1986 BMW 325 Problems
- Complaints
- 9filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 300,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 BMW 325 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1986 BMW 325. The part named most often is visibility, with 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by engine cooling (2) and equipment (2). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 300,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Visibility complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the heater core, 1 NHTSA investigation and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling2 22%
- Equipment2 22%
- Brakes1 11%
- Engine1 11%
- Seat belts1 11%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Car has overheated since 2000. I have called the dealership several times and they keep telling me there is no recall for my 86 Bmw 325 but I just looked up recalls and saw were overheating was a problem for this year model car.”
NHTSA complaint #10193975, filed 2007-06Brakes: “Daughter driving, passengers/driver had on seat belts, clear/sunny day, another car tailgating fast. Started slowing to make lane change, car skidded, brakes locked up, car rolled 6 times, car upside down, driver thrown to passenger's side roof. Seatbelt did not hold.”
NHTSA complaint #808055, filed 1997-01Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 300,000 and 300,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 93V015000Feb 1, 1993Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater coreCovers: BMW 325 1984–1993, 318 1984–1985, 1991–1992, M3 1988–1991
The malfunction or failure of a coolant system component results in significantly increased coolant temperature and a resulting increase in system pressure.
- 86V151000Nov 10, 1986Exterior lighting › Brake lights › SwitchCovers: BMW 325 1986–1987, 735 1986–1987, 528 1986–1987 +3 more
Brake light switch could overheat, eventually leading to melting of plastic internal parts in area of electrical contacts.
- 86V138000Oct 20, 1986Steering › Steering wheel/handle barCovers: BMW 325 1985–1986, 318 1985
The two parts of the steering column disengagement element could completely disconnect if the car contacts an object in the roadway or elsewhere of sufficient mass to apply a significant force directly to the steering gearbox. Consequence of defect: steering…
Recall details for the 1986 BMW 325 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- DP92004Defective heater coresClosed · Mar 3, 1992
- EA90002Mstr cyl fails to releaseClosed · Oct 12, 1989
- PE89142Brakes drag & failClosed · Jul 14, 1989
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system. The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Other model years of the BMW 325
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 8 | 136,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 9 | 70,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 26 | 55,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 31 | 149,500 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 23 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1994 | 25 | 100,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 8 | — | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 23 | 198,880 | 3 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 6 | — | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 6 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 11 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 7 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 15 | 82,000 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 9 | 300,000 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All BMW 325 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 BMW 325 have?
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1986 BMW 325 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 BMW 325 is reported most often?
Visibility is named most often, in 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 2.
Has the 1986 BMW 325 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1986 BMW 325 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 300,000 miles and the middle half falls between 300,000 and 300,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.