1999 BMW 3 SERIES — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
6
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
7
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 1999 BMW 3 SERIES
The 1999 BMW 3 SERIES has received a total of 6 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 7 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (2 complaints), Air Bagssidewindow (1 complaint), and Electrical System (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 1999 BMW 3 SERIES
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 1999 BMW 3 SERIES, potentially affecting up to 4,511 vehicles.
Recall 21V401000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 4,511 vehicles affected
Defect: 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,...
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1999 BMW 3 SERIES
6 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 BMW 3 SERIES. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagssidewindow | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structureframe And Members | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
I WAS DRIVING HOME AT 10:15 PM AND THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR MOUNTED AND PASSENGER SIDE HEAD PROTECTION AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I CALLED BMW THE FOLLOWING MORNING TO REPORT IT AND SEE WHAT I SHOULD DO. I WAS TOLD I WOULD GET A RETURN CALL WITHIN 1-3 BUSINESS DAYS. I HAVE LEFT 2 MESSAGES AND BMW STILL HAS NOT CALLED ME BACK. *TR
THE BMW 323I ( BMW E46 ) FUEL TANK STRAP, WHICH HOLDS THE FUEL TANK IN PLACE, DETACHED FROM THE CAR BODY. THIS IS A STRAP HOLDING THE FUEL TANK IN PLACE. THE 4 SPOT WELDS THAT HOLD THE STRAP TO THE CAR BODY FAILED. NOTE, THE FUEL TANK IS HELD IN PLACE BY THIS STRAP. *TR
I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO BRECHT DEALERSHIP IN ESCONDIDO TO ADDRESS SEATBELT SAFETY/AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR A TOTAL OF EIGHT (8) TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE. TODAY THE SEATBELT AIRBAG WARNING DEVISE CAME ON WITH THE LOANER PROVIDED BYDEALER WITH A SCREEN STATEMENT: WARNING DANGER KEEP YOUR SEATBELT ON AND RETURN TO SHOP FOR REPAIR. THIS IS A 20014 VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS ENTIRE ISSUE OF SEATBELT AIRBAG SAFETY IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND WARRANTS FULL INVESTIGATION BEFORE A GRANDCHILD SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS KILLED FROM AN AIRBAG IMPROPERLY EJECTING OR EVEN WORSE NOTHING NO AIRBAG OR SEAT BELT PROTECTION IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
ALL DOORS LOCK ON THEIR OWN AND THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF CLOSE LEAVING YOU LOCKED INSIDE THE CAR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 3 SERIES. WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT A FAULTY SEAT BELT CLIP CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT BELT CLIP ONCE MORE. ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CABLE CONNECTOR AND STRAP, A SHRINK TUBE, AND THE LOWER BELT. FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE AIR BAG WARNING ILLUMINATED FOR THE FOURTH TIME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AIR BAG HAD FAILED. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS BE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT HAS NOT BEEN MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,916 UPDATED 0310/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER HAD A RECALL NOTICE WHICH ADDRESSES AN AIR BAG ISSUE.
Safety Rating for the 1999 BMW 3 SERIES
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1999 BMW 3 SERIES in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1999 BMW 3 SERIES
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 7 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1999 BMW 3 SERIES. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
B63-03-12 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
BMW: THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR LIGHT IN THE SIDE PANEL HAS CONDENSATION CONCERNING VEHICLES PRODUCED UP TO FEBRUARY 27,2012. *JS
SI B12 01 08 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
N52 EDK THROTTLE JAMMING FAULTS 2D09, 2CED AND 2CEC. MODEL E90 AND E91 (3 SERIES) AND E60 AND E61 (5 SERIES), ALL MODELS UP TO 11/2005 WITH N52 ENGINE. *PE
SIB-22-01-07 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BMW VEHICLE: NOISE FROM FRONT AXLE/RIGHT SIDE. A GRINDING OR SCRAPING NOISE MAY BE HEARD WHILE CORNERING AT VEHICLE SPEEDS UP TO 30 MPH. THE NOISE IS MORE PRONOUNCED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN THE WARM UP PHASE AND MAY CHANGE INTENSITY DURING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS. THE RIGHT SIDE...
SIB-22-01-07 — STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
BMW VEHICLE: NOISE FROM FRONT AXLE/RIGHT SIDE. A GRINDING OR SCRAPING NOISE MAY BE HEARD WHILE CORNERING AT VEHICLE SPEEDS UP TO 30 MPH. THE NOISE IS MORE PRONOUNCED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN THE WARM UP PHASE AND MAY CHANGE INTENSITY DURING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS. THE RIGHT SIDE...
110898 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SUBJECT ON THE BMW SYNTHETIC ENGINE OIL. *MJS BMW ENGINE OILS. *TS
840399 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
THIS SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN MENTIONS THAT THE BMW MONOCHROME ACCESSORY NAVIGATION SYSTEM IS FINALLY IN STOCK. *TT
02 12 98 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SUBJECT REGARDING HIGH PERFORMANCE SYNTHETIC OIL. *YC
NHTSA Investigations for the 1999 BMW 3 SERIES
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 1999 BMW 3 SERIES.
Other Model Years of the BMW 3 SERIES
- 1994 BMW 3 SERIES — 1 complaint
- 1995 BMW 3 SERIES — 3 complaints
- 1996 BMW 3 SERIES — 3 complaints
- 1997 BMW 3 SERIES — 6 complaints
- 1998 BMW 3 SERIES — 4 complaints
- 1999 BMW 3 SERIES (current)
- 2000 BMW 3 SERIES — 111 complaints
- 2001 BMW 3 SERIES — 49 complaints
- 2002 BMW 3 SERIES — 40 complaints
- 2003 BMW 3 SERIES — 95 complaints
- 2004 BMW 3 SERIES — 93 complaints