- The problem
- 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 fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2001 BMW 323I Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2001 BMW 323I with NHTSA, most often about the transmission & drivetrain (2) and the electrical system (1). Those complaints describe 1 crash, 1 fire and 2 injuries. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in May 2021 for the inflator module. For comparison, the 2000 has 401 and the 2002 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical 323I year, for its age
#300 most complained-about 2001 vehicle
- Complaints
- 3
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 2
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2001 BMW 323I problems
Share of all 3 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2001 BMW 323I recalls 3
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
Do not drive
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
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3 complaints about the 2001 BMW 323I
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
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. Why won't bmw recall this to fix the problem. The car is in perfect condition and I cannot afford the $3700 the repair shop wants to fix a defective transmission. *Tr
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
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
BMW 323I: every year compared
All 323I years2001 BMW 323I vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 BMW 323I | 3 | 3 | F | |
| 2001 BMW 325I | 150 | 7 | F | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 325CI | 49 | 6 | F | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 3 Series | 36 | 1 | B | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 325 | 31 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 325XI | 14 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 320 | 10 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 325IX | 7 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 318 | 6 | 0 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2001 BMW 323I
Does the 2001 BMW 323I have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2001 BMW 323I: inflator module (May 2021); inflator module (January 2020); inflator module (November 2019). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 BMW 323I?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the transmission & drivetrain (2), electrical system (1).
How many complaints has the 2001 BMW 323I had?
3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on June 28, 2001 and the latest on April 13, 2009. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 2 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2001 BMW 323I a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 14 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical BMW 323I year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which BMW 323I years have the most complaints?
2000 (401), 1999 (136), 1998 (16). See every BMW 323I year compared.
What should I do if my 2001 BMW 323I has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data