The Lemon Index2000 BMW 3 Series.
The 2000 BMW 3 Series is better than average by owner complaints: 69 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 70, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 18 to 21 mpg combined. The best BMW 3 Series year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 691 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every BMW 3 Series year. 2000 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 68K to 128K miles on the car (511 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 72K–120K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 54K–146K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 80K–149K miles
Recalls 7
- airbags 2021
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.
- airbags 2020
These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temp.
- airbags 2019
These vehicles may have received a replacement driver air bag as part of a vehicle repair.
Show all 7 recalls
- airbags 2019
These inflators do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant.
- airbags 2018
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injur…
- airbags 2002
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.
- lights 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems BMW told dealers about
BMW sent dealers 62 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Rear axle carrier (sub frame) support proposed class action settlement
- Various functions in the vehicle are not working including: instruments, door locks, wipers,…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedInadvertent side-impact air bag deployme2002–2003
- ClosedInadvertent side-impact air bag2002
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3800–4400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 6-cyl, 2.8L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Consumer state after making a stop without any indication vehicle air bag deployed without any indication. Dealer and manufacture has been contracted. Please provide further information. Mr
2000 BMW 3 Series owner · NHTSA complaint 8021101
More owner reports
Consumer states molding inside the windows was falling down. Dealer fixed it twice, and problem still recurring.
NHTSA complaint 10029656
Consistent problem with the "check air bag light." dealer had replaced one sensor under the driver's seat/one sensor on the dashboard, and re-attached the wiring system.
NHTSA complaint 10040488
Quick answers
Is the 2000 BMW 3 Series reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 70; 100 is average, lower is better). The best BMW 3 Series year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2000 BMW 3 Series problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (39%), visibility (19%) and body structure (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2000 BMW 3 Series have?
7 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2000 BMW 3 Series get?
18 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2000 BMW 3 Series problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 68,000 and 128,500 miles. The middle report was at 95,000 miles, from 511 complaints.
Does the 2000 BMW 3 Series have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2000 BMW 3 Series cost in fuel a year?
About $3800 to $4400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2000 BMW 3 Series have?
2.5L 6-cyl, 2.8L 6-cyl.
What BMW 3 Series year is better than the 2000?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2019 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works