RoadVitals

1999 BMW 3 Series

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
6
Latest Apr 18, 2014
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest May 27, 2021
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 BMW 3 Series, most frequently naming the airbags, body & structure and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 27 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags350.0%
  • Body & structure116.7%
  • Electrical116.7%
  • Fuel system116.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
21V401000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

May 27, 2021
4,511 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA02012ClosedEngineering Analysis

INADVERTENT SIDE-IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYME

Opened Jul 15, 2002
Closed Jun 24, 2003

THE SUBJECT VEHICLE'S AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE CONTAINS PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC FOR DEPLOYING THE SIDE-IMPACT AIR BAGS.BMW REVISED THE MODULE SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE SPAN OF THE MODEL YEARS 1999 THROUGH 2002 (IDENTIFIED AS MRS2.CA, MRS2.BB, MRS3, MRS3+ AND MRS4).ALTHOUGH MODEL YEAR 1999.5 VEHICLES WITH VERSION MRS2.BB HAD 6.5% OF THE SUBJECT POPULATION, IT ACCOUNTED FOR 29% OF THE TOTAL REPORTS RECEIVED.THE MRS2.BB EXPOSURE ADJUSTED REPORT RATE WAS ALMOST 4 TIMES HIGHER THAN OTHER 3 SERIES AIR BAG MODULE VERSIONS.IN AUGUST 2002, BMW INITIATED A RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR 20,500 MODEL 323I AND 328I VEHICLES WITH VERSION MRS2.BB (NHTSA RECALL # 02V223000).IN ADDITION TO EXPERIENCING A LOWER RATE OF NON-CRASH DEPLOYMENTS, MOST OF THE NON-RECALLED VEHICLES ALSO SHOWED EVIDENCE OF SIGNIFICANT POTHOLE/CURB IMPACT WITH SOME HAVING ADDITIONAL UNDERCARRIAGE CONTACT/SCRAPE OR SUSPENSION DAMAGE.SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOWLed to recall 02V223000
PE99017ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS

Opened Mar 2, 1999
Closed May 11, 1999

ALLEGED THAT THE DRIVER'S OR FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY WITHOUT A VEHICLE CRASH

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOWLed to recall 99V063000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Apr 18, 2014

I WAS DRIVING HOME AT 10:15 PM AND THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR MOUNTED AND PASSENGER SIDE HEAD PROTECTION AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I CALLED BMW THE FOLLOWING MORNING TO REPORT IT AND SEE WHAT I SHOULD DO. I WAS TOLD I WOULD GET A RETURN CALL WITHIN 1-3 BUSINESS DAYS. I HAVE LEFT 2 MESSAGES AND BMW STILL HAS NOT CALLED ME BACK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10583545
Incident
Apr 14, 2014
Mileage
226,722 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 24, 2013

THE BMW 323I ( BMW E46 ) FUEL TANK STRAP, WHICH HOLDS THE FUEL TANK IN PLACE, DETACHED FROM THE CAR BODY. THIS IS A STRAP HOLDING THE FUEL TANK IN PLACE. THE 4 SPOT WELDS THAT HOLD THE STRAP TO THE CAR BODY FAILED. NOTE, THE FUEL TANK IS HELD IN PLACE BY THIS STRAP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10557179
Incident
Dec 23, 2013
Mileage
150,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 7, 2013

I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO BRECHT DEALERSHIP IN ESCONDIDO TO ADDRESS SEATBELT SAFETY/AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR A TOTAL OF EIGHT (8) TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE. TODAY THE SEATBELT AIRBAG WARNING DEVISE CAME ON WITH THE LOANER PROVIDED BYDEALER WITH A SCREEN STATEMENT: WARNING DANGER KEEP YOUR SEATBELT ON AND RETURN TO SHOP FOR REPAIR. THIS IS A 20014 VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS ENTIRE ISSUE OF SEATBELT AIRBAG SAFETY IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND WARRANTS FULL INVESTIGATION BEFORE A GRANDCHILD SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS KILLED FROM AN AIRBAG IMPROPERLY EJECTING OR EVEN WORSE NOTHING NO AIRBAG OR SEAT BELT PROTECTION IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10534078
Incident
Jul 1, 2002
Mileage
28,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 11, 2012

