2000 BMW 323I. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle sub-frame issues. The consumer stated it was a known defect. BMW offered to pay 25% of the cost. However, the consumer requested they pay 50% of the cost.

- Saint Louis Park, MN, USA

BMW E46 subframes are made with a defective material. Over time the subframe cracks. Mine has cracked.

- Monroe, CT, USA

The technician discovered that my subframe has started to fail. Today I had my BMW in for a normal brake service at my repair facility. They noticed my subframe is starting to crack along the mounting points. This is usually not found in an automatic transmission BMW especially since the car is a non M3, it's just a 328ci coupe.

- Rancho Cordova, CA, USA

2000 BMW 323ci rear floor pan tearing. All four of the rear subframe mounting points have become torn.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

Have been informed by my mechanic that my subframe is failing on the rear end of my BMW. He pulled a report saying that a lawsuit has been filed against BMW but no recall had been issued (I.e, a 'silent' recall). His words: "man you're totally screwed." My reading of the lawsuit is that there was a limited time to seek redress from BMW; having just found out about the problem, I'm having a hard time imagining how something that apparently is epidemic in 3-series bmws and can cause catastrophic failure (in one case, apparently locking up the brakes and causing the car to come to a screeching halt) has not resulted in a recall of model with mandatory repairs! again, I'm not a lawyer but my reading of the document my mechanic showed me seems to reveal an enormous Dodge by BMW in limiting the time frame during which one can have them repair the problem! my internet search this weekend shows that there are many others with the same complaint, people describing loss of control of their cars, etc., and of course I'm not in the drive this thing anymore. It seems the serious nature of potential problems and obvious defect in manufacturing should warrant some sort of mandatory redress by the manufacturer. (my car has never been used in racing or extreme activities, just highway driving, mostly for commute.) had I not asked him to check the cause of the squeaking in the rear, my 1st notice of this could well have been a loss of control of the vehicle.

- Conyers, GA, USA

The fuel tank support strap bracket on my 2000 BMW 323ci coupe snapped off without warning. It happened while driving, I noticed a loud metallic grinding sound coming from underneath the car. I stopped, and noticed an 18 inch metal strap being dragged along the ground, still attached at one end (rear end) of the fuel tank. The front side of the strap had disconnected from the car and the fuel tank on the passenger side had dropped several inches, and was 'dangling' to some extent - it bounced up and down when pushed. The weld that broke was holding the front side of the fuel tank support strap, on the passenger side of the car. It appears that a small amount of metal had torn out of the frame that the bracket was attached to. The car is currently being repaired by a mechanic. To repair it, they need to remove the entire fuel tank and weld the bracket back onto the frame, so that the support strap can be re-attached. I have been quoted $600.

- Del Mar, CA, USA

My subframe is damage underneath the rear carrier. I noticed when I was driving I heard a loud knock in the back. It sounded so bad I went into an auto shop to have it checked out. They said it was a recall and to take it to the dealer. So I went to the dealer and they said it was not a recall but a class action suit. Meaning they would repair it but I had to come up with a vehicle for 2 weeks while they repaired it. I can't afford the rental, so they let me drive off with my vehicle in very very poor condition. I have heard of the subframe being an issue with my car and was wondering if it were a problem, why haven't it made the recall list. It will end up killing someone if it's not taken care of. Specially if a dealer is letting me take it back because they can't afford to give me a loaner car for two weeks while it is getting fixed (because it isn't a recall they implied). So here I'm complaining to you, were I hope god somehow touches you enough to make a few 100,000 people much safer by making this a recall. For it surly is unsafe as said by many mechanics (even the dealer ships mechanic said it was unsafe to drive it). But because I can't afford a rental with a new baby, and many bills... I'm still driving this 2000 BMW 323I and I will until I can either afford the two week rental or someone helps my situation. All parts are available, and would be replaced by the dealer at their expense (in other words. A big cover-up). But because it isn't a recall, they let me drive away because they wouldn't give me a rental in replace of the failed BMW.... I have the inspection copy from dealer stating below; campaign subframe recall is due damage found underneath rear carrier, requires bodyshop attention. If they are calling it a recall then why isn't it on the recall list" and if it went to a class action lawsuit, and lost... why is it still not a recall if its happening to many of these cars, and a very big danger while driving" something needs to be done!

