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1999 BMW 323I Power Train:automatic Transmission Problems

NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · data through 07/12/2026

28Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints
20.6%Of all 136 complaints
#2Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How power train:automatic transmission ranks on this vehicle

AIR BAGS32 · 23.5%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION28 · 20.6%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL8 · 5.9%
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW8 · 5.9%
SUSPENSION6 · 4.4%

Share of the 136 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1999 BMW 323I overview page.

What owners report

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 323I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE GEAR SHIFT SLIPPED INTO REVERSE ON ITS OWN AND THE RPMS INCREASED…”NHTSA complaint 10409231 — filed 06/28/2011
“OWNER OF A 1999 BMW 323I AND THE REVERSE GEAR FAILED. IT OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND CONTINUES. NO ACTION OR ACCOUNTABILITY IS BEING TAKEN BY BMW…”NHTSA complaint 10366390 — filed 11/16/2010
“I OWN A 1999 323I BMW. THE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. 1.) THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION WORKED FINE. THEN WITHOUT WARNING OR INDICATION AFTER…”NHTSA complaint 10318758 — filed 03/10/2010

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints by year filed

120012200312004120051200632007112008420092201022011

Frequently asked questions

Does the 1999 BMW 323I have power train:automatic transmission problems?

Power Train:automatic Transmission is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 1999 BMW 323I: 28 of 136 complaints on file (20.6%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 1999 BMW 323I have in total?

136 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 10 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, 12 reported injuries, and 5 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's power train:automatic transmission category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.