1999 BMW 323I: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 136 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (32% 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 136 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1999 bmw 323i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v852000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to sandia bmw located at 6001 pan american fwy, albuquerque, nm 87109, where it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2020
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1999 bmw 323i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v852000 (air bags) however, the part 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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 bmw 323i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v852000 (air bags) however, the parts to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact reached out to daniels bmw (4600 crackersport rd, allentown, pa 18104) however the call went unanswered. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 bmw 323i. The contact received a recall notification in the mail for NHTSA campaign number: 19v851000 (air bags). The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was informed that they did not know when the part would be available. The contact was instructed to not drive the vehicle. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 bmw 323i. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 19v851000 (air bags). The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that the parts were not available; however, they should be available the fourth quarter of 2020. The contact was offered the option to have the vehicle bought back, but the contact declined. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 bmw 323i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v852000 (air bags) however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to union park bmw dealer, 1900 pennsylvania ave, wilmington, de 19806, where it was rejected to be serviced due to the part not available for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact part was not available. The failure mileage was 178,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.*dt*jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2019
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1999 bmw 323i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v851000 (air bags) however, the parts to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of this issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2019
“Airbag recall, bmw doesn't have the parts to fix the problem until sept of 2020. In the meantime bmw wants my car off the road until they fix it, which would be unreasonable. Have not offered a rental car until then.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2019
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1999 bmw 323i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v852000 (air bags) however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer bmw of nashville (1568 mallory ln, brentwood, tn 37027 (615) 928-2541) was contacted and confirmed that the remedy part was not available. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the issue which also confirmed parts were not available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2019
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1999 bmw 323i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v852000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called two bmw dealers, including steve thomas bmw (411 daily drive, camarillo, ca 93010), and it was confirmed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLIP FOR TIGHT INSTALLATION AND REPLACE THE CLIP IF IT IS LOOSE.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE CENTRAL COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE THAT REGULATES THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL OF THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEMS.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1999 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 323I 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 1999 BMW 323I reliable?
NHTSA has 136 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 BMW 323I. The most complained-about area is air bags (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 BMW 323I problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 106,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 BMW 323I have open recalls?
7 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.