2000 Bmw 328CI: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
134,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 15 complaints (46.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 6.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 6.7% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 7 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 3 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 |
Suspension: 7; Power Train: 5; Structure:Body: 5; Air Bags: 3; Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields: 3; Electrical System: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 3 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 4; 2014: 3; 2015: 2; 2018: 1; 2020: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 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 10441747 · 2011-12-30 (December 30, 2011)
SUBFRAME CRACK!! ON OCTOBER 24, 2006, [XXX] FILED A CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT AGAINST BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, ALLEGING THAT 1999-2006 BMW 3 SERIES VEHICLES SUFFER FROM DEFECTIVE SUB-FRAMES. ACCORDING TO THE COMPLAINT, THE CONSTANT LOADING AND UNLOADING ASSOCIATED WITH NORMAL DRIVING CAN WEAKEN THE SUB-FRAME TO THE POINT WHERE IT CRACKS AND SEPARATES FROM THE CHASSIS, RESULTING IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE COMPLAINT ALLEGES THAT BMW WAS AWARE OF THE ALLEGED SUB-FRAME DEFECT, BUT FAILED TO NOTIFY CONSUMERS OR PAY FOR SUB-FR…
Owner-reported narrative. 141,640 miles reported. Look up ODI 10441747 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10444538 · 2012-01-19 (January 19, 2012)
THE REAR OF THE CAR STARTED MAKING A LOUD THUMPING SOUND ONE DAY. AFTER INSPECTION ON A SHOP LIFT, THE VEHICLE WAS FOUND TO HAVE MULTIPLE CRACKS AND FRACTURES IN THE REAR SUB FRAME MOUNT LOCATIONS. UPON RESEARCH IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS DUE TO METAL FATIGUE IN THE GENERAL AREAS. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10444538 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10460682 · 2012-06-05 (June 5, 2012)
THE ISSUE I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT WITH MY VEHICLE IS A CRACKED SUBFRAME. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED ON MULTIPLE VEHICLES AND THERE WAS A LAWSUIT CREATED ON BEHALF OF BMW OWNERS AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE (SEE SETTLEMENT WEBSITE BELOW). WWW.E46SUBFRAMECLASSACTIONSETTLEMENT.COM THE ISSUE I HAVE IS THAT I TURNED MY VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION WITH MY LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP (EAST BAY BMW OF PLEASANTON, CALIFORNIA) WELL BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF THE LAWSUIT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SUBFRAME ISSUE DID NOT EXIST. MONTHS LATER AFTER HEARING REPEATE…
Owner-reported narrative. 108,958 miles reported. Look up ODI 10460682 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10499616 · 2013-02-21 (February 21, 2013)
AROUND CHRISTMAS OF 2012 I STARTED TO NOTICE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR OF MY CAR WHEN TORQUE IS APPLIED TO THE BODY OF THE CAR BY THE DIFFERENTIAL. THIS IS AN INDICATION OF THE BODY'S SUBFRAME FAILING. BMW NEEDS TO ISSUE A FULL RECALL FOR EARLY MODEL E46 CARS. I DO NOT HAVE A JOB AND NOW MY CAR IS A HAZARD TO DRIVE DUE TO THIS ISSUE; THIS MAKES IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO FIX EFFECTIVELY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 136,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10499616 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10503685 · 2013-03-19 (March 19, 2013)
THE REAR SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY TORE OFF AT THE LEFT REAR DIFFERENTIAL/AXLE MOUNT POINTS, RENDERING THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. BMW OF NORTH SCOTTSDALE (SCOTTSDALE, AZ) INSPECTED THE DAMAGE AND VERIFIED THAT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A SMOOTH HIGHWAY. INSPECTIONS BY BMW OF NORTH SCOTTSDALE, PENSKE AUTOMOTIVE COLLISION, AND MERCURY AUTO INSURANCE AGENTS FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF IMPACT. THE CONSENSUS OF EXPERT OPINION IS THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO METAL FATIGUE, AND THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH BMW E46 3 SERIES AUTOM…
Owner-reported narrative. 150,205 miles reported. Look up ODI 10503685 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10503871 · 2013-03-21 (March 21, 2013)
THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP COMPLAINT TO MY NHTSA-ODI 10503685 INCIDENT DESCRIPTION, WHICH DESCRIBES A SERIOUS SUBFRAME FAILURE THAT OCCURRED TO MY CAR. THE FORTUNATE SURVIVORS OF THE MANY SUBFRAME FAILURE INCIDENTS WHO FILED A BMW 3-SERIES AUTOMOBILE SUBFRAME FAILURE COMPLAINT HAVE ALLEGED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY DESIGN IN THESE CARS. ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA, ALL "COMPLAINT INFORMATION WILL BE ENTERED INTO NHTSA-ODI'S VEHICLE OWNER'S COMPLAINT DATABASE AND USED WITH OTHER COMPLAINTS TO DETERMINE IF A SAFETY-RELATED…
Owner-reported narrative. 150,205 miles reported. Look up ODI 10503871 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10504960 · 2013-03-29 (March 29, 2013)
I WAS LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD HORRIBLE NOISE'S COMING FROM UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL. I THEN JACKED UP MY CAR TO SEE IF ANYTHING WAS VISUALLY WRONG AND COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT I SAW THE REAR SUBFRAME THAT BOLTS TO THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR HAD RIPED THROUGH THE METAL. SCARY! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10504960 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10638268 · 2014-09-22 (September 22, 2014)
I OWN A 2000 BMW 328 CI. IT ALSO HAS HAD A REAR END SUB FRAME FAILURE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN FOUND AT FAULT FOR BY THE STATE OF CA IN A LAWSUIT DATED IN 2006. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THEIR ATTENTION AND THEY ADMITTED THIER FAILED DESIGN, AND BECAUSE SOMEONE HAD TO TRIED TO REPAIR IT BEFORE THEY SOLD IT TO ME, OF COURSE WITHOUT INFORMING ME ABOUT, THEY REFUSED TO DO WARRANTY WORK ON IT, BECAUSE A FEEBLE ATTEMPT AT REINFORCING A FAILED SUB FRAME MOUNT. FAST FORWARD TO NOW, THEY OFFERED ME 2000 DOLLARS ON A 6100 DOLLAR REPAIR BECAUSE THEY HAVE ADMITTED F…
Owner-reported narrative. 135,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10638268 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗20V018000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2020-01-15 (January 15, 2020)
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.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
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 ↗