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1987-2012 · 23 model years

BMW 325I Problems by year

Owners have filed 399 complaints about the BMW 325I across 23 model years, and it has 23 recalls. The 2001 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (150), while 2000, 2012 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the airbags, followed by the engine & cooling.

Most complaints for its age2001150 complaints · 7 recallsSee the 2001
Complaints
399
Recalls
23
Crashes
36
Fires
14
Injuries
48
Deaths
1

325I complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20121000Seats & seat beltsA
20111300AirbagsC
20100300-B
20090300-B
20080300-B
20070300-B
20060700-D
20050500-C
20040500-C
20030800-D
20020700-D
2001150778AirbagsF
20001200AirbagsA
19990100-A
1995642120AirbagsF
199417301Electrical systemD
199350332Engine & coolingF
199274461Engine & coolingF
199111031AirbagsD
199012020Acceleration & cruise controlD
19898010Engine & coolingB
19885011BrakesB
19875010Seats & seat beltsB

Most common 325I problems

BMW 325I recalls 23

Latest 325I complaints

2001 BMW 325IAirbags

The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325I. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V018000 (Air Bags) and 17V047000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact called another local dealer Ferman BMW (31400 US Hwy 19 N, Palm Harbor, FL 34684); but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11622909
2001 BMW 325IAirbagsEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325I. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was scanned using a hand-held diagnostic machine. The DTC code 02: Ignition Decay 1/Belt Tensioner Driver was retrieved. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 195,000.

Filed Incident Air bags · EngineNHTSA 11609803
2001 BMW 325IEngine & coolingFire

The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325i. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked overnight and off, the vehicle caught on fire. The contact was alerted by her father that the vehicle was on fire. There were no occupants at the time of the fire. The entire front end of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department was called to the scene. It was unknown if there was a fire report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The father of the contact had a truck parked in front and due to the flames...

Read the full complaint

of the vehicle fire, it melted the front of the parked vehicle causing damage. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not driveable after the fire. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 188,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11482276
2001 BMW 325ISteeringElectrical systemLights

I am having a major electrical short in my trunk area affecting my critical tail lights functionalities and common trunk function. I cannot use my turning signals or brake lights or lights in general when driving my vehicle from the rear my lights are not operable. This is a huge safety concern and risk that's need to be recalled affecting millions I'm for certain. Along with that I am having steering issue with my steering rack called "steering Wander". Not being able to control you vehicle with supreme confidence is a issue which can easily lead to collisions.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11435461
1995 BMW 325IOther & unknownCrash1 injury

The hard plastic cover on my BMW's R.O.P.S. Rollover Protection System came off. The BMW and Roll Over Protection System is available for for inspection. I was struck violently by the cover that came off. I was diagnosed with a concussion and closed head injury at the hospital. Digital Motion X-Rays show that I have painful, progressive, and permanent injuries. I also suffered a cut to the right ear from the cover. The problem has not been reproduced by a dealer or service center. Due to Covid concerns the insurance company has only seen pictures of my BMW. To my knowledge there are no warning lights etc. about the Roll Over Protection System.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11419706

Questions about the BMW 325I

Which BMW 325I years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2001 (150), 1992 (74), 1995 (64). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2001 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

Which BMW 325I years have the fewest complaints?

Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 1999, 2012, 2000 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other 325I years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.

What are the most common BMW 325I problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the airbags (73), engine & cooling (69), body, doors & structure (43) most often.

How many recalls does the BMW 325I have?

NHTSA lists 23 recalls across all BMW 325I model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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