Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
Ask About This Model
Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
BMW 323i. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the BMW 323i,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 1985–2011 with 33 recall campaigns and 676 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 2000 (7), 1999 (7), and 2001 (3).
Years with the most complaint volume: 2000 (459), 1999 (175), and 1998 (27).
Top recall themes: Airbags, Brakes, and Electrical.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Power train:automatic transmission, Air bags, Power train.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Airbags
9 campaigns · Years: 1999–2011
These campaigns relate to airbag system components and deployment/airbag readiness issues.
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
BMW 323i in NHTSA complaint data are
Power train:automatic transmission, Air bags, Power train.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
2011
2
1
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system.
2010
2
3
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc).
2009
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
2008
2
4
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine.
2007
2
3
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine.
2006
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
2005
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
2004
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
2003
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
2002
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
2001
3
3
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Electrical system:wiring:front underhood.
2000
7
459
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Air bags, Power train.
1999
7
175
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Power train:automatic transmission, Air bags:frontal.
1998
0
27
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Air bags:frontal, Exterior lighting.
1985
0
1
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Air bags
, Electrical system
and Exterior lighting
Show recall evidence by year
2011
Electrical system: Wiring:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and
Air bags: Inflator module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sp
2010
Electrical system: Wiring:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and
Air bags: Inflator module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sp
2009
Electrical system: Wiring:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and
Air bags: Inflator module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sp
2008
Electrical system: Wiring:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and
Air bags: Inflator module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sp
2007
Electrical system: Wiring:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and
Air bags: Inflator module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sp
2006
Electrical system: Wiring:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and
Air bags: Inflator module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sp
2005
Air bags: Inflator module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
2004
Air bags: Inflator module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
2003
Air bags: Inflator module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
2002
Air bags: Inflator module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
2001
Air bags: Inflator module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 ba
Air bags: Inflator module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Air bags: Inflator module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 wit
2000
Exterior lighting: Switch:
Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The brake lamps in these vehicles are controlled by a switch activated by the movement of the brake pedal. This switch could fail internally, causing it to remain either in the "brake lamps off" position or in the "brake lamps on" position.
Air bags: Side/window:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On certain 4-door passenger vehicles, the side air bag system could deploy in certain non-crash impacts, such as when contacting large potholes or curbs at substantial speeds.
Air bags:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-
Air bags: Inflator module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 1999-2000 323i and 328i and 2000 323Ci and 328Ci vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata. These inflators do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing
Air bags: Inflator module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 ba
Air bags: Inflator module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Air bags: Inflator module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 wit
1999
Air bags: Side/window:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On certain 4-door passenger vehicles, the side air bag system could deploy in certain non-crash impacts, such as when contacting large potholes or curbs at substantial speeds.
Air bags: Inflator module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 1999 323i and 328i vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata at one specific inflator production facility. These inflators do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to
Air bags: Inflator module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 1999-2000 323i and 328i and 2000 323Ci and 328Ci vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata. These inflators do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing
Air bags: Inflator module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 ba
Air bags: Inflator module:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 wit
Air bags: Side/window:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles are built with a side air bag system consisting of door-mounted thorax air bags (rear door air bags are optional), a head protection system (hps) for front occupants, a central electronic sensor and diagnostic system, left and right satellit
Service brakes, hydraulic: Pedals and linkages:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. It is possible that the retaining clip that secures the brake booster pushrod to the brake pedal arm was not properly installed during production. It is possible for the clip to detach from the pin on the brake pedal arm allowing the pushrod to disconnect
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This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be
treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
