ITS NOT JUST ABOUT THE ESTIMATED 3 TO 7 THOUSAND DOLLAR REPAIR BILL IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED MAINLY FOR THE PEOPLE ON THE ROAD ENDANGERING THEMSELVES AND EVERYONE ELSE AND THE DON'T EVEN HAVE A CLUE BECAUSE THE ONLY SYMPTOM IS S SLIGHT RATTLE ONE WHICH THE AVERAGE DRIVER WOULDN'T EVEN NOTICE. *TR
Visibility, Other or unspecified, Apr 21, 2007
THE MECHANISM IN POWER WINDOWS ( MECHANICAL MECHANISM IN THE DOORS WHICH RAISE AND LOWER THE WINDOWS ) APPEAR TO BE FAULTY. AFTER NORMAL USAGE FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME ( 3 WEEKS TO A MAXIMUM OF 6 MONTHS ) , THERE ARE REPEATED FAILURES OF THE MECHANICAL MECHANISM AND POWER WINDOWS ONCE AGAIN FAIL TO FUNCTION. ALTHOUGH THE ISSUE AT HAND HAS BEEN FIXED BY BMW NUMEROUS TIMES ( SOME UNDER WARRANTY AND SOME AT OWNERS COST) , IT IS A REPEATING PROBLEM AND BMW SERVICE PROVIDER DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE A SOLUTION WHICH WOULD RESOLVE THE ISSUE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. SINCE THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND MOSTLY DRIVEN BY ONE DRIVER ( ME ), A GREATER USE OF AC IS MADE IN ORDER NOT TO USE THE POWER WINDOWS IN CASE THEY WILL BREAK ONCE AGAIN. *TR
Structure, Mar 6, 2007
THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK. AFTER TAKING THE WHEEL OFF TO INVESTIGATE I SAW WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION MOUNTS TO THE FRAME IT HAD PULLED THROUGH. I HAVE JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS AND WILL E CONTACTING BMW ABOUT THIS SHORTLY. AN INTERNET SEARCH WILL FIND THAT THIS IS NOT A RARE OCCURRENCE AND I BELIEVE BMW SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 26, 2007
DURING HWY OPERATION OF MY VEHICLE, WITHOUT WARNING THE COOLANT EXPANSION TANK RUPTURED WITH A 7 INCH LONG GAP. *NM
Power train, Structure, Jan 28, 2007
SUB FRAME TORE FROM CAR REAR CHASSIS ON A 2000 BMW 323CI, VERY DANGEROUS AND MAY CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *JB
Structure, Jan 17, 2007
REAR SUBFRAME OF CAR TEARING OUT OF BODY. *NM
Structure, Jan 6, 2007
I RECENTLY PURCHASED THE CAR USED. THEN TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC FOR THOROUGH INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE TUNE UP. FRONT AND REAR SHOCKS AND STRUTS ALONG WITH SPRINGS REPLACED WITH OEM PARTS. HE AND I LOCATED THE SUBFRAME ON THE REAR DRIVER WAS TORN. CAR IS MECHANICALLY SOUND AND THE ONLY ISSUE RIGHT NOW IS THAT WHEN DRIVING, I CAN HEAR THE METAL ON METAL CLUNKING NOISE. AFRAID THAT IF IT DOES NOT GET REPAIRED, IT WILL LEAD TO MORE STRUCTURE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. I'M SCARE TO DRIVE THE CAR FEARING THAT AN ACCIDENT IS WAITING TO HAPPEN. PLEASE HELP WITH INVESTIGATION INTO POSSIBLE DEFECT ON BMW 3 SERIES. I KNOW THAT THERE IS CURRENTLY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED WITH WASSERMAN, COMDEN & CASSELMAN, L.L.P REGARDING MANUFACTURING AND/OR DESIGN DEFECT THAT SEVERELY COMPROMISES THE SAFETY, DURABILITY, AND PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE. WHICH ALLEGES THAT THE MANUFACTURING AND/OR DESIGN DEFECT INCLUDES A WEAK OR INSUFFICIENT FLOOR PANEL IN THE UNIBODY OF THE VEHICLE THAT CAUSES, AMONG OTHER THINGS, CRACKING IN THE FLOOR PAN AND MISALIGNMENT, CRACKING OR THE COMPLETE OR PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE REAR SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. *NM
Structure, Nov 29, 2006
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR NORMALLY AND STARTED TO REALIZE A SQUEAKING NOISE. SOON THE NOISE GOT REALLY LOUD AND CONSTANT SO I JACK UP THE CAR AND REALIZED MY REAR SUBFRAME WAS DETACHING FROM THE BODY. BMW SAYS THEY WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. *NM
Structure, Aug 30, 2006
