NHTSA vehicle safety data
2001 BMW 323I Recalls & Complaints
The 2001 BMW 323I has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 3 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2001 BMW 323I. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2001 BMW 323I owner complaints
Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 BMW 323I, describing incidents dated June 27, 2001 to April 12, 2009.
Most-cited components
- Power Train 2 complaints
- Electrical System 1 complaint
Of the 3 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 1 a fire; across all 3 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #10265139 · Filed
FOR NO REASON THE REVERSE WENT OUT ON MY 2001 BMW 323I. I TOOK IT INTO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRICAL GLITCH THAT IS OCCURRING IN THOUSANDS OF BMW'S FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN THE STEPTRONIC TRANSMISSION THAT BMW PUT IN THE CARS IN DEFECTIVE…
ODI #10235328 · Filed
2001 BMW 323I DOES NOT GO INTO REVERSE WHEN PLACED INTO REVERSE GEAR. IT HAPPENED SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF WARNING OR NOISE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT IT, SINCE IT WILL COST ME 40% OF THE CARS CURRENT VALUE TO REPAIR THE CAR. *TR
ODI #891547 · Filed
WHILE DRIVING 55 TO 60 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD OF VEHICLE. ALSO, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE AT THE DEALER AWAITING REPAIRS.*AK
Air Bag Inflator May Explode or Underinflate Bag
NHTSA #21V401000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported May 27, 2021 · BMW of North America, LLC
Potentially affected: 4,511 vehicles
Repair completion: 50.83% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified July 12, 2021
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflators May Explode
NHTSA #20V018000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported January 15, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC
Potentially affected: 292,948 vehicles
Repair completion: 42.41% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified February 13, 2020 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Recall group: Takata airbag inflators
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Air Bag Inflators May Rupture or Underinflate Bag
NHTSA #19V853000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported November 26, 2019 · BMW of North America, LLC
Potentially affected: 74,185 vehicles
Repair completion: 12.09% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified November 10, 2020 · Vehicles built May 20, 1999 – July 14, 2000 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result 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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other BMW 323I model years
Check your 2001 BMW 323I VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 323I at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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