2000 BMW 328i recalls and problems

The 2000 BMW 328i has 7 safety recalls and 112 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer.

Urgent: recall 20V-018, recall 14V-428 carry a "do not drive" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.
Recalls
7
Complaints
112
Crashes / fires
6 / 2
Injuries / deaths
7 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2000 BMW 328i vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2000 BMW 328i 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-852: Air Bags

Reported Nov 26, 2019 · 34,396 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

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.

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.

Recall 14V-428: Air Bags

Do not driveReported Jun 11, 2018 · 574,007 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Recall 02V-223: Air Bags

Reported Aug 9, 2002 · 20,500 vehicles affected · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 00V-048: Exterior Lighting

Reported Feb 17, 2000 · 17,700 vehicles affected · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The brake lamps in these vehicles are controlled by a switch activated by the movement of the brake pedal. This switch could fail internally, causing it to remain either in the "brake lamps off" position or in the "brake lamps on" position.

Risk: If this happens, the brake lamps either will not operate or will be continuously illuminated, regardless of brake pedal position.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the existing brake lamp switch with an improved switch.

2000 BMW 328i problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags36
Structure31
Power Train27
Suspension12
Visibility7
Engine and Engine Cooling6
Electrical System5
Tires4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Engine3
Vehicle Speed Control2
Unknown or Other2

Most reported parts

  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 18
  • Structure › Frame and Members — 17
  • Structure › Body — 8
  • Air Bags › Side/Window — 6
  • Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls — 5
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 3
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System — 2
  • Suspension › Front › Control Arm — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 110,700 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 328i complaints

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

Air Bags · reported Jun 24, 2021
May of 2019 my driver door airbag, driver side front to rear pillar airbag bursted open while driving 30mph on a flat smooth road. Took to BMW dealer and they informed me that there was a recall and they'd look into it. Days later picked up my car and they said they went off from aftermarket items on my car. Which is absurdly inaccurate. I'm an auto mechanic of 10 years and nothing I've done to my car has any effect on the airbag or safety systems of my car period. They were extremely rude, didn't want to fix the over $5000 of damage that was done to my interior. Treated me like I was some…
Air Bags · at 96,000 miles · reported Mar 17, 2021
I was driving the vehicle in the early morning still dark on a state road and raining very hard could not see out the windshield. I believe I hit a pot hole. That's when the side curtain deployed on the right side causing damage to the headliner and a pillar post. Unknown why it went off. I know there's a recall for the front airbags and some forums stated this has happened to them as well. I inspected the vehicle and I could not see any other damage to the vehicle.
Air Bags · reported Aug 1, 2020
Safety recall on bmw 3-series vehicles (Model year 1999-2001) for driver's air bag inflator (Nadi) . Since february 18,2020 I've been trying to have bmw agent dealer / car maintenance services in concord ca to perform the remedy concerning this issue with no results ( It's always the same reason : spare parts are not available)
Engine · at 96,000 miles · reported Mar 19, 2020
The contact owns a 2000 bmw 328i. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, white smoke emitted from the vents without warning. The contact also stated that the driver side lower control arm was defective and that the electronic engine power control warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the radiator fluid needed frequent top offs. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.
Air Bags · reported Jan 30, 2020
The contact owns a 2000 bmw 328i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v853000 (Air bags) however, the parts 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.

Other BMW 328i years

Compare all BMW 328i years · All BMW models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2000 BMW 328i have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2000 BMW 328i: 21V-401 (air bags), 20V-018 (air bags), 19V-852 (air bags), 19V-853 (air bags), 14V-428 (air bags) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2000 BMW 328i?

Owners report air bags problems most often (36 reports), followed by structure (31). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 110,700 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.