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1999 BMW 323I airbags problems

45 complaints (33% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 110,000. 6 crashes reported.

owner complaints
45
of this car's complaints
33%
typical mileage
110,000
crashes
6
recalls
6

Which part fails

  • Side/window
    8
  • Frontal
    7
  • Frontal: sensor/control module
    5

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

BMW 323I airbags problems in other years

1998199920002010

Specific symptoms reported on the 1999 BMW 323I airbags

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Airbag light 11

Related recalls

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported May 27, 2021 · 4,511 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 21V401000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported November 26, 2019 · 7,910 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 19V851000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported November 26, 2019 · 34,396 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 19V852000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported November 26, 2019 · 74,185 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 19V853000 · Recall details

Air bags: side/windowReported August 9, 2002 · 20,500 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 02V223000 · Recall details

Air bags: side/windowReported March 26, 1999 · 34,701 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 99V063000 · Recall details

What 1999 BMW 323I owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 17, 2020 · Airbags · NM

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1999 bmw 323i. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v852000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to sandia bmw located at 6001 pan american fwy, albuquerque, nm 87109, where it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed May 26, 2020 · Airbags · 48,973 miles · MA

I received a safety recall notice - remedy unavailable from bmw. The airbag warning light has been activated on the dashboard since december 19, 2019. The notice read that "it is also possible that the airbag housing may explode and could cause metal fragments to pass through the air bag cushion material, striking the driver or other occupants which may result in injury or death." I spoke with bmw customer relations and was told that I could continue to drive the vehicle. I will not drive the vehicle until this problem is remedied nor should I be expected to. It has been more than five months since I received the original notice and there is still no date given for the expected remedy. I believe that bmw should provide me with a replacement vehicle until such time as a remedy is available. Why hasn't a stop driving order been issued by bmw if this problem could result in the death of the driver? What recourse do I have?

Filed May 26, 2020 · Airbags · CA

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1999 bmw 323i. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v852000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called two bmw dealers, including steve thomas bmw (411 daily drive, camarillo, ca 93010), and it was confirmed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Apr 3, 2020 · Airbags · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 bmw 323i. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v851000 (air bags) however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. Bmw of ocala (5145 sw college rd, ocala, fl 34474) was contacted and confirmed that the part were not available for the recall remedy. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer later called the contact and informed the contact that the parts for the recall would not become available until the end of 2020. The contact was also informed that until the part was available the vehicle should not be driven. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.*dt

Filed Mar 11, 2020 · Airbags · AZ

Airbag recall, bmw doesn't have the parts to fix the problem until sept of 2020. In the meantime bmw wants my car off the road until they fix it, which would be unreasonable. Have not offered a rental car until then.

Filed Mar 9, 2020 · Airbags · 178,000 miles · DE

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 bmw 323i. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v852000 (air bags) however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to union park bmw dealer, 1900 pennsylvania ave, wilmington, de 19806, where it was rejected to be serviced due to the part not available for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact part was not available. The failure mileage was 178,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available.*dt

Filed Feb 26, 2020 · Airbags · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 bmw 323i. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v852000 (air bags) however, the parts to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact reached out to daniels bmw (4600 crackersport rd, allentown, pa 18104) however the call went unanswered. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Feb 24, 2020 · Airbags · NJ

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1999 bmw 323i. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v852000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jan 24, 2020 · Airbags · NC

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1999 bmw 323i. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v851000 (air bags) however, the parts to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of this issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jan 9, 2020 · Airbags · TN

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1999 bmw 323i. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v852000 (air bags) however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer bmw of nashville (1568 mallory ln, brentwood, tn 37027 (615) 928-2541) was contacted and confirmed that the remedy part was not available. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the issue which also confirmed parts were not available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Questions about the 1999 BMW 323I airbags

Does the 1999 BMW 323I have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 45 complaints about the airbags of the 1999 BMW 323I, 33% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 1999 BMW 323I airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 110,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1999 BMW 323I airbags?

Yes, 6 recalls: 21V401000, 19V851000, 19V852000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the BMW 323I have bad airbags?

The BMW 323I model years with the most airbags complaints are 2000 (70 complaints) and 1999 (45 complaints).

Other 1999 BMW 323I problems

Transmission 33Body 14Electrical 10Suspension 9Tires 9Locks 8Brakes 6Visibility 6Engine 4Lights 4Seats 4Seat belts 3Steering 3Acceleration 2

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