1994 BMW 325I Problems
- Complaints
- 17filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles, 4 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 1994 BMW 325I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 1994 BMW 325I. The part named most often is electrical system, with 4 complaints (24% of the total), followed by engine cooling (4) and fuel system (3). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 60,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign 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.
- Electrical system4 24%
- Engine cooling4 24%
- Fuel system3 18%
- Air bags2 12%
- Exterior lighting2 12%
- Seat belts2 12%
- Other or unknown1 5.9%
- Body and structure1 5.9%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Fuel gauge intermittent failure. Bmw's from 70's to '07 have been noted by owners as being a persistent problem. Most due to failure of the sending units. Many owners end up having the senders replaced multiple times d/t multiple failures of the sending units. My e36 has 2 sending units and I have been stuck on the side of the road multiple times. And the same for many other owners on Bmw online boards/forums. I've been stuck in traffic where I merely missed an accident by maneuvering w/o engine power. Please look into this. …”
NHTSA complaint #10218447, filed 2008-02, 90,000 milesEngine cooling: “The problem deals specifically with the location of the supply hose (part of the engine cooling system) from the reservoir tank to the radiator. The first time this problem happened was on the date of this report. It was taken back to the dealer and repaired under factory warranty. The second time it happened was about a year ago. The supply hose is located right under the fan shroud. It is held up by 2 clamps that are molded onto the fan shroud. This whole assembly (shroud and clamps) appear to me to be a plastic material. …”
NHTSA complaint #719024, filed 2000-02Fuel system: “The brace holding one of the fuel tank straps broke off. It seems if broke off at the welds. The strap was just hanging and only the other was holding the fuel tank in place.”
NHTSA complaint #10454463, filed 2012-04, 188,540 milesMileage when problems were reported
50% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,000 and 90,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1994 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 | 18 | 26 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 325i Convertible RWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 26 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 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 1994 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 1994 BMW 325I have?
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 1994 BMW 325I as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1994 BMW 325I is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 4 complaints (24% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 4.
Has the 1994 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 1994 BMW 325I get?
The EPA rates the 1994 BMW 325I (325i Convertible, 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 1994 BMW 325I reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 60,000 miles and the middle half falls between 30,000 and 90,000 miles; 50% 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. 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.