VehicleVerdict

1999 BMW 328i problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1999 BMW 328i sits mid-pack among 328i years: 125 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 125, with 7 recalls and no defect investigations.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 42 reports (34% of the total).

125

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

16

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other 328i years?

328i NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted797 complaints1996: 36 complaints1997: 29 complaints1998: 34 complaints1999: 125 complaints2000: 146 complaints2001: 5 complaints2002: 0 complaints2003: 0 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 571 complaints2008: 375 complaints2009: 297 complaints2010: 229 complaints2011: 797 complaints2012: 196 complaints2013: 389 complaints2014: 235 complaints2015: 197 complaints2016: 95 complaints
328i NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 328i years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 BMW 328i problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags4234%
Transmission1310%
Body & Structure119%
Tires & Wheels108%
Suspension108%
Electrical System97%
Brakes97%
Seat Belts54%
Latches & Locks32%
Visibility & Wipers32%
Speed Control32%
Lighting22%
Other11%
Steering11%
Fuel System11%
Engine11%
Seats11%

Does the 1999 BMW 328i have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V401000AirbagsMay 27, 2021 · 4,511 units

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 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.

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.

19V851000AirbagsNovember 26, 2019 · 7,910 units

Defect

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.

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

Dealers will inspect the driver air bag inflators and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: BMW recommends that owners do not continue to drive their vehicles.

19V852000AirbagsNovember 26, 2019 · 34,396 units

Defect

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.

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 will mail interim notices informing owners of the safety risk on January 17, 2020. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Dealers will inspect the driver air bag inflators and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. BMW mailed interim notices informing owners of the safety risk on January 17, 2020. The recall began July 27, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

19V853000AirbagsNovember 26, 2019 · 74,185 units

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 vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

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.

02V223000AirbagsAugust 9, 2002 · 20,500 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE SIDE AIR BAG AND HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM TO DEPLOY WITHOUT AN ACTUAL SIDE CRASH OR IMPACT SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE SIGNIFICANT VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAG COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF THE OCCUPANT'S HEAD IS RESTING NEAR THE SIDE AIR BAG.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE CENTRAL AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH A NON-CRASH DEPLOYMENT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 25, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

99V100000BrakesMay 3, 1999 · 31,067 units

Defect

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 FROM THE ARM.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, BRAKING IS NOT POSSIBLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLIP FOR TIGHT INSTALLATION AND REPLACE THE CLIP IF IT IS LOOSE.

99V063000AirbagsMarch 26, 1999 · 34,701 units

Defect

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 SATELLITE IMPACT SENSORS, AND ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS SYSTEM IS UNDULY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS, SUCH AS CONTACTING LARGE POTHOLES OR CURBS AT SUBSTANTIAL SPEED.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE SIDE AIR BAG AND HPS TO DEPLOY WITHOUT AN ACTUAL SIDE CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL (BST) WOULD ALSO ACTIVATE, DISCONNECTING THE STARTER CABLE FROM THE BATTERY. IN THIS CASE, VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE AND THE ENGINE WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN, BUT AFTER STOPPING, COULD NOT BE RESTARTED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE CENTRAL COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE THAT REGULATES THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL OF THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEMS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH ANOTHER DRIVER TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40 MPH RAN A RED LIGHT. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT HEAD-ON, ON DRIVER'S SIDE. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF FRONTAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK THE VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB AND SNAPPED A TREE AT ITS ASE YET THE AIR BAGS STILL DID NOT DEPLOY, THE ENGINE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 14, 2000 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR IN DRIVE, BUT THE VEHICLE WENT BACKWARDS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $1,300. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000 AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 26, 2007

“THE SUBFRAME RIPPED OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE REAR TIRES SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, AND ONLY WERE ATTACHED BY THE SHOCKS AND REAR AXLE. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE FACTORY DIDN'T REINFORCE THE UNIBODY TO THE SUBFRAME,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 8, 2004

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT DOWNSHIFTED AND HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BUSHING HAD SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · January 6, 2017

“SEVEN MONTHS FROM THE PURCHASE DATE OF THE CAR, THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL FLAT TIRES ALL OF WHICH WERE TAKEN TO A FIRESTONE DEALER AND REPAIRED, CONSUMER HAS ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM MAY NOT BE JUST THE TIRES MAY ALSO BE THE WHEELS THAT DO NOT WORK WITH THE TIRES. *JG *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 26, 1999

1999 BMW 328i — common questions

Is the 1999 BMW 328i reliable?

It is close to typical for the 328i: 125 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 1999 328i problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (42 complaints), transmission (13 complaints), body & structure (11 complaints).

Does the 1999 BMW 328i have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 BMW 328i. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which BMW 328i years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 328i years to avoid are 2011, 2007, 2013, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2010, 2015, 2012, 2016. The cleanest record among 328i years belongs to 2006.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.