RoadVitals

2002 BMW 325 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
26
Latest Nov 20, 2017
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.
2
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 11, 2002

What this page shows

Our database holds 26 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 BMW 325. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 26 · page 1 of 2

Airbags
Filed Nov 20, 2017

"TAKATA RECALL" I AM TOLD THAT PART IS OUT OF STOCK AND DO NOT KNOW WHEN OR IF IT WILL BE IN STOCK.

NHTSA ID
11047503
Incident
Jan 1, 2002
Airbags
Filed May 19, 2017

TAKATA RECALL. WE ARE UNDER RECALL 17V047. FOR FOUR MONTHS, WE HAVE BEEN CALLING AND DOING ON-LINE CHATS WITH BMW OF MOBILE (MOBILE, ALABAMA). EVERY CALL OR CHAT ENDS WITH THEM ASKING FOR OUR PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS. THEY SAY THEY WILL CONTACT US SHORTLY WITH INFO ON WHEN OR IF THE RECALL CAN BE DONE. THEY HAVE NEVER ONCE CALLED OR EMAILED US BACK. I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT IT MIGHT TAKE A WHILE, BUT THEY COULD AT LEAST LET US KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WHILE WE ARE DRIVING THIS DANGEROUS CAR. IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT THIS, OR DO WE WAIT AND BE IGNORED UNTIL SOMETHING REALLY BAD HAPPENS? AREN'T THEY REQUIRED TO HONOR THIS RECALL?

NHTSA ID
10990525
Incident
Jan 30, 2017
Mileage
180,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 30, 2017

CAN NOT UNLOCK CAR IN ANY WAY. THE RELAYS IN THE GM5 MODULE WHICH GIVE POWER TO THE ACTUATORS BECOME WEAK AND CAN NOT OPEN CAR. CAR CAN NOT BE OPENED WITH CAR KEY AS KEY HOLE IS ALSO ELECTRONIC. IN THE END I CANT GET INSIDE THE CAR.

NHTSA ID
10981454
Incident
Apr 12, 2016
Mileage
10,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Feb 1, 2016

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY, THE PASSENGER IN THE RIGHT REAR SEAT LEANED FORWARD, EXTENDING THE SHOULDER SEAT BELT FROM ITS RETRACTOR. THE RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT WHEN THE PASSENGER SAT UPRIGHT AND WILL NOT RETRACT NOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON LEVEL GROUND.

NHTSA ID
10823382
Incident
Jan 13, 2016
Mileage
112,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 24, 2015

TAKATA RECALL. MY COMPLAINT CONCERNS THE DELAY IN PARTS AVAILABILITY TO FIX DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. THIS IS TAKING WAY TO LONG AND AM WORRIED AS TO POSSIBILITY OF INJURY, OR WORSE, IF INVOLVE IN AN ACCIDENT. IN MY OPINION "LACK OF PARTS" IS TAKING WAY TOO LONG .NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET.

NHTSA ID
10816177
Incident
Dec 24, 2015
Visibility
Filed Dec 12, 2014

THIRD WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE ON MY 2002 BMW 325 - THREE DIFFERENT WINDOWS. I FINALLY GOT SICK OF IT AND CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE WINDOWS GO DOWN & YOU CAN'T GET THEM BACK UP. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND EASILY FOUND TONS MORE COMPLAINTS. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART THAT BMW SHOULD BE FORCED TO MAKE GOOD ON - IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND ANYONE WHO ALREADY PAID TO FIX IT SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. CHEAP ROTTEN PARTS. HERE'S ONE EXAMPLE OF WHAT I SAW WHEN I SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET -. HTTP://REPAIRPAL.COM/REAR-WINDOW-REGULATOR-455 AND HERE IS ANOTHER ONE HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=802143. *TR

