RecallRepo

2001 BMW 323i Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2001 BMW 323i has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 371,644 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

AIR BAGS 21V401000 2021-05-27 4,511 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.

AIR BAGS 20V018000 2020-01-15 292,948 affected
Defect

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…

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

AIR BAGS 19V853000 2019-11-26 74,185 affected
Defect

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…

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.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2
1crashes2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1
1fires
Total complaints3

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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…”

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · reported 2009-04-12

“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”

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · reported 2008-04-01

“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”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD · reported 2001-06-27
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2001 BMW 323i as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.