2002 BMW 325I Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 4%of 162 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 92,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 BMW 325I, 4% of the 162 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 92,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Bmw 325 2002 under 100k miles with transmission problem. Jmk springfield Bmw said hey could fix for $500 I agreed to go ahead. After the work completion they called me back to tell me problem still exists but they still charged me $540. They say I need to pay another $700 to try the next 'gear selection switch change' suggestion. And if that fails they'll change the gear box for $5k. I think this should be a recall. Gearbox should not fail on ultimate driving machine under 100k miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10268888, filed 2009-05, 99,000 miles“In a matter of two hours my 325I was running fine to not going in reverse at all. I have been researching this problem and it seems to be happening in a lot of cars my year and type. This is a safety hazard because there is no warning, one minute you can back up next it is just stalled in reverse. Bmw needs to stand up and see that their product has a defect and potentially can cause injuries. The dealership I called said it's is the transmission, let's set up an appt and bring it in. It still goes no problem at all in drive. Someone please help!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10329776, filed 2010-05, 153,000 miles“Bmw 2002 325I with 135k miles on it reverse gear does not work. I started my car let it idle for 3-5 minutes since the temperature outside was cold. I shifted into reverse gear, and nothing happened. I had just parked the car approximately 2 hours earlier. There was no indication prior to this incident that there was a problem with the transmission. On the next morning I called the local Bmw dealership and explained what had happened. They stated that I needed to replace the transmission. How can you determine that from a phone conversation, I wondered. …”
NHTSA complaint #10295554, filed 2009-12, 135,000 miles“Vehicle routinely stalls when engine is cold and car is placed in reverse. We back out of the garage and go over the slight bump at the threshold, and the car stalls and must be re-started. Seems as if engine is idling very high as well. Once re-started, the car seems to run ok.”
NHTSA complaint #10441965, filed 2011-12, 80,000 miles“Bmw 2002 325 I with 92,000 miles, transmission failure, car will not go into reverse, same situation many people are experiencing with 99-2004 models.”
NHTSA complaint #10233446, filed 2008-07, 92,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 11 | 2% |
| 2005 | 4 | 6% |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% |
| 2003 | 18 | 9% |
| 2002 | 7 | 4% |
| 2001 | 12 | 8% |
| 1995 | 5 | 16% |
| 1994 | 2 | 12% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
| 1988 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2002 BMW 325I
52 complaintsExterior lighting
44 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 BMW 325I
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology