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BMW 325CIModel year report

2002 BMW 325CI Problems

Complaints
30filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
110,000miles, 15 complaints with mileage
Recalls
33 do-not-drive
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 2.5L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 BMW 325CI (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 2002 BMW 325CI. The part named most often is air bags, with 23 complaints (77% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and body and structure (2). 15 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 110,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns (3 marked do-not-drive) and 16 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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.

Example complaints

Air bags: “Driving to work this morning, the passenger airbag above the door erupted. My vehicle was not hit by anything. I have no damage to the outside at all. I need to know how this airbag recall affects me, because it talks about in the event of a crash...and I wasn't in a wreck of any sort.”

NHTSA complaint #10681076, filed 2015-02, 116,300 miles

Electrical system: “After completing a trip of approximately 25 miles coming into a parking spot and bringing vehicle to a stop the vehicle was shut off. Driver was able to egress out of vehicle without issue, passenger door was unable to be opened. Door remained locked with seemingly no mechanical link to door latch. Driver attempted to open door from outside, also unable to do so. Passenger had to egress vehicle through drivers door, passenger door unable to open despite repeated use of unlock button on center console and unlock feature on keyless entry. …”

NHTSA complaint #10641632, filed 2014-10, 152,000 miles

Body and structure: “The subframe on my 2002 Bmw 325CI has broke in 2 halves it is going to cost alot of money to get fixed I have talked to a guy at Bmw he told me there was over 200 cars at his dealership alone this year getting subframes replaced the more I looked into this nearly all Bmw e46 models have this same issue and Bmw has not recalled any of these cars.”

NHTSA complaint #10324482, filed 2010-04, 102,000 miles

Engine: “2002 Bmw 325CI. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle engine problems. The consumer stated the engine would stall, when he reduced his speed. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, several times in order for them to examine and fix the engine stall problem. However, each time he visited the dealer, they were unable to locate the cause of the problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10533570, filed 2013-08, 35,209 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

20% of the 15 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 90,000 and 129,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2520%25–500%50–7520%75–10040%100–15020%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (15 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 110,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’08’11’13’158’17’20’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 BMW 325CI. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
3 Series · sedan not rated4 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2002 BMW 325CI version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
325ci RWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed manual182721$3,900
325ci RWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172420$4,100
325ci Convertible RWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed manual172419$4,350
325ci Convertible RWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172419$4,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2002 BMW 325CI → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

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. 16 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 16 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW 325CI

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20063649,3422—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20053167,0002—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20046875,0002—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20032765,0005—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200230110,0003—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200149105,0005—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20006112,0003———Not enough data

All BMW 325CI model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 BMW 325CI have?

NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 2002 BMW 325CI as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 BMW 325CI is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 23 complaints (77% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.

Has the 2002 BMW 325CI been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, 3 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 BMW 325CI get?

The EPA rates the 2002 BMW 325CI (325ci, 2.5L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 BMW 325CI reported?

Among the 15 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 110,000 miles and the middle half falls between 90,000 and 129,000 miles; 20% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

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.