2000 BMW 325ci recalls and problems

The 2000 BMW 325ci has 3 safety recalls and 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer.

Urgent: recall 20V-018 carries a "do not drive" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.
Recalls
3
Complaints
6
Crashes / fires
0 / 1
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2000 BMW 325ci vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2000 BMW 325ci recalls

Recall 21V-401: Air Bags

Reported May 27, 2021 · 4,511 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

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.

Recall 20V-018: Air Bags

Do not driveReported Jan 15, 2020 · 292,948 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

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.

Recall 19V-853: Air Bags

Reported Nov 26, 2019 · 74,185 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

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.

2000 BMW 325ci problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags2
Unknown or Other2
Electrical System2
Engine1
Power Train1
Fuel/Propulsion System1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 112,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2000 BMW 325ci complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Electrical System · reported Jan 27, 2025
Dash started smoking as soon as I turned rhe lights on, I exited the freeway and pulled into a neighborhood, parked on a corner turn the engine off and disconnected the battery, the smoke continued, within second the fire started, I poured 4 bottles of water with no luck, before I could ask the homes residents to hand me the garden hose, the fire spread, the sprayed and it just kept coming back, fire dept, cut the dash with an are and sprayed it, finally it was out
Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Jul 17, 2023
Fuel tank bracket on the Passenger side sheared off causing the strap supporting the tank to fall off and hit the ground resulting in sparking from the free end. Safety risk to occupants due to fuel tank hanging close to ground and sparking in close proximity. I inspected and determined car is unsafe to drive. No replacement parts available for repair as brackets are spot weld at manufacturer. Several bmw car owners have experienced the same issue on the same side and some have performed risky self fabricated solutions. This is a fire concern and a flawed BMW design that needs proper…
Air Bags · reported May 16, 2023
I took my vehicle to a BMW authorized service dealer for the repair of the "AirBag Recall" notice I received in the mail. The dealer did the recall repair and about a week later the light came back on and has remained on. After that happened my electric started acting up and also I was not able to get my convertible roof to go up or down ever again. I politely contacted the dealership, (and not wanting to bad mouth them) it apparently fell on deaf ears followed by what I felt was an accusation and insult on my ignorance of being an older woman and that it was impossible,that maybe I did…
Power Train · at 112,000 miles · reported Jan 20, 2021
Went togo to work and tried to back car our of driveway and no reverse. Nothing. See this is a very common issue with the 3 series. 112xxx on my bmw
Air Bags · reported Dec 16, 2019
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2000 bmw 325ci. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 19v853000 (Air bags) and stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to repair the vehicle. Dealer fields bmw south orlando (9750 s orange blossom trail, orlando, fl 32837) confirmed that parts were not available to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Other BMW 325ci years

Compare all BMW 325ci years · All BMW models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2000 BMW 325ci have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2000 BMW 325ci: 21V-401 (air bags), 20V-018 (air bags), 19V-853 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2000 BMW 325ci?

Owners report air bags problems most often (2 reports), followed by unknown or other (2). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 112,000 miles.

Are BMW recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized BMW dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.