1999 BMW 323i

Do not drive

Owners filed 136 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 7 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

73 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 150,000200,000 miles; the median is 106,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission28
100
Air Bags27
102
Structure › Frame and Members6
000
Air Bags › Frontal6
303
Air Bags › Side/Window5
101
Tires › Tread/Belt4
000
Tires4
100
Suspension4
000
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch4
000
Latches/Locks/Linkages4
113

7 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module21V401000
Filed May 27, 20214,511 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Remedy. 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.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module19V851000Do not drive
Filed Nov 26, 20197,910 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 1999 323i and 328i vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata at one specific inflator production facility. These inflators do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result 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.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect the driver air bag inflators and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: BMW recommends that owners do not continue to drive their vehicles.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module19V853000
Filed Nov 26, 201974,185 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 1999-2001 323i, 325i, 328i and 330i and 2000-2001 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, 323iT, and 325iT vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver air bag as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result 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.

Remedy. BMW notified owners, and Dealers will replace the driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module19V852000
Filed Nov 26, 201934,396 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 1999-2000 323i and 328i and 2000 323Ci and 328Ci vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata. These inflators do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result 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.

Remedy. BMW will mail interim notices informing owners of the safety risk on January 17, 2020. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Dealers will inspect the driver air bag inflators and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. BMW mailed interim notices informing owners of the safety risk on January 17, 2020. The recall began July 27, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air Bags › Side/Window02V223000
Filed Aug 9, 200220,500 vehiclesBayerische Motoren Werke

Defect. ON CERTAIN 4-DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM COULD DEPLOY IN CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS, SUCH AS WHEN CONTACTING LARGE POTHOLES OR CURBS AT SUBSTANTIAL SPEEDS.

Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE THE SIDE AIR BAG AND HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM TO DEPLOY WITHOUT AN ACTUAL SIDE CRASH OR IMPACT SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE SIGNIFICANT VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAG COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF THE OCCUPANT'S HEAD IS RESTING NEAR THE SIDE AIR BAG.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE CENTRAL AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH A NON-CRASH DEPLOYMENT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 25, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages99V100000
Filed May 3, 199931,067 vehiclesBayerische Motoren Werke

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE RETAINING CLIP THAT SECURES THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUSHROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM WAS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED DURING PRODUCTION. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE CLIP TO DETACH FROM THE PIN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM ALLOWING THE PUSHROD TO DISCONNECT FROM THE ARM.

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, BRAKING IS NOT POSSIBLE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLIP FOR TIGHT INSTALLATION AND REPLACE THE CLIP IF IT IS LOOSE.

Air Bags › Side/Window99V063000
Filed Mar 26, 199934,701 vehiclesBayerische Motoren Werke

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH A SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM CONSISTING OF DOOR-MOUNTED THORAX AIR BAGS (REAR DOOR AIR BAGS ARE OPTIONAL), A HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM (HPS) FOR FRONT OCCUPANTS, A CENTRAL ELECTRONIC SENSOR AND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM, LEFT AND RIGHT SATELLITE IMPACT SENSORS, AND ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS SYSTEM IS UNDULY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS, SUCH AS CONTACTING LARGE POTHOLES OR CURBS AT SUBSTANTIAL SPEED.

Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE THE SIDE AIR BAG AND HPS TO DEPLOY WITHOUT AN ACTUAL SIDE CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL (BST) WOULD ALSO ACTIVATE, DISCONNECTING THE STARTER CABLE FROM THE BATTERY. IN THIS CASE, VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE AND THE ENGINE WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN, BUT AFTER STOPPING, COULD NOT BE RESTARTED.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE CENTRAL COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE THAT REGULATES THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL OF THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEMS.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Sep 17, 2020NM

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V852000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SANDIA BMW LOCATED AT 6001 PAN AMERICAN FWY, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87109, WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags
Filed May 26, 2020CA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V852000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED TWO BMW DEALERS, INCLUDING STEVE THOMAS BMW (411 DAILY DRIVE, CAMARILLO, CA 93010), AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed May 26, 202048,973 milesMA

I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE - REMEDY UNAVAILABLE FROM BMW. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN ACTIVATED ON THE DASHBOARD SINCE DECEMBER 19, 2019. THE NOTICE READ THAT "IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT THE AIRBAG HOUSING MAY EXPLODE AND COULD CAUSE METAL FRAGMENTS TO PASS THROUGH THE AIR BAG CUSHION MATERIAL, STRIKING THE DRIVER OR OTHER OCCUPANTS WHICH MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH." I SPOKE WITH BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND WAS TOLD THAT I COULD CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I WILL NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THIS PROBLEM IS REMEDIED NOR SHOULD I BE EXPECTED TO. IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN FIVE MONTHS SINCE I RECEIVED THE ORIGINAL NOTICE AND THERE IS STILL NO DATE GIVEN FOR THE EXPECTED REMEDY. I BELIEVE THAT BMW SHOULD PROVIDE ME WITH A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE UNTIL SUCH TIME AS A REMEDY IS AVAILABLE. WHY HASN'T A STOP DRIVING ORDER BEEN ISSUED BY BMW IF THIS PROBLEM COULD RESULT IN THE DEATH OF THE DRIVER? WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE? *TR

