The 1999 BMW 3 Series has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 4,511 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS21V4010002021-05-274,511 affected
Defect
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…
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.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
2
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1
Total complaints6
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I was driving home at 10:15 pm and the passenger side door mounted and passenger side head protection air bags deployed. I called bmw the following morning to report it and see what I should do. I was told I would get a return call within 1-3 business days. I have left 2 messages and bmw still has…”
“The bmw 323i ( bmw e46 ) fuel tank strap, which holds the fuel tank in place, detached from the car body. This is a strap holding the fuel tank in place. The 4 spot welds that hold the strap to the car body failed. Note, the fuel tank is held in place by this strap. *tr”
“All doors lock on their own and the windows and sunroof close leaving you locked inside the car. *tr”
“(1) in everyday driving, I heard a creaking noise in the rear end of my 1999 bmw 328i. (2) I found that the left rear subframe has started to shear away from the chassis making the car only drivable for only short distances, if at all. (3) I brought it to the dealer to see if they would cover the…”
“I brought the vehicle into brecht dealership in escondido to address seatbelt safety/airbag sensor light warning. The vehicle has been in for repair a total of eight (8) times for the same issue. Today the seatbelt airbag warning devise came on with the loaner provided bydealer with a screen…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 bmw 3 series. While driving, the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer stated that a faulty seat belt clip caused the failure and they made the replacement. Approximately one year later, the air bag warning light illuminated again. The dealer replaced the seat…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA02012 Opened 2002-07-15 · closed 2003-06-24
INADVERTENT SIDE-IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYME
THE SUBJECT VEHICLE'S AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE CONTAINS PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC FOR DEPLOYING THE SIDE-IMPACT AIR BAGS.BMW REVISED THE MODULE SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE SPAN OF THE MODEL YEARS 1999 THROUGH 2002 (IDENTIFIED AS MRS2.CA, MRS2.BB, MRS3, MRS3+ AND MRS4).ALTHOUGH MODEL YEAR 1999.5 VEHICLES WITH VERSION…
InvestigationPE99017 Opened 1999-03-02 · closed 1999-05-11
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
ALLEGED THAT THE DRIVER'S OR FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY WITHOUT A VEHICLE CRASH
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1999 BMW 3 Series as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.