2000 BMW 328I: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 112 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (28% of complaints); the 1998 and 2001 model years look 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 112 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2021
“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)”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2020
“Tl* 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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2000 bmw 328i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v852000 (air bag) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact reached out to tulley bmw of nashua (147 daniel webster hwy, nashua, nh 03060; 603-888-5050) where it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. 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 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.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 bmw 328i. The contact stated that the subframe of the vehicle was coming apart. The vehicle was taken to nalley bmw of decatur (1606 church st, decatur, ga 30033, (404) 994-4329) where it was diagnosed that a new subframe needed to be installed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2018
“Tl* the contact owned a 2000 bmw 328i. While driving 65 mph, the contact's vehicle crashed into a wall to avoid being struck by another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the neck and back, which did not require medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 184,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2017
“"takata recall" I was hit by a driver going approx 100mph on highway 50e from behind and after being severally hit my tekata airbag damaged my chest, hurt my face, burned my clothes, arms, and made it impossible to breathe. This wouldn't have happened if bmw had more availability to inform, replace and fix such a horrific event.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2017
“I recieved a notice about this recall about 2 years ago and had it checked at bmw santa maria (ca). Tyhey said they wo0uld order the parts and call when they came in. Hearing nothing for a period of time I was told bmw wasn't willing to do the replacement at that time. That the believed my car was not at risk. When I recieced a 2nd notice I called them again and was told the repairs had been made. I asked to show me proof of this and they have not. I do not know what to do next.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2017
“Theres a problem with the gm5 module inside bmw's that need to be recalled and fixed my currently isn't working and none of my doors will open which I consider a huge safety hazard. From what I understand I'm not the only one with this problem. Bmw needs to aknowledge the problem they have with their cars.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 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 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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WITH AN IMPROVED SWITCH.
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 2000 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 328I 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 328I reliable?
NHTSA has 112 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 BMW 328I. The most complained-about area is air bags (28% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 BMW 328I problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 109,850 miles or less.
Does the 2000 BMW 328I 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.