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Engine coolingPart report

2002 BMW 325XI Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
4%of 68 total for the year
Median mileage
67,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 BMW 325XI, 4% of the 68 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,500 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 2002 325XI at low temperatures like 5 or 6 f. The crankcase vent valve froze and the high pressure built up caused the valve to blow and couple of gaskets burnt. Oil spilled over to the exhaust causing smoke coming out of the engine compartment. If driven couple of more miles the car would have been on fire. The car just has 67000 miles which is fairly low miles and new car. All the mechanics I talked to quickly recognized the problem and asked me not to drive at all. They said it can catch fire if driven little more. …”

NHTSA complaint #10260856, filed 2009-03, 67,500 miles

“2002 Bmw 325 xi having new water pump and fan clutch replaced and oil change (4/27/09). After 15 minutes drive on I-90 (4/28/09) the car suddenly stop on the middle of I-90 near exit 11a. Near collision with a big truck that cause traffic stop. Manage to get into the maspike toll plaza, the engine damage and overheated. Car towed back to dealer, they have the old pump, new pump, fan clutches (old and new). The car nearly got hit by a truck that may cause fatal. The engine that have the parts replace to prevent the engine overheat overheated. No repair was performed. The engine failure.”

NHTSA complaint #10267676, filed 2009-05, 135,000 miles

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200633%
200412%
200234%

Other parts of the 2002 BMW 325XI

Electrical system
15 complaints
Engine
15 complaints
Air bags
13 complaints
Exterior lighting
10 complaints
Suspension
9 complaints
Steering
7 complaints
Tires
5 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
4 complaints
Other or unknown
3 complaints
Brakes
2 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints
Electronic stability control
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 BMW 325XI

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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