MYRModel Year Report

1999 BMW 3 Series

○ Not enough data
1999 BMW 3 Series
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:55:40.900Z

Only 6 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 6 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
6

Too few to rank

Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 1999

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1986: 1 complaint 1986 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 0 complaints 1994: 1 complaint 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 2 complaints 1997: 5 complaints 1998: 3 complaints 1999: 6 complaints 1999 6 2000: 88 complaints 2001: 36 complaints 2002: 26 complaints 2003: 51 complaints 2003 2004: 77 complaints 2005: 25 complaints 2006: 202 complaints 2006 2007: 115 complaints 2008: 68 complaints 2009: 53 complaints 2009 2010: 30 complaints 2011: 1 complaint 2012: 7 complaints 2012 2013: 21 complaints 2023: 0 complaints
1986: 1 complaint 1986 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 0 complaints 1993 1994: 1 complaint 1995: 3 complaints 1995 1996: 2 complaints 1997: 5 complaints 1997 1998: 3 complaints 1999: 6 complaints 1999 6 2000: 88 complaints 2001: 36 complaints 2001 2002: 26 complaints 2003: 51 complaints 2003 2004: 77 complaints 2005: 25 complaints 2005 2006: 202 complaints 2007: 115 complaints 2007 2008: 68 complaints 2009: 53 complaints 2009 2010: 30 complaints 2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 7 complaints 2013: 21 complaints 2013 2023: 0 complaints
1986: 1 complaint 1986 1992: 0 complaints 1992 1993: 0 complaints 1993 1994: 1 complaint 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1995 1996: 2 complaints 1996 1997: 5 complaints 1997 1998: 3 complaints 1998 1999: 6 complaints 1999 6 2000: 88 complaints 2000 2001: 36 complaints 2001 2002: 26 complaints 2002 2003: 51 complaints 2003 2004: 77 complaints 2004 2005: 25 complaints 2005 2006: 202 complaints 2006 2007: 115 complaints 2007 2008: 68 complaints 2008 2009: 53 complaints 2009 2010: 30 complaints 2010 2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 7 complaints 2012 2013: 21 complaints 2013 2023: 0 complaints 2023

1999: 6 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19861
19920
19930
19941
19953
19962
19975
19983
19996
200088
200136
200226
200351
200477
200525
2006202
2007115
200868
200953
201030
20111
20127
201321
20230

Known problem areas

Only 6 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Air bags

3 of 6 total reports mention: air bags, most commonly citing side/window.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-08-07

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2007-07-11

Structure

1 of 6 total reports mentions: structure, most commonly citing frame and members.

Show complaint excerpts

(1) in everyday driving, I heard a creaking noise in the rear end of my 1999 BMW 328I. (2) I found that the left rear subframe has started to shear away from the chassis making the car only drivable for only short distances, if at all.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-10-12

Fuel/propulsion system

1 of 6 total reports mentions: fuel/propulsion system.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-12-24

Electrical system

1 of 6 total reports mentions: electrical system.

Show complaint excerpts

All doors lock on their own and the windows and sunroof close leaving you locked inside the car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-11

Safety timeline

1 recall · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1999-03-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-05-11 Inadvertent side air bag deployments
  2. I
    2002-07-15Engineering analysisClosed 2003-06-24 Inadvertent side-impact air bag deployme
  3. R
    2021-07-12Air bags21V401000 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)...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1999 BMW 3 Series — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 3 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 1 report on file for this year.
  • Fuel/propulsion system: 1 report on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 21V401000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1999 BMW 3 Series reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 BMW 3 Series?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 BMW 3 Series have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.