Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 102 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 BMW 328i, and it carries 7 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 35 | 34% |
| Suspension | 8 | 8% |
| Power train | 8 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 5% |
| Structure | 5 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 4% |
| Tires | 4 | 4% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
1999 BMW 328I. VEHICLE IS REGISTERED AND IS A DAILY DRIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON 05/01/2021 IN THE BOSTON AREA ON A SMOOTH ROAD AT NIGHT, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR & SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. N
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V852000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V852000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. BMW OF ROCHESTER (4250 W HE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
ON JUNE 11, 2020 MY CAR WAS DELIVERED TO CLASSIC BMW IN PLANO, TEXAS FOR 1999 BMW SAFETY RECALL 19V-851 FOR THE TAKATA NON-AZIDE DRIVER INFLATOR. THEY WERE ONLY SUPPOSED TO CHANGE THE IGNITER, BUT WHEN I RECEIVED THE CAR
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG INFLATOR WAS RECALLED IN JANUARY 2020. NO REMEDY IS AVAILABLE. I HAVE BEEN WAITING AND CALLING BMW AND BMW DEALERSHIPS FOR 6 MONTHS. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V851000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT EAST BAY BMW (LOCATED AT 4350 ROSEWOOD DR, PLEASANTON, CA 945
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION AND OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V851000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE M
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V851000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 1999 BMW 328i. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: 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 scena
Fix: 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
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
Risk: 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 t
Fix: 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.
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
Risk: 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 t
Fix: 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 c
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
Risk: 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 t
Fix: 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
| Reliability raw | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 64 | average |
| Depreciation | 64 | average |
| Performance | 57 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 102 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 35 of them (34%). There are 7 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.