BMW 325 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 207 consumer complaints across the 14 model years of the BMW 325 (1986–2006) that have at least 5 complaints. 2001 has the most, with 31. Across all years, the part named most often is air bags (40 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All 325 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 8 | 136,000 | 1 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 9 | 70,000 | 0 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 26 | 55,000 | 2 | 4 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 31 | 149,500 | 2 | 4 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 23 | — | 0 | 1 | — | Stable |
| 1994 | 25 | 100,000 | 1 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 8 | — | 3 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 23 | 198,880 | 3 | 1 | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 6 | — | 3 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 6 | — | 2 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 11 | — | 2 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 7 | — | 2 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 15 | 82,000 | 2 | 1 | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 9 | 300,000 | 3 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Air bags40 23%
- Engine cooling35 20%
- Electrical system23 13%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)22 13%
- Vehicle speed control15 8.6%
- Transmission and drivetrain15 8.6%
- Brakes13 7.4%
- Body and structure12 6.9%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2006: “I was trying to wait until a remember was available but I'm pregnant and now these issues have gotten worse and are more imperative my car is now smoking as I drive the power steering is now affected I just purchased a new battery and the battery light came on it stopped randomly in the middle of the street all issues which arent acceptable period but are worse given my current physical state”
NHTSA complaint #11091982, filed 2018-05, 106,000 miles2003: “Drivers window is stuck in up position. When raise/lower switch is activated, I hear the motor running but window does not move down. The local Bmw repair center said it will be $150 to inspect the problem and then $$$ to repair. The malfunction of the window happened while I was driving”
NHTSA complaint #11203838, filed 2019-04, 68,000 miles2002: “Takata recall. We are under recall 17v047. For four months, we have been calling and doing on-line chats with Bmw of mobile (mobile, alabama). Every call or chat ends with them asking for our phone number and email address. They say they will contact us shortly with info on when or if the recall can be done. They have never once called or emailed us back. I can understand that it might take a while, but they could at least let us know what is going on while we are driving this dangerous car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10990525, filed 2017-05, 180,000 milesOther BMW models
3,165 complaintsBMW 328I
2,576 complaintsBMW X3
2,016 complaintsBMW 325I
1,377 complaintsBMW Z4
1,271 complaintsBMW 3 Series
832 complaintsBMW 528I
830 complaintsBMW 330I
813 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology