NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 241 owner complaints for the 1999 BMW 3 Series. Most complaints involve air bags (85) and power train (45). The EPA rates it 20–24 mpg combined.
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 a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
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.
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 issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each 3 Series model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 45 |
| 1997 | 6 |
| 1998 | 56 |
| 1999 | 241 |
| 2000 | 647 |
| 2001 | 457 |
| 2011 | 861 |
| 2012 | 172 |
| 2013 | 344 |
| 2014 | 378 |
| 2015 | 196 |
| 2020 | 110 |
| 2021 | 44 |
| 2022 | 15 |
“1999 BMW 328I. VEHICLE IS REGISTERED AND IS A DAILY DRIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON 05/01/2021 IN THE BOSTON AREA ON A SMOOTH ROAD AT NIGHT, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR & SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. NO ACCIDENT, NO POTHOLES, NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY, JUST DRIVING AND THEN AN EXPLOSION FROM AIRBAGS AND THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO IMMOBILIZED AT THE BATTERY.”
“" BMW [XXX] [NO-REVERSE] TRANSMISSION"-HELLO, I'M A 17 MALE STUDENT WHO WORKS A PART TIME JOB, EVER SINCE I WAS A KID I HAVE DREAMED ON HAVING A BMW FOR MY FIRST CAR,AND DO I SAVED MY MONEY SINCE I WAS 5 YEARS OLD. I BOUGHT MY CAR IN MAY AND WAS EXTREMELY HAPPY! BUT JUST THE OTHER DAY I WAS STUCK AT SCHOOL BECAUSE MY CAR WON'T REVERSE? ALSO LAST WEEK THERE WAS A ROAD BLOCK BY THE POLICE AND SO I HAD TO REVERSE TO GO BACK BUT OF COURSE MY LUCK,THE REVERSE ISSUE STARTED TO HAPPEN IN THAT SITUATION, HAD TO GET A TOWING TRUCK TO HELP ME OUT.. EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED AND SO I CALLED A COUPLE OF MECHANICS AND BMW AND THE COST ON FIXING THIS ISSUE COST AS MUCH.AS THE CAR!! AND I AM ONLY 17 WITH NOT SO MUCH MONEY DUE TO SPENDING IT ON "THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE".. LOOK AT THIS SITE "HTTP://WWW.NOREVERSE.ORG/COMPLAINTS_2009Q3.HTML" MANY PEOPLE ARE DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE I DON'T THINK I HAVE TO PAY $5000 ON A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION IF I WASN'T WARNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE BY BMW! THE CAR WAS NOT EVEN WORTH THAT MUCH AND AGAIN I'M ONLY 17 AND WORK A PART TIMED JOB.. THIS IS MY ONLY RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION, I AM AFRAID ON FUTURE ACCIDENTS AND PROBLEMS IF I DON'T FIX THIS…”
“THE WELDS SECURING THE PASSENGER SIDE FUEL STRAP BRACKET TO THE BODY FAILED WHILE DRIVING AROUND 45MPH ON A SMOOTH ROAD. I NOTICED A METAL SCRAPING NOISE AND PULLED OVER. THE BRACKET WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE STRAP AND WAS DRAGGING ON THE GROUND UNTIL I TOOK IT OFF. THE FAILURE HAPPENED DURING COMPLETELY SAFE CONDITIONS, WITH NO WARNING SIGNS OF FAILURE. INSPECTION OF THE BRACKET AND AREA OF THE FRAME SUGGESTS THAT THE TACK WELDS WERE DEFECTIVE. IF THE FAILURE HAD HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR ON A ROUGH SURFACE, IT COULD WELL HAVE CAUSED A BLOWOUT OF THE REAR TIRE AND POSSIBLY DROPPING THE GAS TANK. THIS DEFECT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. A QUICK SEARCH TURNS UP DOZENS OF ACCOUNTS OF THE EXACT FAILURE FOR THIS MODEL.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 318ti Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 30 | 24 | $2,700 | 370 |
| 318ti Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| 323i Convertible Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 28 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| 323is Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 28 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| 323i Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| 328i Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| 328i Convertible Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| 323i Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| 323i Convertible Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| 323is Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| 328i Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| 328i Convertible Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
7 safety recalls as of Nov 4, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 241 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (85), power train (45), structure (26). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1999 BMW 3 Series at 20–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).