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1999 Bmw 323I: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

131 owner complaints analyzed

7 distinct recall campaigns

106,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 73 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 28 of 131 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting2519.1%
Braking behavior86.1%
Electrical and battery issues43.1%
Engine operation10.8%
Steering behavior10.8%
Fuel system concerns10.8%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags
28
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
28
Air Bags:Side/Window
8
Air Bags:Frontal
7
Structure:Frame And Members
6
Suspension
6
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
5
Electrical System
5
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags28
Power Train:Automatic Transmission28
Air Bags:Side/Window8
Air Bags:Frontal7
Structure:Frame And Members6
Suspension6
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module5
Electrical System5

Air Bags: 28; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 28; Air Bags:Side/Window: 8; Air Bags:Frontal: 7; Structure:Frame And Members: 6; Suspension: 6; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 5; Electrical System: 5

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
5
25,000 to 49,999
5
50,000 to 74,999
10
75,000 to 99,999
11
100,000 to 149,999
23
150,000 and above
19
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0005
25,000 to 49,9995
50,000 to 74,99910
75,000 to 99,99911
100,000 to 149,99923
150,000 and above19

Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 23; 150,000 and above: 19

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (23). 58 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2000
7
2001
8
2002
13
2003
10
2004
13
2005
4
2006
6
2007
6
2008
13
2009
5
2010
6
2011
10
2012
4
2013
3
2014
1
2015
4
2017
3
2018
1
2019
3
2020
11
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20007
20018
200213
200310
200413
20054
20066
20076
200813
20095
20106
201110
20124
20133
20141
20154
20173
20181
20193
202011

2000: 7; 2001: 8; 2002: 13; 2003: 10; 2004: 13; 2005: 4; 2006: 6; 2007: 6; 2008: 13; 2009: 5; 2010: 6; 2011: 10; 2012: 4; 2013: 3; 2014: 1; 2015: 4; 2017: 3; 2018: 1; 2019: 3; 2020: 11

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 25 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10004755 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)

WHILE 65MPH BOTH SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004755 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10009736 · 2003-03-04 (March 4, 2003)

VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH YET THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *NLM *TS

Owner-reported narrative. 26,116 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009736 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10014228 · 2003-04-10 (April 10, 2003)

AIRBAG SENSOR MAT WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES ON PASSENGER SIDE (2/9/01, 12/20/01 AND 10/31/02) AS A RESULT OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT BEING ON. CURRENTLY 4/10/03 THE SAME PROBLEM IS OCCURRING RESULTING IN FOURTH TIME THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THIS ITEM. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014228 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10020789 · 2003-05-31 (May 31, 2003)

ENTIRE TRANSMISSION FOR 1999 BMW 323 IC NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (ESTIMATED CHARGE IS $4600.00) - AFTER ONLY 60,000 MILES. THE ONBOARD COMPUTER DID NOT ALERT ME OF THE PROBLEM SOON ENOUGH.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020789 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10026698 · 2003-08-01 (August 1, 2003)

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT REAR PASSENGER WINDOW PROBLEMS . MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND DIDN'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.*AK *TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026698 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10029223 · 2003-07-26 (July 26, 2003)

I WAS DRIVING MY 1999 BMW 323I ON HWY 101 IN SANTA CLARA, CA. THE CAR SUNDENLY FEELS "WEAK". I IMMEDIATELY PULL OFF THE NEXT EXIT. AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AFTER THE EXIT RAMP THE CAR STALLS. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO MOVE IT, SLOWLY, TO A PARKING LOT. THERE I FOUND THAT A). I LOST THE REVERSE GEAR B). THE TRANSIMISSION PROGRAM LIGHT WAS ON. I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR AGAIN TO SEE IF IT MOVES BUT THE ENGINE KEEPS STALLING - I NOTICED THAT THE TRANSIMISSION DOES NOT APPEARS TO BE SHIFTING. IT IS LIKE STARTING A MANUAL SHIFT CAR FROM THE …

Owner-reported narrative. 75,365 miles reported. Look up ODI 10029223 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10045490 · 2003-11-05 (November 5, 2003)

I HAVE HAD A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH MY 1999 323I SINCE 4/30/2003 THAT THE BMW SERVICE TECHNICIANS CANNOT RESOLVE AT TWO SEPARATE BMW DEALERS IN MARYLAND, TISCHER BMW (WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR), AND TOWSON BMW. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE CHECK ENGINE, EML AND DSC (TRACTION) LIGHTS ALL COME ON AT THE SAME TIME, AND THE CAR LOSES POWER NOT ABLE TO GO ABOVE 40 MPH (APPARENTLY GOES INTO A FAIL SAFE MODE). THE LIGHTS THEN GO OUT ONE BY ONE AFTER TURNING THE CAR ON AND OFF ABOUT FOUR TIMES, AND POWER IS RESTORED TO THE CAR. ALL IS WELL SEEMINGLY UNTIL IT …

Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045490 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10046256 · 2003-11-03 (November 3, 2003)

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAD TWO CONTINENTAL CONTITOURING CONTACT TIRES MADE FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER. THE TWO TIRES, WHICH WERE LOCATED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, BLEW OUT. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION AROUND 17000 MILES . *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10046256 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

7 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

02V223000 · Air Bags:Side/Window

Reported: 2002-08-09 (August 9, 2002)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V851000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-11-26 (November 26, 2019)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V852000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-11-26 (November 26, 2019)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V853000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-11-26 (November 26, 2019)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V401000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2021-05-27 (May 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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
99V063000 · Air Bags:Side/Window

Reported: 1999-03-26 (March 26, 1999)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
99V100000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages

Reported: 1999-05-03 (May 3, 1999)

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.

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, BRAKING IS NOT POSSIBLE.

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

NHTSA campaign record ↗