2000 BMW 323CI: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 31 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (37% of complaints); the 2001 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2017
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
“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!”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2016
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2015
“There were two people involved when the driver ran over the curb at less than 25 mph. The driver's and passenger's front airbag went off and the car shut off and does not crank at startup. The car was towed to a shop where they estimated a quote of $900 to fix it not including the airbags work. Both passengers are okay. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 bmw 323ci. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v428000 (air bags) however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The vehicle had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 bmw 323ci. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14v428000 (air bags). However, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experience a failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 bmw 323ci. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v428000 (air bags) and stated that the parts and remedy were not available for months. The dealer did not give a specific date for when the parts would become available to schedule the recall appointment. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 bmw 323ci. The contact stated that the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14v428000 (air bags) was received in september of 2014. After contacting the dealer and the manufacturer, the contact was informed that the parts needed to remedy the recall were not available and no estimated time for receiving the parts could be given. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2014
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact 323CI by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 BMW 323CI reliable?
NHTSA has 31 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 BMW 323CI. The most complained-about area is air bags (37% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 BMW 323CI problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 121,000 miles or less.
Does the 2000 BMW 323CI have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.