2000 BMW 323I problems
Owners have filed 459 complaints about the 2000 BMW 323I with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 51.4% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of air bags at 16.8%.
Complaints459
Crashes17
Fires2
Injuries25
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Power train 51.4% · 236
Air bags 16.8% · 77
Structure 5.9% · 27
Visibility 3.7% · 17
Latches/locks/linkages 2.4% · 11
Electrical system 2.2% · 10
Suspension 2.2% · 10
Unknown or other 2.2% · 10
Severity
Of those complaints, 17 describe a crash, 2 describe a fire and 25 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 22 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 92,162 miles.
In owners' own words
The vehicle has a hard time reversing, I can command it to reverse but sometimes nothing happens like it is in neutral, the car is a 2000 and only has 96k miles. This past month I have spoken with BMW about the issue. I let them know I feel it poses a safety risk but they said they cannot help me. Even though it is clearly a mfg. Defect. Just hoping to have an advocate to help me. The car is stationary on a street. Power train · reported at 84,000 miles
I have a 2000 BMW 323I with 132k miles on it. Like everyone else who's reported this issue, my reverse gear suddenly stopped working when I was trying to back out of my parking spot. No dash warning lights or any other audible indicators of failure. It was like the car was in neutral when I tried to go into reverse. Drive works just fine, but I am very disappointed in this sudden failure of the transmission. Power train · reported at 132,000 miles
I own a 2000 BMW 323I and it has a little over 100k miles. The automatic transmission will not go in reverse. I have read reviews all over the internet. There are thousands of people having this same problem. Apparently because BMW produced their 3 serious car with a gm transmission and didn't have the right lasting materials. This should be fraud and BMW should be held liable for this problem. Power train · reported at 107,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…