Most common 2000 BMW 328ci problems
Share of the 15 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 328ci complaints by model year
2000 BMW 328ci recalls (4)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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…
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
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.
What 2000 BMW 328ci owners say
Body & structure
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 BMW 328ci. The contact stated that there was a crack in the lower sub panel of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to competition BMW of smithtown (599 middle country rd, st james, ny 11780, [phone]) where a failure in the rear driver side floor mounts was discovered. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 9/24/18
Subframe crack!! On October 24, 2006, [redacted] filed a class action complaint against BMW of north America, alleging that 1999-2006 BMW 3 series vehicles suffer from defective sub-frames. According to the complaint, the constant loading and unloading associated with normal driving can weaken the sub-frame to the point where it cracks and separates from the chassis, resulting in thousands of dollars of damage to the vehicle. The complaint alleges that BMW was aware of the alleged sub-frame defect, but failed to notify consumers or pay for sub-frame repairs under warranty. On March 3, 2009, hon. Judge [redacted] granted preliminary approval of a proposed class settlement, under which BMW will reimburse e46 owners or lessees in full for their sub-frame repair expenses. As part of the settlement, BMW has also agreed to implement a national sub-frame inspection and repair program. …
Suspension
Subframe crack!! On October 24, 2006, [redacted] filed a class action complaint against BMW of north America, alleging that 1999-2006 BMW 3 series vehicles suffer from defective sub-frames. According to the complaint, the constant loading and unloading associated with normal driving can weaken the sub-frame to the point where it cracks and separates from the chassis, resulting in thousands of dollars of damage to the vehicle. The complaint alleges that BMW was aware of the alleged sub-frame defect, but failed to notify consumers or pay for sub-frame repairs under warranty. On March 3, 2009, hon. Judge [redacted] granted preliminary approval of a proposed class settlement, under which BMW will reimburse e46 owners or lessees in full for their sub-frame repair expenses. As part of the settlement, BMW has also agreed to implement a national sub-frame inspection and repair program. …
I own a 2000 BMW 328 ci. It also has had a rear end sub frame failure that they have been found at fault for by the state of ca in a lawsuit dated in 2006. I brought my car to their attention and they admitted thier failed design, and because someone had to tried to repair it before they sold it to me, of course without informing me about, they refused to do warranty work on it, because a feeble attempt at reinforcing a failed sub frame mount. Fast forward to now, they offered me 2000 dollars on a 6100 dollar repair because they have admitted fault. Now they re-nagged their offer, because rather than doing it their way, I had the mounts upgraded with better steel and mounts rather than use their failed design. They continue to tell me they are doing me a favor, when it is their failed design in the first place, which they admit to. …
Transmission & drivetrain
I own a 2000 BMW 328 ci. It also has had a rear end sub frame failure that they have been found at fault for by the state of ca in a lawsuit dated in 2006. I brought my car to their attention and they admitted thier failed design, and because someone had to tried to repair it before they sold it to me, of course without informing me about, they refused to do warranty work on it, because a feeble attempt at reinforcing a failed sub frame mount. Fast forward to now, they offered me 2000 dollars on a 6100 dollar repair because they have admitted fault. Now they re-nagged their offer, because rather than doing it their way, I had the mounts upgraded with better steel and mounts rather than use their failed design. They continue to tell me they are doing me a favor, when it is their failed design in the first place, which they admit to. …
The rear subframe assembly tore off at the left rear differential/axle mount points, rendering the car unsafe to drive. BMW of north scottsdale (scottsdale, az) inspected the damage and verified that the car was unsafe to drive. The failure occurred on a smooth highway. Inspections by BMW of north scottsdale, penske automotive collision, and Mercury auto insurance agents found no evidence of impact. The consensus of expert opinion is that the failure was due to metal fatigue, and that this is a major safety issue with BMW e46 3 series automobiles. The inevitable subframe failure in these cars, in many instances having occurred at low odometer mileage, has the potential to cause a major accident and consequent loss of life. I was totally unaware of this safety issue in my car before the failure occurred, because BMW has never issued a recall campaign for inspection and repair.
2000 BMW 328ci engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 25 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2000 BMW 328ci a good car?
There isn't enough complaint history for the 328ci to compare model years reliably. So far owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 BMW 328ci?
The body & structure — 9 complaints, 60% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the suspension (7) and transmission & drivetrain (5).
How many recalls does the 2000 BMW 328ci have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2000 BMW 328ci, the most recent from May 27, 2021 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do 2000 BMW 328ci problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 135,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.