1990 BMW 325I Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 165,200miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 2.5L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 21 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 BMW 325I (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1990 BMW 325I. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by air bags (1) and electrical system (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 165,200 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
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.
- Air bags1 20%
- Electrical system1 20%
Example complaints
Vehicle speed control: “Consumer put on seatbelt, started the car put in reverse, and car jerked and took off backwards very fast. Went across to yards, and still rmp's were revving very high. Vehicle crashed into a tree on drivers side. Car had to be towed. Mechanic said that throttle was not stuck. Also, brakes would not stop car, consumer felt that throttle leakage and control and sudden accelaration played a big part in this incident.”
NHTSA complaint #870372, filed 2000-09Electrical system: “Driving the vehicle the check engine light comes on and the engine cuts out for a second as well the the gauges on the right side of the cluster fail. I have had the vehicle to three diffrent mechanics two Bmw specialist and one and authorized dealer and none have been able to locate the cause of this problem. The failure occures usually after the car has warmed up and is excellerating between 2nd and 3rd gear.”
NHTSA complaint #700607, filed 1998-11Mileage 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 165,200 and 165,200 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1990 BMW 325I. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 325I · coupe | not rated | 3 / – | — | — | — |
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 1990 BMW 325I version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 325i Convertible RWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 325i Convertible RWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 325i/325is RWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 20 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 325i/325is RWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 325ix 4WD/AWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 20 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 325ix 4WD/AWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1990 BMW 325I in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 BMW 325I.
Other model years of the BMW 325I
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 515 | 77,000 | 7 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 71 | 80,000 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2004 | 147 | 80,500 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 199 | 75,000 | 7 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 162 | 80,050 | 6 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 151 | 100,000 | 6 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 31 | 150,000 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 17 | 60,000 | 3 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1993 | 21 | 155,000 | 3 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 40 | 158,000 | 4 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 5 | 165,200 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 8 | 160,000 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 5 | 161,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 5 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All BMW 325I model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 BMW 325I have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1990 BMW 325I as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 BMW 325I is reported most often?
Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by air bags with 1.
Has the 1990 BMW 325I been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 BMW 325I get?
The EPA rates the 1990 BMW 325I (325i Convertible, 2.5L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 BMW 325I reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 165,200 miles and the middle half falls between 165,200 and 165,200 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 28, 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.