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BMW 325Years to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 223 NHTSA owner complaints across 27 model years, no BMW 325 year stands out as one to avoid, and the strongest years are 1994, 2001 and 2002. The 325 has 11 safety recalls on record.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years'94 '01 '02Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints223Top: Air bagsSafety recalls111984–2012 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

BMW 325 years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 325 median. Tap a year for its full report.

'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'06'07'08'09'10'11'12
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2012Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall2011Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall2010Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall2009Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall2008Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall2007Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall2006Not rated–/1008 complaints · 1 recall2003Not rated–/1009 complaints · 0 recalls2002Solid54/10026 complaints · 2 recalls2001Solid43/10031 complaints · 2 recalls2000Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1999Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1998Not rated–/1004 complaints · 0 recalls1997Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1996Not rated–/1004 complaints · 0 recalls1995Not rated–/10023 complaints · 0 recalls1994Solid50/10025 complaints · 1 recall1993Not rated–/1008 complaints · 3 recalls1992Not rated–/10023 complaints · 3 recalls1991Not rated–/1006 complaints · 3 recalls1990Not rated–/1006 complaints · 2 recalls1989Not rated–/10011 complaints · 2 recalls1988Not rated–/1007 complaints · 2 recalls1987Not rated–/10015 complaints · 2 recalls1986Not rated–/1009 complaints · 3 recalls1985Not rated–/1001 complaint · 2 recalls1984Not rated–/1003 complaints · 1 recall
Complaints by system

Most common BMW 325 problems

All model years combined: 223 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags4117
Engine and engine cooling358
Visibility241
Electrical system246
Power train161
Vehicle speed control156
Fuel system, gasoline132
Structure131
Service brakes, hydraulic133
12 other systems698
11 recalls

BMW 325 recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

37%Driver side: inflator module19V-698 · 2000–2002 · Oct 2, 2019 · 3,924 vehiclesDo not drive24%Driver side: inflator module17V-047 · 2000–2002 · Jan 20, 2017 · 230,117 vehiclesDo not drive47%Driver side: inflator module16V-071 · 2006–2012 · Feb 5, 2016 · 840,000 vehicles–Front: anchorage94V-151 · 1993–1994 · Aug 10, 1994 · 57,000 vehicles–Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings94V-066 · 1989–1993 · Apr 11, 1994 · 116,300 vehicles–Defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core93V-015 · 1984–1993 · Feb 1, 1993 · 375,000 vehicles–Windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring92V-140 · 1991 · Sep 29, 1992 · 2,942 vehicles–Seats92V-055 · 1992 · Apr 14, 1992 · 22,416 vehicles–Vehicle speed control: cables88V-031 · 1988 · Mar 15, 1988 · 1,256 vehicles–Brake lights: switch86V-151 · 1986–1987 · Nov 10, 1986 · 97,300 vehicles–Steering: steering wheel/handle bar86V-138 · 1985–1986 · Oct 20, 1986 · 120,261 vehicles
12 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the 325

  1. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · 2006–2012 · still open
    Open
  2. Rear Lamp IlluminationEA09019 · 2002 · closed Sep 28, 2011
    Led to recall 11V-438
  3. REAR LAMP ILLUMINATIONPE09036 · 2002 · closed Dec 22, 2009
    Led to recall 11V-438
  4. REAR LAMP ILLUMINATIONDP09002 · 2002 · closed Aug 6, 2009
    No recall
  5. AIR BAG WIRING FAILUREEA95013 · 1991–1993 · closed Jul 15, 1996
    Led to recall 96V-110
  6. HEATER CORE FAILUREEA92017 · 1984–1992 · closed Mar 30, 1993
    Led to recall 93V-015
  7. WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILUREPE92045 · null · closed Sep 30, 1992
    Led to recall 92V-140
  8. DEFECTIVE HEATER CORESDP92004 · 1986 · closed Jun 2, 1992
    No recall
  9. MSTR CYL FAILS TO RELEASEEA90002 · 1985–1987 · closed Oct 30, 1990
    No recall
  10. BRAKES DRAG & FAILPE89142 · 1985–1987 · closed Oct 12, 1989
    No recall