Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 BMW 3 Series owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I recently found out that my subframe on my 2000 BMW 328ci was cracking . This was a problem that BMW has not fixed prior to the release of this vehicle. The previous e36 model has been a victim of this malfunction. I was browsing websites regarding my dilemma and I found that 40+ vehicles have had this subframe issue. This is one website (many more) and here is the link... Http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=195602&page=21&pp=20&highlight=subframe there are numerous amounts of other websites where this problem will be mentioned. Also, there is a repair kit that www.turnermotorsports.com makes for this car because it is an occurring problem. Here is the link.... Http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?product_id=tdr4675412 bimmer magazine also has a section informing consumers about the e46 and the subframe problem. It is in this months issue. …
I took my year 2000, BMW 328ci in to replace a rear differential bushing. The mechanic discovered frame damage where the driver-side rear differential bushing attaches to the car body/frame. The mechanic suggested I call my insurance agent to see if this was covered. The insurance company sent an investigator who informed me over the phone & email (including photo attachments) that the damage could not be caused by any collision and was not covered by my insurance policy. The agent stated that this was a BMW issue. He also sent a link of a video of another BMW 3 Series with similar problem showing metal fatigue http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8362789948066992482# . I sent photos of the damage to another mechanic who specializes in BMW repair. He said it was not something seen everyday but something BMW knows about based on what he has read. …
A horrible creaking noise starting developing in the rear of my 2000 BMW 323ci (with 82000 miles) while driving. The noise has gotten worse with time, and after a thorough search online on the www.e46fanatics.com forum website, I found many other owners of vehicles with the same chassis experencing the same problem. Further searching lead to a common problem that has been linked to the failure of the driver side rear subframe. This section of the chassis fails under prolonged stress and a crack in the chassis of the vehicle develops, exposing a bare component of the rear suspension and ultimately damaging the suspension system, causing the vehicle to be unsafe to drive. The problem is not recognized by BMW of north America, however the problem is recently beginning to surface among many late model BMW cars owners as this part seems to fail after an extended period of time. …
The fuel tank support strap bracket on my 2000 BMW 323ci coupe snapped off without warning. It happened while driving, I noticed a loud metallic grinding sound coming from underneath the car. I stopped, and noticed an 18 inch metal strap being dragged along the ground, still attached at one end (rear end) of the fuel tank. The front side of the strap had disconnected from the car and the fuel tank on the passenger side had dropped several inches, and was 'dangling' to some extent - it bounced up and down when pushed. The weld that broke was holding the front side of the fuel tank support strap, on the passenger side of the car. It appears that a small amount of metal had torn out of the frame that the bracket was attached to. The car is currently being repaired by a mechanic. …
Noticed squeaking sounds from the back of the car. Took it to the BMW dealer and they told me that the subframe was seprated from the body where the shock absorbers are attached. If you look underneath the care you see a large cracked in the chassis. They quoted 4K to fix the problem. I started looking on the web for the problem and found many incident of this issue. Got a hold of an engineer inside BMW and basically BMW knew about this problem and decided not to fix it. This is more frequently observed in more powerfull engine. The torque of the engine is causing the sheetmetal of the body to be stressed and eventually crack. I have been contacting the BMW for two weeks and they are very uncooperative. This a design flaw and they should recall it and fix it. This is a serious problem, the back of the car could essentially fall off and cause an accident. …
I have a 2000 BMW 323 ci convertible and have problems with the remote trunk release. Neither the key fob nor the release button function; the only way to get into the trunk is with the key in the lock. I did some online research learned two things. 1. This is a very common problem. (type 'BMW trunk release problem' into a search engine to see the extent.) while the problems I have are merely annoying, it is not hard to imagine them being far worse. 2. The problem is in the harness where the wiring goes from the body to the trunk lid. This link is contains several pictures of exactly what I found when I pulled my harness back: http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=248956. In my case, there are three completely broken wires, one that is hanging on by a few strands, and about 4 more where the insulation is at least partially cracked. …
I experienced a typical problem with my 2000 BMW 323ci , as the subframe began to tear after only 57000 miles of use. After some complaining, I was able to get BMW to "goodwill" the repairs. But as soon as I picked up the car after the repairs were completed, the emergency brake parking light began to malfunction. It would come on when the brake was released etc. A couple weeks later the traction control light began to do the same thing. I didn't think too much of it, but now about 9 months later I have experienced severe electrical problems. First all the power stopped working, the headlights blinked, A/C and windows stopped working, power locks no longer worked. Then it somehow fixed itself. But a couple weeks after, something else happened and now I cannot even start my car. Again, it appears to be some sort of power problem, perhaps something draining the battery.
The left rear subframe mount torn away from the vehicle unibody/frame mounting location. The rear body metal fatigue was caused from loading and unloading of the drive train due to an engineering design defect. This occurred under normal driving conditions and is a known defect by BMW. A class action law suit required BMW to fix the problem from 2009 to 2010, but there are still many vehicles on the road that have not been repaired or the metal fatigue showed up after the 2010 deadline for repair. This is a major defect making the vehicle unsafe to drive because the rear axle can separate from the vehicle. This should be a vehicle recall and all BMW e46 3 Series should have the rear subframe mounting points repaired and reinforced by BMW at no cost.
I own a 2000 BMW 323ci with just over 80K on it and my rear subframe mounts have ripped through the bottom of the car and the whole rear of the car is about to fall off. After some searching I found around 200 fellow 3 Series owners who are in the same boat almost all of which are 99 and 2000 models. Bmwna insist this is not a defect but do to aggressive driving or suspenion modes none of which apply to me or the many others who are having the same problem. Its not just about the estimated 3 to 7 thousand dollar repair bill it needs to be addressed mainly for the people on the road endangering themselves and everyone else and the don't even have a clue because the only symptom is s slight rattle one which the average driver wouldn't even notice.
Experienced tearing in the sheet metal located above the rear differential carrier. The sheet metal had been fatigued from carriers movement under load (acceleration/deceleration). The service manager (on behalf of BMW na) states that the damage was a result of "hitting a large pothole". It should be noted that no other suspension components were damaged and everything on the car is factory original. No modifications whatsoever and no repairs until that point. The car has been repaired and the area in question has been reinforced to prevent future subframe failures. This is not acceptable for a car manufacturer to pass blame for a design defect onto their customers. Obviously, they have lost any future sales from me.
Body complaints in other 3 Series years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2000 BMW 3 Series?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the body & structure of the 2000 BMW 3 Series, 34% of the model year's 88 complaints. The component named most often is frame and members (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 BMW 3 Series body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2000 BMW 3 Series, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 BMW 3 Series body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 94,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.