Central locking module failed , car will not lock unlock
The worst 1999 BMW 328I problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags37
- Transmission12
- Body11
- Suspension10
- Brakes8
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags37
- Transmission12
- Body11
- Suspension10
- Brakes8
- Electrical7
- Seat belts5
- Tires5
- Acceleration3
- Locks3
- Visibility3
- Lights2
- Driver assistance1
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
- Seats1
- Steering1
- Wheels1
Recalls 7
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: driver side: inflator module
- 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 module
- 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 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
Air bags: side/window
- 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
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If this occurs, braking is not possible.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the clip for tight installation and replace the clip if it is loose.
Recall number 99V100000 · Recall details
Air bags: side/window
- 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
Technical service bulletins for the 1999 BMW 328I 15
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.
- Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal...
- Service action
- Takata air bag recall-related short-term alternate transportation and consequential repairs
- Takata class action settlement
- For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?)...
- For the above-referenced vehicles with passenger?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW...
- In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has...
- Oxygen sensors - readiness code monitor is not set.
- Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles This Service Information bulletin supersedes...
1999 BMW 328I fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8L 6‑cyl | RWD | 17-18 | 25-26 | 20-21 |
What 1999 BMW 328I owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1999 bmw 328i. 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 vehicle was taken to chapman bmw chandler (7455 w orchid ln, chandler, az 85226) where it was confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The vehicle remained in the dealers possession. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1999 bmw 328i. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v852000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. Bmw of rochester (4250 w henrietta rd, rochester, ny 14623, (585)359-7373) was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
On june 11, 2020 my car was delivered to classic bmw in plano, texas for 1999 bmw safety recall 19v‑851 for the takata non-azide driver inflator. They were only supposed to change the igniter, but when I received the car the next day I noticed they replaced the entire airbag assembly. A couple of days later I tried the horn and it did not work and made an appointment to bring the car back for repair. I got the car back on june 25.2020 and was told that a connector was not completely attached. However, the paperwork they gave me stated - "first visit a dual stage airbag was received from parts. Vehicle has a one stage igniter. The harness was different causing horn to be inop." the car was returned with the original airbag (or one that looks just like it) and the horn now works. Everything I have researched online states that these 2 systems (single stage & dual stage airbags) are not compatablie with wiring and computer software and will not function. Had I not checked the horn the car would not have been returned for months until the next inspection and my wife would have been driving without a fuctional airbag. The service advisor told me this that the car was safe that they returned to me on june 12. If that was true, why did they put the original bag back on the car. I understand mistakes happen as bmw changed to the dual system sometime in 1999 but I feel these guys were lying to me trying to cover up their mistake.
I received a notice that the driver's air bag inflator was recalled in january 2020. No remedy is available. I have been waiting and calling bmw and bmw dealerships for 6 months.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1999 bmw 328i. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v851000 (air bags). The contact stated that east bay bmw (located at 4350 rosewood dr, pleasanton, ca 94588) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The part was not available for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 bmw 328i. The contact received a recall notification and of the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v851000 (air bags) however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called daniels bmw dealer, (4600 crackersport rd, allentown, pa 18104) and was informed the part was not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool conforms parts not available.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1999 bmw 328i. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v851000 (air bags) however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the parts were not available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1999 bmw 328i. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v852000 (air bags) however, the parts for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Bmw of las vegas located at 6900 w sahara ave, las vegas, nv 89117, was contacted and it was confirmed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Compare the 1999 BMW 328I
328I vs Audi A4328I vs Mercedes-Benz C300328I vs Cadillac CTS328I vs Lincoln MKZ328I vs Lexus ES350328I vs Acura TLX
Other model years
1996199719981999200020012007200820092010201120122013201420152016
Questions about the 1999 BMW 328I
Is the 1999 BMW 328I reliable?
Owners have filed 98 complaints about the 1999 BMW 328I, fewer than a typical 328I model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 BMW 328I?
Airbags, with 37 complaints, typically around 122,000 miles. Next is transmission (12).
How many recalls does the 1999 BMW 328I have?
7 recalls, covering air bags and service brakes, hydraulic.
Was there a recall on the 1999 BMW 328I 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 328I have bad airbags?
The BMW 328I model years with the most airbags complaints are 2007 (105 complaints), 2011 (91 complaints) and 2008 (83 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1999 BMW 328I get?
Official estimates for the 1999 BMW 328I range from 20 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.8L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 17-18 city and 25-26 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1999 BMW 328I?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history