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.
Visibility, Structure, Feb 10, 2006
THE RAIL OF SUNROOF HAS BROKEN THREE TIMES IN THE PAST 6 YEARS, AND IT HAS ONLY BEEN USED A FEW TIMES A YEAR. *NM
Structure, Feb 3, 2006
HAVE YOU NOTICED THAT THERE ARE OVER FORTY (40) COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BMW 3-SERIES REAR SUBFRAMES? THEY ARE SCATTERED AMONG THE VARIOUS 3-SERIES MODEL NUMBERS (I.E. 3-SERIES, 323, 323CI, 328, 328CI.325, 325CI, ETC.) THIS IS ALL BASICALLY THE SAME CAR. A TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT THE REAR AXLE CARRIER OF THESE MODELS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH AN INHERENT DEFECT. THAT IS, ONE OF THE MOUNTING POINTS IS TOO WEAK TO ABSORB THE NORMAL, EVERYDAY VIBRATION FROM THE TORQUE OF THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, THEY MANUFACTURED A REPLACEMENT PART THAT IS NOW STRONGER AND REINFORCED. THE FACT THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT HAPPEN WITH ANY TYPE OF FREQUENCY ON ANY OTHER BMW CAR, EXCEPT FOR THE 3-SERIES THAT WAS INTRODUCED IN 1999, IS ENOUGH TO FORCE BMW TO ISSUE A RECALL. IN ADDITION, THE FACT THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART IS REINFORCED IS THE EQUIVALENT OF BMW "ADMITTING" THAT THE ORIGINAL REAR AXLE CARRIER HAD A DESIGN DEFECT. BMW HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS GLARING DEFECT IN THE CAR'S STRUCTURE DESPITE THIS DEFECTS NEVER HAVING OCCURRED IN ANY OTHER BMW -- OR ANY OTHER CAR FOR THAT MATTER HOWEVER, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT BMW ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN EUROPE. PLEASE EXPLAIN WHY THE TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITIES HERE IN THE U.S. HAVE NOT FORCED BMW TO ISSUE A RECALL. HOW CAN BMW JUSTIFY NOT HAVING A RECALL IN THE U.S. WHEN THEY'VE ISSUED A RECALL IN EUROPE FOR THE EXACT SAME THING? PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN DO ANYTHING OR IF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS MY ONLY RESORT. IN ONE OF THE COMPLAINTS LISTED BELOW, THE CONSUMER REPORTED THAT BMW PAID FOR THE ENTIRE REPAIR. YET IN ALL OTHER COMPLAINTS, BMW MANAGED TO AVOID HAVING TO PAY ANYTHING, EVEN FOR CARS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. HOW IS IT THAT AMERICAN CAR MANUFACTURERS HAVE TO ISSUE NUMEROUS RECALLS FOR MUNDANE DEFECTS, BUT BMW MANAGES TO SKATE BY WITHOUT HAVING TO ACKNOWLEDGE A DEFECT THAT THREATENS THE SAFETY OF CONSUMERS? *NM
Structure, Nov 10, 2005
NOTICED SQUEAKING SOUNDS FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. TOOK IT TO THE BMW DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEPRATED FROM THE BODY WHERE THE SHOCK ABSORBERS ARE ATTACHED. IF YOU LOOK UNDERNEATH THE CARE YOU SEE A LARGE CRACKED IN THE CHASSIS. THEY QUOTED 4K TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I STARTED LOOKING ON THE WEB FOR THE PROBLEM AND FOUND MANY INCIDENT OF THIS ISSUE. GOT A HOLD OF AN ENGINEER INSIDE BMW AND BASICALLY BMW KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND DECIDED NOT TO FIX IT. THIS IS MORE FREQUENTLY OBSERVED IN MORE POWERFULL ENGINE. THE TORQUE OF THE ENGINE IS CAUSING THE SHEETMETAL OF THE BODY TO BE STRESSED AND EVENTUALLY CRACK. I HAVE BEEN CONTACTING THE BMW FOR TWO WEEKS AND THEY ARE VERY UNCOOPERATIVE. THIS A DESIGN FLAW AND THEY SHOULD RECALL IT AND FIX IT. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM, THE BACK OF THE CAR COULD ESSENTIALLY FALL OFF AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IS BMW WAITING FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE ACCIDENT AND DIE BEFORE THEY RECALL THIS? *NM
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
Structure, Aug 12, 2005
