RoadVitals

1993 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.
8
Latest Nov 18, 1998
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.
3
Latest Aug 10, 1994
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.
3
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 BMW 325, most frequently naming the fuel system, airbags and body & structure categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 4 manufacturer communications are 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

  • Fuel system325.0%
  • Airbags325.0%
  • Body & structure216.7%
  • Visibility18.3%
  • Electrical18.3%
  • Brakes18.3%
  • Engine18.3%

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

3 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
94V151000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Aug 10, 1994
57,000 units potentially affected
The defect: IN A FMVSS NO. 208 30 MILES-PER-HOUR COMPLIANCE TEST, AN UNBELTED TEST DRIVER DUMMY'S CHEST MAXIMUM RESULTANT ACCELERATION WAS 70.8 G'S, WHICH EXCEEDS THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE VALUE OF 60 G'S. ALSO, THE UNBELTED PASSENGER DUMMY'S LEFT FEMUR MAXIMUM LOAD WAS 2361 LBS, WHICH EXCEEDS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE VALUE OF 2250 LBS. THE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
The risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE OCCUPANT WILL BE SUBJECTED TO AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
The remedy: ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MODELS ONLY, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SUPPORT CROSSMEMBER WITH A CROSSMEMBER USED ON THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION MODEL. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION REAR BUSHING SUPPORTS WILL BE REPLACED WITH BUSHING HAVING DIFFERENT PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS. THE STEERING COLUMN FRONT SUPPORT BEARING AT THE FIREWALL WILL BE REPLACED WITH A MODIFIED PART USING A TEFLON INNER SURFACE AND TEFLON SPRAY WILL BE APPLIED TO THE COLUMN HOUSING IN THE AREA OF THE BEARING. A BRACE WILL BE ADDED BETWEEN THE KNEE BOLSTER SUPPORT AND THE STEERING COLUMN.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov
94V066000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Apr 11, 1994
116,300 units potentially affected
The defect: FEED FUEL HOSES CAN HARDEN AND "SET" OVER TIME, ALLOWING A SEEPAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING. THE CLAMP USED TO HOLD THE HOSE TO THE FITTING IS UNABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE HARDENING OF THE FEED FUEL HOSE.
The risk: FUEL SEEPAGE BETWEEN THE FEED FUEL HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING CAN RESULT IN FREE FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
The remedy: A REDESIGNED FEED FUEL HOSE AND HOSE CLAMP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ALLEVIATE THE FUEL SEEPAGE.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView 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

Safety investigations

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

EA95013ClosedEngineering Analysis

AIR BAG WIRING FAILURE

Opened Mar 31, 1995
Closed Jul 15, 1996

There is no summary currently available

AIR BAGSLed to recall 96V110000

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Nov 18, 1998

325IS - TWO REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS HAVE COMPLETELY BROKEN. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF ABUSE/ACCIDENT. REPAIR ESTIMATES HAVE BEEN WRITTEN IN THE $2500-$4000 RANGE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE MATTER I'VE FOUND THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE ENCOUNTERED THE PROBLEM. I EVEN SPOKE TO A BMW BODY SHOP EMPLOYEE WHO BELIEVES IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. I ALSO FOUND ANOTHER 93 325IS OWNER IN SAN FRANCISCO WHO WAS ABLE TO GET BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TO REPAIR HIS CAR (OUT OF WARRANTY) AT NO COST. I'M CURRENTLY WORKING WITH BMWNA AND MY LOCAL DEALER TO ACHIEVE THE SAME THING.

NHTSA ID
700718
Incident
Aug 1, 1998
Fuel system
Filed Aug 6, 1997

RECALLS # 94V15100 AND 96V11100; NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE FROM MANUFACTURER ABOUT EITHER RECALL, AND NO RESPONSE, JUST A REFERRAL TO DEALERSHIP. *AK

NHTSA ID
814228
Incident
Jul 15, 1997
AirbagsBrakesEngine+1 more
Filed Jul 17, 1997

OWNER HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY NOTIFIED OF BRAKE RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
520122
Airbags
Filed Jul 1, 1996
Crash reported2 injuries reported

THE VEHICLE WAS IN A SEVERE FRONTAL COLLISION WHICH INVOLVED A ROLL OVER AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ID
986343
Incident
Apr 25, 1996
Airbags
Filed Apr 25, 1996
Crash reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONT-END COLLISION AND DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ID
983486
Incident
Apr 8, 1996
Fuel system
Filed Mar 23, 1996

GASOLINE ODOR PERSISTS EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT OF GAS TANK/FUEL LINES AS PER RECALL. (94V066000) *DSH

NHTSA ID
502969
Incident
Jul 1, 1995
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Jul 13, 1995

NOISY FRONT WINDOWS.

NHTSA ID
484111
Incident
Jun 30, 1993
Electrical
Filed Feb 22, 1995
Fire reported

DRIVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM DEVELOPED.RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE. TT

NHTSA ID
960390
Incident
Feb 18, 1995

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.

41/03/96

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

WIND NOISE DIAGNOSTICS. *TW

MSG1016

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

RECALL 96V111 - THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN INVOLVES THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *TW

120794(4116)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

ENGINE WILL NOT START, PRIMARILY DURING COLD WEATHER OR HIGH ALTITUDE. *TW

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
1993Viewing831—
1992233258.9
1991632—
1990621—
1989112159.8
1988721—
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.