ALL DOORS LOCK ON THEIR OWN AND THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF CLOSE LEAVING YOU LOCKED INSIDE THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10465325
Incident
Jul 2, 2012
Mileage
155,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 11, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 3 SERIES. WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT A FAULTY SEAT BELT CLIP CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT BELT CLIP ONCE MORE. ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CABLE CONNECTOR AND STRAP, A SHRINK TUBE, AND THE LOWER BELT. FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE AIR BAG WARNING ILLUMINATED FOR THE FOURTH TIME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AIR BAG HAD FAILED. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS BE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT HAS NOT BEEN MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,916 UPDATED 0310/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER HAD A RECALL NOTICE WHICH ADDRESSES AN AIR BAG ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10196059
Incident
Oct 1, 2000
Mileage
3,916 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 12, 2004

(1) IN EVERYDAY DRIVING, I HEARD A CREAKING NOISE IN THE REAR END OF MY 1999 BMW 328I. (2) I FOUND THAT THE LEFT REAR SUBFRAME HAS STARTED TO SHEAR AWAY FROM THE CHASSIS MAKING THE CAR ONLY DRIVABLE FOR ONLY SHORT DISTANCES, IF AT ALL. (3) I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER THE COST OF REPAIR AS A GOODWILL GESTURE AND THEY SAID NO. I THEN APPEALED TO BMW NORTH AMERICA AND THEY SENT OUT A BODY TECHNICIAN WHO ALSO DENIED THE REPAIR. THE CAR WAS APPROX. ONE YEAR AND 10000 MILES OVER WARRANTY. NO PARTS WERE REPLACED NOR ANY REPAIRS MADE. THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE WORKMANSHIP OF THE CAR AND IT IS DOCUMENTED ON THE WEB FORUM WWW.BIMMER.ROADFLY.ORG. *NM

NHTSA ID
10095640
Incident
Oct 12, 2004
Mileage
60,660 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

SIB-61-37-12

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

BMW: THE HIGH-VOLTAGE (HV) BATTERY CELLS COULD BE DAMAGED IF THE VEHICLE IS PREVENTED FROM ENTERING SLEEP MODE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. UPDATED 03/11/2013 *JS

SIB122512

ENGINE

BMW: VEHICLE DOES NOT START: LOOSE GROUND Z6000 *4B. COVERED UNDER THE TERMS OF THE BMW NEW VEHICLE/SAV LIMITED WARRANTY. *JS

SIB270212

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

BMW: DSC WARNING LIGHT IS ON. THE WARNING LAMPS FOR DSC, ABS AND BRAKE WARNING ILLUMINATED. THERE MAY ALSO BE A WARNING IN THE CONTROL DISPLAY FOR CHASSIS CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE. *JS

B63-03-12

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

BMW: THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR LIGHT IN THE SIDE PANEL HAS CONDENSATION CONCERNING VEHICLES PRODUCED UP TO FEBRUARY 27,2012. *JS

SIB-65-75-06

AIR BAGS

BMW SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. THE AIRBAG WARNING LAMP (AWL) IS ILLUMINATED, TOGETHER WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP (POL). THE PROBLEM MAY BE INTERMITTENT. MICROCRACKS IN THE OC3 SEAT MAT. *PE UPDATED 9/30/11. *PE

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 3 Series by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023010—
2013210242.2
2012731—
2011130—
2010303045.8
2009532048.8
2008683045.4
20071152046.9
20062024150.9
2005250140.8
2004770342.2
2003730342.5
2002260639.9
2001361241.3
2000881247.3
1999Viewing612—
1998340—
1997540—
1996240—
1995340—
1994130—
1993030—
1992030—
1991000—
1990000—
1989000—
1988000—
1987000—
1986100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.