Air Bags
Filed Apr 3, 2020FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V851000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. BMW OF OCALA (5145 SW COLLEGE RD, OCALA, FL 34474) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER LATER CALLED THE CONTACT AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL WOULD NOT BECOME AVAILABLE UNTIL THE END OF 2020. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT UNTIL THE PART WAS AVAILABLE THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT*JB

Air Bags
Filed Mar 11, 2020AZ

AIRBAG RECALL, BMW DOESN'T HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL SEPT OF 2020. IN THE MEANTIME BMW WANTS MY CAR OFF THE ROAD UNTIL THEY FIX IT, WHICH WOULD BE UNREASONABLE. HAVE NOT OFFERED A RENTAL CAR UNTIL THEN.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 9, 2020178,000 milesDE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V852000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO UNION PARK BMW DEALER, 1900 PENNSYLVANIA AVE, WILMINGTON, DE 19806, WHERE IT WAS REJECTED TO BE SERVICED DUE TO THE PART NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT*JB

Air Bags
Filed Feb 26, 2020PA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V852000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO DANIELS BMW (4600 CRACKERSPORT RD, ALLENTOWN, PA 18104) HOWEVER THE CALL WENT UNANSWERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 24, 2020NJ

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V852000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 24, 2020NC

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V851000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 9, 2020TN

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V852000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER BMW OF NASHVILLE (1568 MALLORY LN, BRENTWOOD, TN 37027 (615) 928-2541) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE REMEDY PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE WHICH ALSO CONFIRMED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 3, 2020CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V851000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THEY SHOULD BE AVAILABLE THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2020. THE CONTACT WAS OFFERED THE OPTION TO HAVE THE VEHICLE BOUGHT BACK, BUT THE CONTACT DECLINED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 30, 2019CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION IN THE MAIL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V851000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS INSTRUCTED TO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Power Train
Filed Nov 29, 2019110,000 milesNY

CAR DOES NOT MOVE IN REVERSE (AT). NO PRIOR WARNING SIGNS. FORWARD OPERATION CONTINUES AS GOOD AS EVER.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Nov 22, 2019182,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323I. APPROXIMATELY FOUR HOURS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, FLAMES APPEARED INSIDE THE VEHICLE NEAR THE DRIVER'S SIDE DASHBOARD. THE FLAMES WERE EXTINGUISHED BY THE CONTACT BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED AS OF YET BUT THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE LIGHT CONTROL MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 28, 2018MD

MULTIPLE REPORTS ONLINE WITH THE AIRBAG SENSOR GOING OFF. MINE IS ONE OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS FOR MODEL

Electrical System
Filed Nov 4, 2017235,000 milesNC

MY CENTRAL DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK, RESULTING IN NONE OF THE PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT OPEN WHEN LOCKED. SO ALL PASSENGERS ARE TRAPPED IN THE BACK SEAT AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE DRIVER DOOR CAN BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE AND WITH A KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO BMW AND THEY WROTE A REPORT BUT SAID THE 1999 YEAR MODEL WOULD PROBABLY NOT BE COVERED. IN NO WAY SHOULD PASSENGERS NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT AN AUTOMOBILE DURING AN EMERGENCY. I CAN NOT DRIVE THE CAR WITH PASSENGERS. TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM IS ESTIMATED AT $550.00. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IT IS PARKED AND MOTOR ON OR OFF

Air Bags
Filed May 7, 2017153,000 milesME

TAKATA RECALL WHILE PULLING OUT OF A STORE ON A SMOOTH SURFACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG JUST EXPLODED WITH MY GRAND DAUGHTER IN THE BACK SEAT IN A CAR SEAT. THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE LIKE MATERIAL. I'VE READ MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS HAPPENING BUT THE DEALER SAYS IT IS NOT A RECALL.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 1, 2017123,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

Suspension
Filed Oct 26, 2015180,600 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323I. WHILE INSPECTING THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE NEAR THE MOUNTING OF THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,600.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 9, 2015105,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH OVER A POTHOLE, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE SIDE DOOR. THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

20 of 136 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20111200Routine
20101200Routine
20090200Routine
20083200Routine
20072210Routine
20060200Routine
20050100Do not drive
20040100Do not drive
20030100Do not drive
20020100Do not drive
20013310Do not drive
2000401720Do not drive
1999 — this page136775Do not drive
199816010Routine

Compare every 323i year →

Reading this record

NHTSA has issued a do-not-drive warning for a recall on this vehicle.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 27, 2021. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.