1992 BMW 325I Problems
- Complaints
- 40filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 158,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 2.5L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1992 BMW 325I (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 1992 BMW 325I. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 14 complaints (35% of the total), followed by electrical system (5) and body and structure (5). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 158,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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.
- Engine cooling14 35%
- Electrical system5 13%
- Body and structure5 13%
- Seat belts4 10%
- Fuel system3 7.5%
- Air bags2 5.0%
- Brakes2 5.0%
- Equipment2 5.0%
Also reported: Tires (2), Exterior lighting (1), Other or unknown (1), Steering (1), Suspension (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “I was losing coolant and I could not find a leak over more than a year. I reported the problem (at united Bmw, duluth, ga) the found no problem. On the highway I noted the windshieln very clowdy and the smell of ethylene glycol coming from the heating ducts. Suddenly this big cloud of white mist in front of the right side of the vehicle. I pulled over and opened the hood only to be sprayed with the remnants of this fluid as it got on the fan. I jumped back and avoided any injury. The hose leading from the top of the radiator to the engine block had fallen off! That should be simple to fix! …”
NHTSA complaint #747610, filed 2001-06Electrical system: “Electronic control unit is defectively installed. Water from rain and carwashing can easily get into the said unit box causing circuit shorts to the said equipment. Equipment is $1,200.00 to replaced. Bmw dealers know the problem and can easily modify the installation to protect it from water damage and I wonder why it was not part of their recall. I called parts dept.'s personnel of Bmw dealers and I found out this kind of damage is so common.”
NHTSA complaint #708700, filed 1999-07Body and structure: “1) mounts for rear subframe to body not strong enough. They flex and crack leading to a chain reaction then the rear end rips off. 2)I was driving down a busy two way road. Then all of a sudden my cars rear end is moving to the left and I lost control for a little. Luckily didnt crash into another car. Then I regained control and drove back to my house which was 1 street away. 3) I had to have it tow trucked to a garage where they had to replace the whole sheet metal part where the whole rear end mounts to. …”
NHTSA complaint #10100090, filed 2004-11, 125,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Consumer stated there was a clutch problem in which the dealer replaced the pressure plate and t bearing, later, the throw out bearing, friction plate, yolk arm and pivot pin were replaced due to clutch vibration, the universal joint also failed.”
NHTSA complaint #566932, filed 2002-08Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 125,000 and 200,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1992 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 · sedan | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
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 1992 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 | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 325i/325iS RWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
| 325i/325iS RWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 24 | 19 | $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
- 98V178000Aug 4, 1998Engine and engine cooling › Cooling systemCovers: BMW 325I 1992–1995, 735I 1988–1995, 735ILA 1988–1995 +28 more
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A malfunction or failure of a coolant system component, such as a thermostat, water pump, or fan belt, can result in significantly increased coolant temperature and system pressure. If the indications of a critical…
- 97V131000Aug 19, 1997Vehicle speed controlCovers: BMW 325I 1992–1995, 525I 1989–1995, 318I 1992–1997 +12 more
The cruise control and throttle cables are attached to the same throttle valve actuating lever at the throttle housing. It is possible that the plastic bushing on either cable could break due to environmental influences coupled with vibration. If the bushing…
- 96V110000Jul 1, 1996Air bags › FrontalCovers: BMW 325I 1992, 525I 1991–1992, 850I 1991–1992 +9 more
The air bag contact ring locking tab located in the steering wheel assembly can break without warning.
- 96V111000Jul 1, 1996Exterior lighting › Brake lights › SwitchCovers: BMW 325I 1992–1994, 525I 1990–1994, 735I 1990–1992 +11 more
The brake light switch can fail allowing the switch to remain in the "brake lights off" position or in the "brake lights on" position.
Recall details for the 1992 BMW 325I → · 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. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Electrical system, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
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 1992 BMW 325I have?
NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 1992 BMW 325I as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1992 BMW 325I is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 14 complaints (35% of the total), followed by electrical system with 5.
Has the 1992 BMW 325I been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1992 BMW 325I get?
The EPA rates the 1992 BMW 325I (325i/325iS, 2.5L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1992 BMW 325I reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 158,000 miles and the middle half falls between 125,000 and 200,000 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 29, 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.