RoadVitals

1988 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.
7
Latest Sep 11, 2000
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.
1
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.
1
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 BMW 325, most frequently naming the other / unspecified, transmission and fuel system categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names 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

  • Other / unspecified228.6%
  • Transmission228.6%
  • Fuel system114.3%
  • Seat belts114.3%
  • Visibility114.3%

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
88V031000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

Mar 15, 1988
1,256 units potentially affected
The defect: THE OIL DIPSTICK TUBE ATTACHING BRACKET MAY HAVE BEEN BENT DURING PRODUCTION OR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, REDUCING THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE DIPSTICK RING AND THE THROTTLE BELLCRANK LEVER.
The risk: THIS REDUCED CLEARANCE MAY INHIBIT THE RETURN OF THETHROTTLE TO A FULLY CLOSED IDLE POSITION, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ISRELEASED.
The remedy: REQUIRES THE CUTTING OFF THE OUTBOARD END OF THE THROTTLE BELLCRANK LEVER TO PROVIDE NECESSARY CLEARANCE.
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

Recent owner complaints

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

Visibility
Filed Sep 11, 2000

PRIOR TO RECALL 93V-015 THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS AND CONSTANT PROBLEMS AND REPAIRS REGARDING THE COOLANT SYSTEM, CONSUMER ASKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT. *YH

NHTSA ID
554493
Other / unspecified
Filed Sep 8, 1999
1 injury reported

WHEN CONSUMER'S HUSBAND WAS CHANGING THE LEFT FRONT TIRE, THE JACK COLLAPSED AND BROKE HIS LEFT FOREARM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
847183
Seat belts
Filed Apr 2, 1996

WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT COMES LOOSE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ID
982234
Other / unspecified
Filed Feb 26, 1996
Crash reported1 injury reported

THE JACK CAME WITH CAR COLLAPSED ON THE PERSON WORKING ON THE CAR BREAKING HIS ARM AND DENTING THE DOOR *AK

NHTSA ID
979699
Incident
Feb 6, 1996
Transmission
Filed Jan 24, 1996

THE TRANSFER CASE ON THE VEHICLE FROZE UP AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP ABRUPTLY WHILE DRIVING.PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA ID
978112
Incident
Jan 9, 1996
Transmission
Filed Jul 27, 1995

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AW

NHTSA ID
484448
Incident
Jul 1, 1994
Fuel system
Filed Mar 30, 1995

VEHICLE STALLS IN TRAFFIC DUE TO DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP. TT

NHTSA ID
962818
Incident
Mar 30, 1989

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
1988Viewing721—
1987152365.9
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.