1999 BMW 3 Series
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 91 of 247 complaints (37%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Suspension, Wheels & Tires include more deaths (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 77 in 1998 to 247 in 1999.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | vs. 1999 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,250–4,100 | 2,600–3,300 | 2,600–3,100 | 3,700–4,300 | 3,700–4,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–24 | 19–24 | 20–24 | 18–21 | 18–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–20 / 24–29 | 16–20 / 24–29 | 17–20 / 25–30 | 16–18 / 22–26 | 16–18 / 23–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 370–468 | 370–468 | 370–444 | 423–494 | 423–494 | |
| Complaints filed | 51 | 77 | 247 | 692 | 530 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 10 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 6 | 15 | 22 | 22 | 21 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 10 | 9 | 32 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 13 | 18 | 30 | 43 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1999 BMW 3 Series have?
7 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1999 BMW 3 Series?
Airbags & Restraints: 91 of 247 NHTSA complaints (37%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1999 BMW 3 Series get?
EPA rates it 20–24 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1999 BMW 3 Series?
EPA estimates $2,600–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (14)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minicompact Cars | 17 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minicompact Cars | 18 mpg | 28 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minicompact Cars | 18 mpg | 25 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minicompact Cars | 18 mpg | 27 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 17 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 18 mpg | 28 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 18 mpg | 25 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 18 mpg | 27 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 29 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 10 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 11 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 17 mpg (low) | 26 mpg | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 13 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 17 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
Show 2 more configurations
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 12 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 14 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 46 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 19 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 16 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 33 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 91 | 13 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 44 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (7)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 21V401000 · May 28, 2021
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, 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.
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 19V851000 · Dec 2, 2019
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 19V853000 · Dec 2, 2019
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 19V852000 · Dec 2, 2019
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW · Campaign 02V223000 · Aug 14, 2002
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES · Campaign 99V100000 · May 6, 1999
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, BRAKING IS NOT POSSIBLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLIP FOR TIGHT INSTALLATION AND REPLACE THE CLIP IF IT IS LOOSE.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW · Campaign 99V063000 · Mar 29, 1999
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.