1993 BMW 325I Problems
- Complaints
- 21filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 155,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns 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
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.5L 6-cyl RWD · 18 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1993 BMW 325I (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1993 BMW 325I. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 5 complaints (24% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and equipment (3). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 155,000 miles. NHTSA lists 3 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.
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 cooling5 24%
- Electrical system4 19%
- Equipment3 14%
- Exterior lighting3 14%
- Fuel system2 9.5%
- Vehicle speed control2 9.5%
- Seat belts1 4.8%
- Steering1 4.8%
- Body and structure1 4.8%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “The contact owns a 1993 Bmw 325I. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating, the antifreeze was leaking and the radiator fan was inoperable. In addition, the reservoir for the radiator was not mounted correctly. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where the contact was awaiting diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who stated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 155,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10403895, filed 2011-05, 155,000 milesElectrical system: “Vehicle experienced an electrical short after coming out of a car wash. Water got into the computer system. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that repairs would be at consumer cost of approximately $900 or more. An additional $200 or more would be charged to insure that the problem would not reoccur. Provide further details.”
NHTSA complaint #861286, filed 2000-05Equipment: “The contact owns a 1993 Bmw 325I. The contact stated that the air conditioning system stopped working and the temperature would not maintain accurate temperatures. Later, the heating unit failed as well. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but repairs were not made because the failures were outside of the warranty and there were no recalls. The contact located a recall, but was unsure if her VIN was included because she never received a notification. The NHTSA campaign id number was unknown. The failure and current mileages were unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #10255912, filed 2009-01Exterior lighting: “Headlights: headlights on light trucks and SUV's are too high. This causes car drivers to be blinded, so they may not be able to see where to drive. A secondary effect is to cause road rage, with consequences ranging from none to murder. Fmvss shoud be changed to limit the height of headlights.”
NHTSA complaint #761647, filed 2002-05Mileage 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 155,000 and 155,000 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 1993 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 1993 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 | 5-speed manual | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 325i/325is RWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 325i/325is RWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 26 | 20 | $4,100 |
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…
- 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 1993 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 1993 BMW 325I have?
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1993 BMW 325I as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1993 BMW 325I is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 5 complaints (24% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.
Has the 1993 BMW 325I been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1993 BMW 325I get?
The EPA rates the 1993 BMW 325I (325i/325is, 2.5L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 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 1993 BMW 325I reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 155,000 miles and the middle half falls between 155,000 and 155,000 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.