- Portland, OR, USA

While driving I heard a squeaking noise coming from the rear. I took the car to get an oil change at BMW dealership and they then informed me of the subframe tearing away. No way the should happen so many times to any vehicle. Dangerous and should be addressed immediately by bmwna.

- Mricopa, AZ, USA

I drove from North Carolina to California prior to pcsing overseas. Halfway I noticed a creaking sound. Upon arrival to California I took it to a shop only to find out the rear subframe was tearing from its mounts. Insurance claims it as a wear and tear issue and refuses to pay for the repairs. Under normal conditions the tearing of the subframe does not seem possible. I took it to a BMW dealer where they are now ripping apart the rearend to only spot weld the repair I do not even believe is a proper repair. Now with insurance refusing to cover it I'm stuck with an 8,000 dollar repair that should not even exist.

- Cypress, CA, USA

1: the rear of the car felt loose and sloppy while driving. But didn't perform to unusually. 2: the rear subframe ripped out of the sheet metal it was attached to leaving a gaping hole in the underbody of the car, and rendering the car undrivable. The passenger side of the car sat about 1.5" lower than the drivers side in the rear. Also the rear sway bar was hitting on the rear passenger lower control arm, and also in the center on the rear differential mount. 3: nothing has been done to resolve this issue yet.

- Waukesha, WI, USA

There was a clunking noise coming from the back. After taking the wheel off to investigate I saw where the rear suspension mounts to the frame it had pulled through. I have just found out about this and will E contacting BMW about this shortly. An internet search will find that this is not a rare occurrence and I believe BMW should be held responsible for this.

- Canyon Lake, CA, USA

Sub frame tore from car rear chassis on a 2000 BMW 323ci, very dangerous and may cause serious accident.

- San Leandro, CA, USA

I drive a 2000 328ci BMW with 84,000 miles on it. 1. it has been a daily driver for 3 years. 2. the subframe has torn behind the driver side rear wheel. 3. BMW is not recognizing this as an engineering defect and is giving a hard time covering the fix.

- San Diego, CA, USA

Rear subframe of car tearing out of body.

- Deerfield, NY, USA

I recently purchased the car used. Then took it to my local mechanic for thorough inspection and maintenance tune up. Front and rear shocks and struts along with springs replaced with oem parts. He and I located the subframe on the rear driver was torn. Car is mechanically sound and the only issue right now is that when driving, I can hear the metal on metal clunking noise. Afraid that if it does not get repaired, it will lead to more structure problems with the car. I'm scare to drive the car fearing that an accident is waiting to happen. Please help with investigation into possible defect on BMW 3 series. I know that there is currently a class action lawsuit has been filed with wasserman, comden & casselman, L.L.P regarding manufacturing and/or design defect that severely compromises the safety, durability, and performance of the vehicle. Which alleges that the manufacturing and/or design defect includes a weak or insufficient floor panel in the unibody of the vehicle that causes, among other things, cracking in the floor pan and misalignment, cracking or the complete or partial failure of the rear subframe of the vehicle.

- Harleysville, PA, USA

1999-2005 BMW 3 series has defective rear subframe mounts. My rear sub frame mount of the driver side rear has torn out completely causing the car to constantly clunk and creak.

- Neshanic Station, NJ, USA

Rear subframe cracking from mounting point on drivers side. Very unsafe, creaking clunking noises from rear of vehicle due to this.

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

This car is my daily driving car and that is its sole purpose. The rear subframe mount has begun to rip out of the car on the driver side. Nothing has been done to correct the failure, but BMW has been contacted and I am awaiting their reply.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

I was driving my car normally and started to realize a squeaking noise. Soon the noise got really loud and constant so I jack up the car and realized my rear subframe was detaching from the body. BMW says they will not take responsibility for it.

- Chino Hills, CA, USA

1) there were no events out of the ordinary leading up to the failure of the rear subframe. All driving was normal in normal conditions. 2)cracked/separated rear subframe, failed due to engineering flaws in design and use of materials. Consequences of this failure could be catastrophic and result in severe injury and or death. 3)I had my car inspected by BMW na at my local BMW dealer. Bmwna agreed that the rear subframe was in fact broken and they would not be willing to participate in the repair of this. Bmwag (germany) has acknowledge this compliant and problem and had ordered a recall for this year the car was manufactured. Problem is currently being corrected with a combination of welding and metal reinforcement plates.

- Swampscott, MA, USA