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN MID APRIL, 2006. A MONTH AFTER MY PURCHASE I BEGAN TO NOTICE CREAKING SOUNDS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR UNDER NORMAL ACCELERATION, PRIMARILY IN 1ST GEAR. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I FOUND THE REAR SUBFRAME TO BE TEARING FROM THE UNIBODY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND MUST BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. TOO MANY PEOPLE IGNORE TELL TALE SIGNS COMING FROM THEIR VEHICLES, IF BMW IS UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING FOR THE REPAIR, THE LEAST THEY COULD DO IS SEND A NOTICE TO RECOMMEND AN INSPECTION TO ANY 3-SERIES OWNER. REPAIRING THIS COSTS MONEY, NOT LIFE AND LIMB. PLEASE BMW AND THE NHTSA, LETS KEEP IT THAT WAY. *NM
Parking brake, Electrical system, Structure, Jul 10, 2006
I EXPERIENCED A TYPICAL PROBLEM WITH MY 2000 BMW 323CI , AS THE SUBFRAME BEGAN TO TEAR AFTER ONLY 57000 MILES OF USE. AFTER SOME COMPLAINING, I WAS ABLE TO GET BMW TO "GOODWILL" THE REPAIRS. BUT AS SOON AS I PICKED UP THE CAR AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PARKING LIGHT BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. IT WOULD COME ON WHEN THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED ETC. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT BEGAN TO DO THE SAME THING. I DIDN'T THINK TOO MUCH OF IT, BUT NOW ABOUT 9 MONTHS LATER I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. FIRST ALL THE POWER STOPPED WORKING, THE HEADLIGHTS BLINKED, A/C AND WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING, POWER LOCKS NO LONGER WORKED. THEN IT SOMEHOW FIXED ITSELF. BUT A COUPLE WEEKS AFTER, SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENED AND NOW I CANNOT EVEN START MY CAR. AGAIN, IT APPEARS TO BE SOME SORT OF POWER PROBLEM, PERHAPS SOMETHING DRAINING THE BATTERY. *NM
Structure, Jun 20, 2006
TORN SUBFRAME WHERE REAR END IS SECURE TO CHASSIS SUBFRAME. *NM
Structure, May 23, 2006
EXPERIENCED TEARING IN THE SHEET METAL LOCATED ABOVE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER. THE SHEET METAL HAD BEEN FATIGUED FROM CARRIERS MOVEMENT UNDER LOAD (ACCELERATION/DECELERATION). THE SERVICE MANAGER (ON BEHALF OF BMW NA) STATES THAT THE DAMAGE WAS A RESULT OF "HITTING A LARGE POTHOLE". IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT NO OTHER SUSPENSION COMPONENTS WERE DAMAGED AND EVERYTHING ON THE CAR IS FACTORY ORIGINAL. NO MODIFICATIONS WHATSOEVER AND NO REPAIRS UNTIL THAT POINT. THE CAR HAS BEEN REPAIRED AND THE AREA IN QUESTION HAS BEEN REINFORCED TO PREVENT FUTURE SUBFRAME FAILURES. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR A CAR MANUFACTURER TO PASS BLAME FOR A DESIGN DEFECT ONTO THEIR CUSTOMERS. OBVIOUSLY, THEY HAVE LOST ANY FUTURE SALES FROM ME. *NM
Structure, Apr 25, 2006
THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS COMPLETELY TORN AWAY FROM THE SUB-FRAME CAUSED EITHER BY WEAK SHEET METAL USED OR POOR DESIGN. AS A RESULT COUNTLESS OTHER BMW E46 OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME. SHOULD THIS ACTUALLY TEAR COMPLETELY OFF THE VEHICLE, IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND A POSSIBLE FATALITY. PLEASE SEE THE PICTURE OF MY VEHICLE AT HTTP://JAYHOWELL.SERVEBEER.COM/IMAGES/BMW/SUBFRAME/SUBFRAMEDAMAGE.JPG. *JB
Structure, Apr 20, 2006
VEHICLE STARTED MAKING STRANGE NOISES FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION WHILE DRIVING. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THIS WAS THE SUBFRAME OF THE CAR TEARING AWAY FROM THE UNIBODY. HE ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE IN THE E46 AND E36 BMW MODEL VEHICLES AND HAS SEEN IT BEFORE. WENT ONLINE TO SEVERAL RESOURCES AND CONFIRMED THERE ARE MANY OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR SUBFRAME TEARING, CRACKING, OR COMPLETE TORN AWAY. *JB
Power train, Apr 3, 2006
TRANSMISSION FAILURE TWICE!! FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED ON 4/20/02 WITH 49,123 MILES. FROM THE COMPLAINTS I'VE READ LOOKS AS THOUGH THE FAILURES ALL OCCUR BETWEEN 40,000 - 50,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION IS SUPPOSED TO GOOD TO 100,000 NOT 40,000!! PLEASE HELP!*JB
Equipment, Feb 10, 2006
THE FAN OF THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM STOPS, EVEN THOUGH THE DISPLAY SHOWS THE FAN IS RUNNING. *NM