NHTSA vehicle safety data

2000 BMW 325CI Recalls & Complaints

The 2000 BMW 325CI has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 6 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 2000 BMW 325CI. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2000 BMW 325CI owner complaints

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 BMW 325CI, describing incidents dated May 1, 2018 to November 14, 2024.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 2 complaints
Electrical System 2 complaints
Unknown or Other 2 complaints
Engine 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint

Of the 6 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11638973 · Filed January 27, 2025
Dash started smoking as soon as I turned rhe lights on, I exited the freeway and pulled into a neighborhood, parked on a corner turn the engine off and disconnected the battery, the smoke continued, within second the fire started, I poured 4 bottles of water with no luck, before I could ask the…
ODI #11532696 · Filed July 17, 2023
Fuel tank bracket on the Passenger side sheared off causing the strap supporting the tank to fall off and hit the ground resulting in sparking from the free end. Safety risk to occupants due to fuel tank hanging close to ground and sparking in close proximity. I inspected and determined car is…
ODI #11522187 · Filed May 16, 2023
I took my vehicle to a BMW authorized service dealer for the repair of the "AirBag Recall" notice I received in the mail. The dealer did the recall repair and about a week later the light came back on and has remained on. After that happened my electric started acting up and also I was not able to…

Read all 6 complaints

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

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a BMW dealer immediately.

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 – June 2, 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.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2000 BMW 325CI. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

6 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2000 BMW 325CI.

Electrical System

ODI #11638973

Fire

Incident: November 14, 2024 · Filed: January 27, 2025

Dash started smoking as soon as I turned rhe lights on, I exited the freeway and pulled into a neighborhood, parked on a corner turn the engine off and disconnected the battery, the smoke continued, within second the fire started, I poured 4 bottles of water with no luck, before I could ask the homes residents to hand me the garden hose, the fire spread, the sprayed and it just kept coming back, fire dept, cut the dash with an are and sprayed it, finally it was out

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11532696

Incident: July 14, 2023 · Filed: July 17, 2023

Fuel tank bracket on the Passenger side sheared off causing the strap supporting the tank to fall off and hit the ground resulting in sparking from the free end. Safety risk to occupants due to fuel tank hanging close to ground and sparking in close proximity. I inspected and determined car is unsafe to drive. No replacement parts available for repair as brackets are spot weld at manufacturer. Several bmw car owners have experienced the same issue on the same side and some have performed risky self fabricated solutions. This is a fire concern and a flawed BMW design that needs proper correction before fatalities occur.

Electrical System; Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11522187

Incident: May 1, 2018 · Filed: May 16, 2023

I took my vehicle to a BMW authorized service dealer for the repair of the "AirBag Recall" notice I received in the mail. The dealer did the recall repair and about a week later the light came back on and has remained on. After that happened my electric started acting up and also I was not able to get my convertible roof to go up or down ever again. I politely contacted the dealership, (and not wanting to bad mouth them) it apparently fell on deaf ears followed by what I felt was an accusation and insult on my ignorance of being an older woman and that it was impossible,that maybe I did something to it. I didn't want to issue a complaint because they ARE a reputable operation plus I'm retired, on limited income and didn't know how to get this resolved. I welcome any help you may want to offer or any direction in regards to this. Thank you in advance for taking time to read this, as I may be way of base by submitting this here. Ps. The convertible top worked perfect as well as my electrical prior to bringing in my vehicle for the recall, to be clear, it was that same afternoon/early eve. when I left the dealership that my electrical and dash lights went crazy and I couldn't use my convertible roof anymore. The airbag light came on about a week later and has stayed on ever since, for about 5 or 6 years now and still hasn't gone off

Power Train

ODI #11389076

Incident: October 14, 2020 · Filed: January 20, 2021

WENT TOGO TO WORK AND TRIED TO BACK CAR OUR OF DRIVEWAY AND NO REVERSE. NOTHING. SEE THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 3 SERIES. 112XXX ON MY BMW

Unknown or Other; Engine

ODI #11319841

Incident: March 23, 2020 · Filed: March 31, 2020

NO TIENE FUERSA PARA GAS ,MUY DESPASIO Y TIENE PROBLEM AS CON EL ENGI LIGHT ON

Air Bags

ODI #11289251

Incident: December 2, 2019 · Filed: December 16, 2019

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V853000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. DEALER FIELDS BMW SOUTH ORLANDO (9750 S ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL, ORLANDO, FL 32837) CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Other BMW 325CI model years

Check your 2000 BMW 325CI VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 325CI at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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