Model year record

2000 BMW 323CI recalls & problems

The 2000 BMW 323CI has 4 safety recalls and 31 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (11 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints31filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

1 recall for this model year carries an NHTSA do not drive advisory. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Safety recalls

Air bagsMay 27, 2021

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 21V4010004,511 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 bagsJan 15, 2020

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 20V018000292,948 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

NHTSA advisory: do not drive affected vehicles until repaired.

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air bagsNov 26, 2019

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 19V85200034,396 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 bagsNov 26, 2019

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 19V85300074,185 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

323ci

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

323ci

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Typical mileage*
Air bags	11	0	77,000 mi
Power train	6	0	131,546 mi
StructureBody; Frame and members › Underbody shields	5	0	110,500 mi
Suspension	4	0	141,000 mi
Electrical system	3	1	120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	1	0	—
Exterior lighting	1	0	—
Unknown or other	1	1	—
Tires	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Tires
See attached document for complaint.
Jul 4, 2024
Structure › Body
CRACKED REAR SUBFRAME
Apr 30, 2009 · 60,000 miles
Air bags
I HAD BEEN NOTIFICATED ABOUT POSSIBLE INJURIES FOR SUDDENLY EXPLOSIN HAZARD FOR TAKATA AIR BAGS COMPONENTS, MY CONCERN ITS MY FAMILY AND MY OWN SECURITY.
Oct 13, 2016
Structure › Body
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 323CI. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE INSPECTING THE TRUNK AREA, A LARGE CRACK WAS DISCOVERED IN THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRAMAN BMW LOCATED IN JUPITER, FLORIDA, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
Jul 16, 2017 · 165,000 miles
Unknown or otherFire
SOMETIMES THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. IN SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR ,WHILE DRIVING IT SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE VENTS THEN SOON AFTER THE HOLE CAR CAUGHT FIRE. I LOVED MY BMW!
Sep 5, 2016 · 160,000 miles
Structure › Body
BMW SUBFRAME RECALL. TOOK MY 2000 323CI IN FOR TUNE UP. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT LH REAR SUBFRAME SEPARATED FROM UNIBODY. WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2009 BUT WAS NEVER INFORMED BY BMW. WANTING TO KNOW HOW TO ACCESS RECALL FOR BMW TO FIX. VEHICLE WAS IN SHOP WHEN NOTIFIED OF ISSUE.
Feb 24, 2014 · 105,000 miles
Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 323CI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME STUCK IN THIRD GEAR. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS LOCKED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR A TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN 2003 BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 191,000.
Feb 1, 2016 · 191,000 miles
Electrical system
A FAULTY GM5 SEEMS TO BE THE REASON FOR THE DRIVER-SIDE DOOR NOT UNLOCKING WITH THE REMOTE KEY FOB. THE REMOTE KEY CAN UNLOCK THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR, BUT NOT THE DRIVER'S SIDE.
Mar 2, 2015 · 120,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.