1999 BMW 323I — Owner-Reported Problems

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Component Problem Distribution

Share of owner complaints filed for each vehicle system (unaffected by sales volume)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER is an NHTSA classification artifact and is always listed last.

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Problem & Recall Timeline

Observed complaint volume and manufacturer recall actions over time

• Campaign 02V223000 was reported 1,047 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
• Campaign 19V851000 was reported 7,365 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
• Campaign 19V852000 was reported 7,365 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
• Campaign 19V853000 was reported 7,365 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
• Campaign 21V401000 was reported 7,913 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.

Safety Recalls (7)

Official safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA

1. Manufacturer action

   Recall campaign 02V223000

   Report date

   Aug 9, 2002

   Component:

   AIR BAGS

   Consequence:

   THIS COULD CAUSE THE SIDE AIR BAG AND HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM TO DEPLOY WITHOUT AN ACTUAL SIDE CRASH OR IMPACT SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE SIGNIFICANT VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAG COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF THE OCCUPANT'S HEAD IS RESTING NEAR THE SIDE AIR BAG.

   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.

   View authoritative NHTSA record →

2. Manufacturer action

   Recall campaign 19V851000

   Report date

   Nov 26, 2019

   Component:

   AIR BAGS

   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.

   Remedy:

   Dealers will inspect the driver air bag inflators and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: BMW recommends that owners do not continue to drive their vehicles.

   View authoritative NHTSA record →

3. Manufacturer action

   Recall campaign 19V852000

   Report date

   Nov 26, 2019

   Component:

   AIR BAGS

   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.

   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.

   View authoritative NHTSA record →

4. Manufacturer action

   Recall campaign 19V853000

   Report date

   Nov 26, 2019

   Component:

   AIR BAGS

   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.

   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.

   View authoritative NHTSA record →

5. Manufacturer action

   Recall campaign 21V401000

   Report date

   May 27, 2021

   Component:

   AIR BAGS

   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.

   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.

   View authoritative NHTSA record →

6. Manufacturer action

   Recall campaign 99V063000

   Report date

   Mar 26, 1999

   Component:

   AIR BAGS

   Consequence:

   THIS COULD CAUSE THE SIDE AIR BAG AND HPS TO DEPLOY WITHOUT AN ACTUAL SIDE CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL (BST) WOULD ALSO ACTIVATE, DISCONNECTING THE STARTER CABLE FROM THE BATTERY. IN THIS CASE, VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE AND THE ENGINE WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN, BUT AFTER STOPPING, COULD NOT BE RESTARTED.

   Remedy:

   DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE CENTRAL COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE THAT REGULATES THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL OF THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEMS.

   View authoritative NHTSA record →

7. Manufacturer action

   Recall campaign 99V100000

   Report date

   May 3, 1999

   Component:

   SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

   Consequence:

   IF THIS OCCURS, BRAKING IS NOT POSSIBLE.

   Remedy:

   DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLIP FOR TIGHT INSTALLATION AND REPLACE THE CLIP IF IT IS LOOSE.

   View authoritative NHTSA record →