RoadVitals

1987 BMW 325

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Oct 14, 2003
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Feb 1, 1993
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5

Overview

Our database contains 15 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 BMW 325, most frequently naming the engine, visibility and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine624.0%
  • Visibility520.0%
  • Electrical312.0%
  • Fuel system28.0%
  • Heating & air conditioning28.0%
  • Driver assistance14.0%
  • Body & structure14.0%
  • Interior & seats14.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
93V015000

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

Feb 1, 1993
375,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND A RESULTING INCREASE IN SYSTEM PRESSURE.
The risk: VEHICLES OPERATED UNDER THIS INCREASED COOLING SYSTEMPRESSURE CONDITION CAN SUFFER DAMAGE OR FAILURE OF PARTS OF THE COOLING SYSTEMSUCH AS (1) LEAKAGE FROM A COOLANT HOSE, (2) LEAKAGE OF THE RADIATOR OREXPANSION TANK, (3) DISCONNECTION OF A HOSE FROM A PIPE OR A FITTING, AND (4)CRACKS IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAKAGE. IN SOME CASES,BOILING COOLANT CAN CONTACT THE LOWER RIGHT LEG OF THE DRIVER RESULTING INBURNS. ALSO, ESCAPING COOLANT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE VAPORFOGGING OF THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE WINDOWS, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A THERMOSTATIC BYPASS VALVE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO CONTROL COOLANT TEMPERATURE IN THE HEATER CORE. ALSO, A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP WILL BE INSTALLED, TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov
86V151000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Nov 10, 1986
97,300 units potentially affected
The defect: BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH COULD OVERHEAT, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO MELTING OF PLASTIC INTERNAL PARTS IN AREA OF ELECTRICAL CONTACTS.
The risk: CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SWITCH PLUNGER COULD JAM, RENDERING BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER INOPERATIVE OR CONTINUOUSLY ILLIMINATED, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL OPERATION.
The remedy: REPLACE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH REVISED SWITCH WITH INCREASED ELECTRICAL LOAD CAPACITY.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA92017ClosedEngineering Analysis

HEATER CORE FAILURE

Opened Jun 2, 1992
Closed Mar 30, 1993

There is no summary currently available

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEMLed to recall 93V015000
EA90002ClosedEngineering Analysis

MSTR CYL FAILS TO RELEASE

Opened Oct 12, 1989
Closed Oct 30, 1990

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PE89142ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

BRAKES DRAG & FAIL

Opened Jul 14, 1989
Closed Oct 12, 1989

SUMMARY:THE BRAKES REPORTEDLY BEGAN TO DRAG AND LOCK WITHOUTWARNING DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING ON 4 VEHICLES.THE CAUSE IS NOTKNOWN AT THIS TIME.===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 15
Engine
Filed Oct 14, 2003

WHILE DRIVING OIL LIGHT CAME ON AFTER BEING SERVICED 5 DAYS AGO. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MECHANIC CHECK ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR PROBLEMS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10042844
Incident
Oct 8, 2003
Mileage
82,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Sep 27, 2001

VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER 93V015000. COOLANT LEAKING INTO VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE DUE TO A CRACK IN HEATER CORE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
896970
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 15, 2000

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION DUE TO FAILURE OF THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE, ON ONE OCCASION THE SURGE OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE WENT ONTO A CURB WHICH DAMAGED THE OIL PAN, CONSUMER FEELS THE DEALER SHOULD REIMBURSE HER FOR THE REPAIRS. *SLC

NHTSA ID
557323
Incident
Jul 11, 2000
Visibility
Filed Aug 29, 2000

WHILE DRIVING COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. HOSE BLEW OFF COOLANT RESERVOIR. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND HOSE WAS REATTACHED. *AK RECALL (93V-015) WORK DONE ON THE COOLANT SYSTEM, AFTER THE RECALL WAS DONE THE VEHICLE RUNNING HOTTER THAN BEFORE. *YH

NHTSA ID
869063
Incident
Aug 15, 2000
Engine
Filed Aug 24, 2000

COSNUMER RECEIVED RECALL 93V015000 IN EARLY JUNE. CONSUMER CONTACTED UNION PARK BMW LOCATED IN WILMINGTON DELAWARE, TELE#302-658-7245, AND WAS TOLD PARTS WERE ON ORDER, BUT DOES NOT KNOW WHEN PARTS WILL COME IN. CONSUMER HAS BEEN WAITING FOR OVER 2 MONTHS.*AK

NHTSA ID
868610
Visibility
Filed Jul 27, 2000

WHILE DRIVING WINDOW GOT FOGGY AND COOLANT WAS LEAKING ON FRONT SEAT FLOOR. TECHNICIAN EXPLAINED THAT CLAMPS WERE TOO TIGHT, FORCING THE COOLANT TO OVERFLOW JUST LIKE STATED IN RECALL 93V015000. *AK

NHTSA ID
866175
Incident
Jul 21, 2000
Engine
Filed Dec 2, 1998
Fire reported

DRIVING AT 55 MPH, ALL INSTRUMENTS READING NORMAL, HEARD A "BANG" , LOST ALL ENGINE POWER AND BRAKES,POWER STEERING. WAS NOT TIMING BELT BECAUSE WHEN DOWNSHIFTING TO ARREST VEHICLE TACHOMETER WAS WORKING. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART IN NEUTRAL WHILE COASTING, NOR WOULD IT "POP" START. COASTED TO A STOP USING EMERGENCY BRAKE. WHEN STOPPED, NOTICED FLAMES FROM UNDER HOOD. LEFT VEHICLE AND WATCHED IT BURN TO OBLIVION. CAUSE OF FIRE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME, INSURANCE WON'T INVESTIGATE BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT ANY COVERAGE FOR FIRE.

NHTSA ID
701068
Incident
Nov 27, 1998
Fuel system
Filed Nov 8, 1998

ABLE TO SMELL THE GAS FUME, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. THE FUEL LEAKAGE MAY BE RELATED TO THE TYPE OF GASOLINE ADDITIVE (NTBE?) IN THE CALIFORNIA,

NHTSA ID
700424
Incident
Aug 4, 1998

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 325 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012011—
2011011—
2010011—
2009011—
2008111—
2007011—
2006811—
2003900—
2002262352.6
2001312054.6
2000020—
1999200—
1998400—
1997100—
1996400—
1995230042.2
1994251044.5
1993831—
1992233258.9
1991632—
1990621—
1989112159.8
1988721—
1987Viewing152365.9
1986934—
1985125—
1984311—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.