1993 BMW 325IS Problems
- Complaints
- 16filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 116,314miles, 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.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1993 BMW 325IS (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1993 BMW 325IS. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 5 complaints (31% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (4) and body and structure (4). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 116,314 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. 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. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the switch 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 31%
- Exterior lighting4 25%
- Body and structure4 25%
- Seat belts3 19%
- Air bags1 6.3%
- Fuel system1 6.3%
- Steering1 6.3%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Puchased with email and verbal guarantee no problems with car. Have valid consumer complaints against same dealer with misrepresentation of veh.(s) purchased. 1: TCM light on. Veh. Will not shift. Occurred 2nd day of ownership. Dealer denies. 2: lights were non-functional upon arrival to dealer. Had detailer rewire (4 hours). Brake failure light still on computer. 3: dealer ordered and promised pass. Window motor. Replaced 2 relays while at dealer. Did not repair. Refuses to send motor for functional window. Window will not, and did not roll down even at dealers. …”
NHTSA complaint #10026054, filed 2003-07, 92,800 milesExterior lighting: “I have a 1993 325IS Bmw. And there are a number of problems. On rainy days I can hear water in the floor boards. The door panels are both coming ungluded and bubbling. My driver side floor mat hits the gas petal. The check coolant light on my computer is always on, the the coolant is low even after I fill it. I am afaid my car will overheat.”
NHTSA complaint #10112418, filed 2005-03Body and structure: “My 1993 Bmw 325IS has a failure of the chassis mounting points for the rear subframe of the car. The car had been feeling funny for weeks prior to this until one day the car started to shudder when taking a turn and accelerating out of it. From that day on the car felt completely detached from my steering inputs, it was obvious something was wrong. Had I not caught it when I did, more than just financial damage would have surely occured; after all, these are what hold the whole rear of the suspension and drive train the the chassis. …”
NHTSA complaint #10081226, filed 2004-07, 139,829 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 92,800 and 139,829 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 98V178000Aug 4, 1998Engine and engine cooling › Cooling systemCovers: BMW 325IS 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 325IS 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 325IS 1992–1994, 525I 1990–1994, 325I 1992–1994 +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 325IS → · 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 325IS
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 5 | 180,000 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1994 | 10 | 203,907 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 16 | 116,314 | 3 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 8 | 178,500 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1993 BMW 325IS have?
NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1993 BMW 325IS as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1993 BMW 325IS is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 5 complaints (31% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 4.
Has the 1993 BMW 325IS been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1993 BMW 325IS reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 116,314 miles and the middle half falls between 92,800 and 139,829 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.
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.