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 defective. Why won't bmw recall this to fix the problem. The car is in perfect condition and I cannot afford the $3700 the repair shop wants to fix a defective transmission.
The worst 2001 BMW 323I problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Transmission2
- Electrical1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission2
- Electrical1
Recalls 3
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- 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: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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 frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 20V018000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- 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
Technical service bulletins for the 2001 BMW 323I 4
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- Bmw: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty. rm
- Bmw: a new technical process has been created for bmw to identify causes of steering complaints with a...
- Bmw vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. where it is necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel...
What 2001 BMW 323I owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
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Questions about the 2001 BMW 323I
Is the 2001 BMW 323I reliable?
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2001 BMW 323I, 1.5 times a typical 323I model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 BMW 323I?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 2 complaints. Next is electrical (1).
How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 323I have?
3 recalls, covering air bags.
What year does the BMW 323I have bad transmission?
The BMW 323I model years with the most transmission complaints are 2000 (235 complaints) and 1999 (33 complaints).
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