RoadVitals

1999 BMW 323I Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
136
Latest Sep 17, 2020
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.
17
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jul 29, 1999

What this page shows

Our database holds 136 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 BMW 323I. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 136 · page 1 of 6

Airbags
Filed Sep 17, 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 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.

NHTSA ID
11355523
Incident
Sep 1, 2020
Airbags
Filed May 26, 2020

I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE - REMEDY UNAVAILABLE FROM BMW. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN ACTIVATED ON THE DASHBOARD SINCE DECEMBER 19, 2019. THE NOTICE READ THAT "IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT THE AIRBAG HOUSING MAY EXPLODE AND COULD CAUSE METAL FRAGMENTS TO PASS THROUGH THE AIR BAG CUSHION MATERIAL, STRIKING THE DRIVER OR OTHER OCCUPANTS WHICH MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH." I SPOKE WITH BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND WAS TOLD THAT I COULD CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I WILL NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THIS PROBLEM IS REMEDIED NOR SHOULD I BE EXPECTED TO. IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN FIVE MONTHS SINCE I RECEIVED THE ORIGINAL NOTICE AND THERE IS STILL NO DATE GIVEN FOR THE EXPECTED REMEDY. I BELIEVE THAT BMW SHOULD PROVIDE ME WITH A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE UNTIL SUCH TIME AS A REMEDY IS AVAILABLE. WHY HASN'T A STOP DRIVING ORDER BEEN ISSUED BY BMW IF THIS PROBLEM COULD RESULT IN THE DEATH OF THE DRIVER? WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE? *TR

NHTSA ID
11326075
Incident
Dec 19, 2019
Mileage
48,973 mi
Airbags
Filed May 26, 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 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.

NHTSA ID
11326052
Incident
Nov 26, 2019
Airbags
Filed Apr 3, 2020

TL* 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 WERE UNAVAILABLE. BMW OF OCALA (5145 SW COLLEGE RD, OCALA, FL 34474) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER LATER CALLED THE CONTACT AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL WOULD NOT BECOME AVAILABLE UNTIL THE END OF 2020. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT UNTIL THE PART WAS AVAILABLE THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT*JB

NHTSA ID
11320142
Incident
Dec 1, 2019
Airbags
Filed Mar 11, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11317641
Incident
Dec 4, 2019
Airbags
Filed Mar 9, 2020

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

NHTSA ID
11316964
Incident
Dec 23, 2019
Mileage
178,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 26, 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.

NHTSA ID
11311662
Incident
Jan 6, 2020
Airbags
Filed Feb 24, 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.

NHTSA ID
11311067
Incident
Jan 30, 2020
Airbags
Filed Jan 24, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11301664
Incident
Dec 20, 2019
Airbags
Filed Jan 9, 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 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.

NHTSA ID
11298132
Incident
Nov 26, 2019
Airbags
Filed Jan 3, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11296911
Incident
Dec 28, 2019
Airbags
Filed Dec 30, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11292160
Incident
Dec 30, 2019
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 29, 2019

CAR DOES NOT MOVE IN REVERSE (AT). NO PRIOR WARNING SIGNS. FORWARD OPERATION CONTINUES AS GOOD AS EVER.

NHTSA ID
11282946
Incident
Nov 22, 2019
Mileage
110,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 22, 2019
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323I. APPROXIMATELY FOUR HOURS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, FLAMES APPEARED INSIDE THE VEHICLE NEAR THE DRIVER'S SIDE DASHBOARD. THE FLAMES WERE EXTINGUISHED BY THE CONTACT BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED AS OF YET BUT THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE LIGHT CONTROL MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000.

NHTSA ID
11281767
Incident
Oct 30, 2019
Mileage
182,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 28, 2018

MULTIPLE REPORTS ONLINE WITH THE AIRBAG SENSOR GOING OFF. MINE IS ONE OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS FOR MODEL

NHTSA ID
11122921
Incident
May 2, 2018
Electrical
Filed Nov 4, 2017

MY CENTRAL DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK, RESULTING IN NONE OF THE PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT OPEN WHEN LOCKED. SO ALL PASSENGERS ARE TRAPPED IN THE BACK SEAT AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE DRIVER DOOR CAN BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE AND WITH A KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO BMW AND THEY WROTE A REPORT BUT SAID THE 1999 YEAR MODEL WOULD PROBABLY NOT BE COVERED. IN NO WAY SHOULD PASSENGERS NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT AN AUTOMOBILE DURING AN EMERGENCY. I CAN NOT DRIVE THE CAR WITH PASSENGERS. TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM IS ESTIMATED AT $550.00. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IT IS PARKED AND MOTOR ON OR OFF

NHTSA ID
11043311
Incident
Jun 15, 2017
Mileage
235,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 7, 2017

TAKATA RECALL WHILE PULLING OUT OF A STORE ON A SMOOTH SURFACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG JUST EXPLODED WITH MY GRAND DAUGHTER IN THE BACK SEAT IN A CAR SEAT. THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE LIKE MATERIAL. I'VE READ MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS HAPPENING BUT THE DEALER SAYS IT IS NOT A RECALL.

NHTSA ID
10983926
Incident
Mar 29, 2017
Mileage
153,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 1, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA ID
10948795
Incident
May 12, 2014
Mileage
123,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 26, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323I. WHILE INSPECTING THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE NEAR THE MOUNTING OF THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,600.

NHTSA ID
10786159
Incident
Oct 26, 2015
Mileage
180,600 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 9, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH OVER A POTHOLE, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE SIDE DOOR. THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ID
10781143
Incident
Oct 9, 2015
Mileage
105,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 18, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323I. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. UPDATED 11/09/15*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID
10765006
Incident
Jan 5, 2009
Mileage
70,000 mi
Body & structureEngine
Filed Mar 25, 2015
Fire reported

MY 1999 323I CAUGHT FIRE IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH ONCE PARKED.THERE WAS A LOUD "SNAP", FOLLOWED BY LARGE FLAMES COMING FROM AROUND THE HOOD AND FRONT WHEEL WELLS. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED WITHIN 5-7 MINUTES (FORTUNATELY THEY ARE BOTH LOCATED LESS THAN 1 MILE AWAY). ONCE THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT, MY CAR'S FRONT 1/2 WAS MELTED INTO MY PARKING SPACE. IT WAS A COMPLETE LOSS AND I AM EXPECTING THAT MY AUTO INSURANCE WILL PAY VERY LITTLE; REGARDLESS THAT THE CAR WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10701731
Incident
Mar 21, 2015
Mileage
148,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 11, 2014

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

NHTSA ID
10597598
Incident
Jun 9, 2014
Mileage
160,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 16, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE AREA AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONTACT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 229,000.

NHTSA ID
10548081
Incident
Oct 15, 2013
Mileage
229,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 16, 2013

ASC BRAKES SYSTEMS ALONG WITH THE SPEEDOMETER, WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, STOPPED WORKING FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER. ABS IS NOT WORKING AT ALL. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10535677
Incident
Jun 27, 2013

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.

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