Menu

2002 BMW 325iProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 162 owner complaints about the 2002 BMW 325i, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-428 the manufacturer reports only 29% of affected cars repaired.

2002 BMW 325i
47
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.1× the 325i median · #3 of 10 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Lowest repair rate 29%Owner complaints16233 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage125kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 17, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 BMW 325i has problems

162 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 bags528
Exterior lighting4412
Electrical system214
Visibility171
Engine and engine cooling92
Power train70
Structure61
Steering41
Engine42
12 other systems253

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

2002 BMW 325i recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

42%repaired · 2021 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 20V-018 · Jan 15, 2020 · 292,948 vehicles · 123,637 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

29%repaired · 2016 Q1

Air bags

Do not drive

Recall 14V-428 · Jun 11, 2018 · 574,007 vehicles · 163,619 repaired

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

32%repaired · 2017 Q4

Driver side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 15V-318 · May 28, 2015 · 419,235 vehicles · 133,934 repaired

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Air bags

Do not drive

Recall 13V-172 · May 2, 2013 · 43,204 vehicles

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Exterior lighting: brake lights

Recall 11V-438 · Aug 26, 2011 · 241,000 vehicles

Risk. INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.

Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other 325i year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 325i median. How we score

'92'93'94'95'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 BMW 325i, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REAR LAMP ILLUMINATIONDP09002 · closed Aug 6, 2009
    No recall
  2. Rear Lamp IlluminationEA09019 · closed Sep 28, 2011
    Led to recall 11V-438
  3. REAR LAMP ILLUMINATIONPE09036 · closed Dec 22, 2009
    Led to recall 11V-438
In owners' words

What 325i owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I got a notice in the mail for an airbag recall. I called the number [PHONE]) in early December. I was told to call Fremont BMW [PHONE]) The first question they asked was: Did you buy your vehicle from us? I told them that the car is not currently registered. They told me to schedule a tow on my…
Complaint 11447327 · Jan 13, 2022
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V018000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, SHORTLY AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF ONTARIO (1350 AUTO CENTER DR,…
Complaint 11384625 · Dec 22, 2020 · 161,000 miles
I HAVE MADE SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS WITH SWICKLEY PA DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH NO SUCCESS. THEY NEVER SHOW UP OR CALL TO CANCEL.THEY SET UP 3 RENTAL CAR DELIVERY DAYS NEVER CAME. I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. I'VE EVEN SAID DON'T WORRY ABOUT RENTAL JUS TO HURRY AND…
Complaint 11311200 · Feb 24, 2020

Own a 2002 325i?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.