The 1999 BMW 3 Series has 6 recalls, the most serious involving the driver's front airbag inflator, which can rupture or explode during deployment and send metal fragments into the cabin.
Multiple recalls address this airbag inflator issue, including a follow-up campaign for vehicles where an earlier inspection was completed but the inflator was not replaced. Moisture exposure over time can also cause the same airbag to either underinflate or deploy with excessive force, leaving the driver without adequate protection in a crash. These airbag concerns apply broadly, though some are specific to 323i and 328i trims. On the 323i and 328i, there is also a separate side airbag concern: the curtain airbags can deploy without a crash, and when they do, the battery safety terminal activates and disconnects the starter cable from the battery. On the brake side, also limited to 323i and 328i models, a retaining clip that connects the brake booster pushrod to the brake pedal arm can be incompletely seated and detach during repeated anti-lock brake activation, which can reduce braking effectiveness.