I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT MY SUBFRAME ON MY 2000 BMW 328CI WAS CRACKING . THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT BMW HAS NOT FIXED PRIOR TO THE RELEASE OF THIS VEHICLE. THE PREVIOUS E36 MODEL HAS BEEN A VICTIM OF THIS MALFUNCTION. I WAS BROWSING WEBSITES REGARDING MY DILEMMA AND I FOUND THAT 40+ VEHICLES HAVE HAD THIS SUBFRAME ISSUE. THIS IS ONE WEBSITE (MANY MORE) AND HERE IS THE LINK... HTTP://FORUM.E46FANATICS.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=195602&PAGE=21&PP=20&HIGHLIGHT=SUBFRAME THERE ARE NUMEROUS AMOUNTS OF OTHER WEBSITES WHERE THIS PROBLEM WILL BE MENTIONED. ALSO, THERE IS A REPAIR KIT THAT WWW.TURNERMOTORSPORTS.COM MAKES FOR THIS CAR BECAUSE IT IS AN OCCURRING PROBLEM. HERE IS THE LINK.... HTTP://WWW.TURNERMOTORSPORT.COM/HTML/DETAIL.ASP?PRODUCT_ID=TDR4675412 BIMMER MAGAZINE ALSO HAS A SECTION INFORMING CONSUMERS ABOUT THE E46 AND THE SUBFRAME PROBLEM. IT IS IN THIS MONTHS ISSUE. BMW SHOULD RECALL THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. MY CAR HAS 60K MILES AND MY WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED. I PAID A LOCAL BODY SHOP TO TEMPORARILY FIX THIS PROBLEM UNTIL BMW COULD REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT BMW SHOULD RESOLVE. IF THIS SUBFRAME CRACKS WHILE DRIVING, AN ACCIDENT WILL OCCUR. MOST PEOPLE DRIVE WITH CHILDREN IN THAT BACK SEAT AND THEY COULD POSSIBLY BE INJURED. PLEASE SPEAK WITH BMW AND HAVE THEM ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS. REGARDS, THANH DINH. *JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 16, 2005
THERE IS TWO ISSUES WITH THE 2000BMW 323CI THE FIRST ONE IS A BEARING PROBLEM ON THE WHEELS, THEY GO BAD FOR NO REASON AND THE TIRE GETS ALL LOOSE, THE SECCOND IS THE FUEL TANK STRAP THAT HOLDS THE TANK IN PLACE BROKE FOR NO RESON WHEN I WAS DRIVING THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I EVER SEE A STRAP BRAKE OFF !!!!
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.
Structure, Aug 13, 2004
A HORRIBLE CREAKING NOISE STARTING DEVELOPING IN THE REAR OF MY 2000 BMW 323CI (WITH 82000 MILES) WHILE DRIVING. THE NOISE HAS GOTTEN WORSE WITH TIME, AND AFTER A THOROUGH SEARCH ONLINE ON THE WWW.E46FANATICS.COM FORUM WEBSITE, I FOUND MANY OTHER OWNERS OF VEHICLES WITH THE SAME CHASSIS EXPERENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. FURTHER SEARCHING LEAD TO A COMMON PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN LINKED TO THE FAILURE OF THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SUBFRAME. THIS SECTION OF THE CHASSIS FAILS UNDER PROLONGED STRESS AND A CRACK IN THE CHASSIS OF THE VEHICLE DEVELOPS, EXPOSING A BARE COMPONENT OF THE REAR SUSPENSION AND ULTIMATELY DAMAGING THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE PROBLEM IS NOT RECOGNIZED BY BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM IS RECENTLY BEGINNING TO SURFACE AMONG MANY LATE MODEL BMW CARS OWNERS AS THIS PART SEEMS TO FAIL AFTER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. NONETHELESS, THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT IS NOT ISOLATED TO A SELECT FEW VEHICLES, BUT ENOUGH TO RAISE ALARM AND SUSPICION. I WAS VERY SURPRISED AND DISSAPPOINTED TO FIND THAT MY VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED THIS EXACT FAILURE JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. *AK
Structure, May 14, 2004
THE REAR SUBFRAME TORE OUT OF THE CAR'S UNIBODY (2000 BMW 328CI). IT HAD NOT REACHED A POINT WHERE THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY IT, BUT IT WAS GETTING BAD. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BEGAN THE PROCESS OF GETTING IT FIXED. BMW NORTH AMERICA CALLED ME BACK AND TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM AND THAT IT WAS MY FAULT.*AK
Structure, May 8, 2004
THE REAR SUBFRAME OF MY CAR USED A THIN METAL TO HOLD IT AND I WAS DRAIVING MY CAR IN IT CRACKED. ANY FURTHER USE WOULD RESULT IN THE COLLAPSE OF THE REAR PART OF THE CAR. I HAVE IT WELDED AND REINFORCED.*AK
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
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Jan 15, 2004
CYLINDER HEAD CRACK - 9/5/03 WATER PUMP FREEZE, DRIVE BELT TEAR/BROKEN - 11/9/01 3 WINDOWS (REGULATOR BROKEN) DRIVER SIDE 2 TIMES
Structure, Jan 24, 2003
BROKEN REAR SUBFRAME MOUNT - HAS OCCURED IN MANY BMW 3-SERIES CARS (MINE INCLUDED) THAT ARE EITHER COMPLETELY STOCK OR WHERE THE WHEELS, TIRES, AND/OR SUSPENSION MAY HAVE BEEN MODIFIED IN ANY WAY. IT IS VERY UNUSUAL TO BE OBLIGED TO REPAIR THE FRAME IN A CAR AS A RESULT OF DAMAGE THAT OCCURS DURING NORMAL DRIVING.