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1999 BMW 3 SeriesProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 6 owner complaints about the 1999 BMW 3 Series, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 21V-401 the manufacturer reports only 42% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Lowest repair rate 42%Owner complaints60 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage28kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 27, 2021. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1999 BMW 3 Series has problems

6 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags30
Electrical system10
Fuel/propulsion system10
Structure10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1999 BMW 3 Series recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

42%repaired · 2023 Q2

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 21V-401 · May 27, 2021 · 4,511 vehicles · 1,882 repaired

Risk. The inflator could explode during air bag deployment, resulting in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.

Best & worst years

1999 vs. every other 3 Series year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 3 Series median. How we score

'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'23
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1999 BMW 3 Series, and the recalls they led to.

  1. INADVERTENT SIDE-IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYMEEA02012 · closed Jun 24, 2003
    Led to recall 02V-223
  2. INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTSPE99017 · closed May 11, 1999
    Led to recall 99V-063
In owners' words

What 3 Series owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10583545 · Apr 18, 2014 · 226,722 miles
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…
Complaint 10534078 · Aug 7, 2013 · 28,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10196059 · Jul 11, 2007 · 3,916 miles

Own a 1999 3 Series?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.