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BMW 325xiYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 306 NHTSA owner complaints across 13 model years, no BMW 325xi year stands out as one to avoid, and the strongest years are 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. The 325xi has 12 safety recalls on record.

BMW 325xi
Years to avoidNoneUse caution: 2006Best years'02 '03 '04 '05Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints306Top: Air bagsSafety recalls122000–2012 model years

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

Best & worst years

BMW 325xi 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 325xi median. Tap a year for its full report.

'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2012Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls2011Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls2010Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls2009Not rated–/1001 complaint · 3 recalls2008Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls2007Not rated–/1000 complaints · 3 recalls2006Caution40/100110 complaints · 6 recalls2005Best70/10027 complaints · 4 recalls2004Solid49/10055 complaints · 4 recalls2003Best67/10031 complaints · 5 recalls2002Solid50/10068 complaints · 6 recalls2001Not rated–/10014 complaints · 2 recalls2000Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall
Complaints by system

Most common BMW 325xi problems

All model years combined: 306 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 bags14112
Electrical system413
Exterior lighting324
Engine294
Steering220
Suspension160
Seat belts140
Power train120
Latches/locks/linkages110
13 other systems608
12 recalls

BMW 325xi recalls

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

19%Air bags: frontal24V-513 · 2006–2012 · Jul 3, 2024 · 394,029 vehicles42%Passenger side: inflator module20V-018 · 2000–2005 · Jan 15, 2020 · 292,948 vehiclesDo not drive77%Driver side: inflator module20V-017 · 2006–2012 · Jan 15, 2020 · 59,965 vehicles31%Emission control: crankcase (pcv)19V-273 · 2006 · Apr 4, 2019 · 184,505 vehicles29%Air bags14V-428 · 2001–2005 · Jun 11, 2018 · 574,007 vehiclesDo not drive50%Electrical system: wiring17V-676 · 2006–2011 · Oct 25, 2017 · 702,965 vehicles30%Sensor: occupant classification17V-428 · 2006 · Jul 6, 2017 · 2,158 vehicles32%Driver side: inflator module15V-318 · 2002–2005 · May 28, 2015 · 419,235 vehiclesDo not drive45%Sensor: occupant classification13V-564 · 2006 · Nov 12, 2013 · 76,565 vehicles–Air bags13V-172 · 2002–2003 · May 2, 2013 · 43,204 vehiclesDo not drive–Exterior lighting: brake lights11V-438 · 2002–2005 · Aug 26, 2011 · 241,000 vehicles–Disc: rotor02V-088 · 2002 · Mar 18, 2002 · 799 vehicles
6 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the 325xi

  1. Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA15001 · 2004–2005 · still open
    Led to recall 14V-668
  2. Air Bag Inflator RupturePE14016 · 2004–2005 · closed Mar 2, 2015
    Led to recall 13V-172
  3. Rear Lamp IlluminationEA09019 · 2002–2005 · closed Sep 28, 2011
    Led to recall 11V-438
  4. REAR LAMP ILLUMINATIONPE09036 · 2002–2005 · closed Dec 22, 2009
    Led to recall 11V-438
  5. REAR LAMP ILLUMINATIONDP09002 · 2002–2005 · closed Aug 6, 2009
    No recall
  6. DELAYED TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENTDP04001 · 2004 · closed May 27, 2004
    No recall