NHTSA ID
10663803
Incident
Dec 12, 2014
Mileage
55,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Dec 2, 2014
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND EVIDENCE OF A FIRE WAS PRESENT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTED AND BURN MARKS WERE PRESENT THROUGHOUT THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS SHATTERED AND THE CEILING PANEL WAS BURNED AND HANGING DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
10661564
Incident
Dec 1, 2014
Mileage
140,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 16, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS UNCONSCIOUS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE IMPACT. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL WHERE HE SUSTAINED BRUISING ON HIS NECK, THE SHOULDERS AND A SEVERE CONCUSSION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10633656
Incident
May 23, 2014
Mileage
80,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Jul 7, 2014

NONE OF THE PASSENGER LOCKS OPEN, AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE. NO ONE CAN GET OUT. *JS

NHTSA ID
10608800
Incident
Jul 6, 2014
Mileage
55,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 9, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 BMW 323. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A TURN THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN A DEALERSHIP WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10578561
Incident
Jul 12, 2005
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 18, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 BMW 325. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED INTERMEDIATELY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA ID
10436398
Incident
Aug 11, 2011
Mileage
101,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 31, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT ALL OF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT A RECALL WOULD BE ISSUED BY THE END OF OCTOBER FOR THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ID
10433715
Incident
Sep 30, 2011
Mileage
125,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 3, 2011

WE PURCHASED OUR BMW 325 NEW IN 2002. THIS CAR HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT AND WELL CARED FOR. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 70,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THIS CAR IS NOW ON IT'S 3RD SET OF CONTROL ARMS ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HEARD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT BMW REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL OR SERVICE NOTIFICATION. OBVIOUSLY THE PARTS THAT ARE BEING USED TO REPLACE THE PREVIOUS PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY ARE "OFFICIAL" BMW PARTS. IF THIS DEFECT WAS NOT DISCOVERED AND FAILED AT SLOWER OR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT COULD CAUSE LIFE THREATENING INJURIES OR WORSE. ADDITIONALLY THE FIX IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. CAN YOU LOOK INTO THIS? *TR

NHTSA ID
10428238
Incident
Oct 1, 2011
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Oct 26, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS HAVE STOPPED UNLOCKING. THE CONTACT HAD TO OPEN THE WINDOWS FROM INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THEN UNLOCK THEM SINCE THEY WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN USING THE KEY, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE UNLOCK THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, BUT NOT THE OTHER DOORS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE AND WAS CAUSED BY A FAILURE PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92000.

NHTSA ID
10362408
Incident
Jul 11, 2010
Mileage
88,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 30, 2010

BEGINNING MID-SUMMER 2010, THE DOOR LOCKS BEGAN WORKING ERRATICALLY. THE SITUATION HAS PROGRESSED AND OFTEN I MUST REACH THROUGH AN OPEN WINDOW TO BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE CENTER LOCKING SYSTEM ALSO DOES NOT RESPOND. THIS IA A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS HAZARD AS A PERSON COULD BECOME TRAPPED IN THE LOCKED VEHICLE AFTER A CRASH BECAUSE THE LOCKS DON'T WORK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10358504
Incident
Jul 1, 2010
Mileage
55,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 12, 2005

A FRIEND SAT IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT OF MY CAR AND PULLED THE SEAT BELT OUT - A BIT FURTHER THAN NORMAL, BUT NOT THAT FAR (SHE WEIGHS ABOUT 65KG, SO SHE IS NOT OBESE IN ANY WAY). THE AIR BAG LIGHT SUBSEQUENTLY CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID IT WAS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ($510) IN ORDER TO REPAIR. THIS WAS DONE AND THE LIGHT WENT "OFF" ONCE MORE - FOR THREE MONTHS. THE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT AS LONG AS THE LIGHT IS ON, THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. I MAINTAIN THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT THAT NEEDS ATTENTION AS IT IMPACTS SAFETY.

NHTSA ID
10125034
Incident
Feb 22, 2005
Mileage
61,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 7, 2005

DT: WHEN VEHICLE HAD ONLY 33 MILES EVERY SINGLE DUMMY LIGHT CAME ON THE CAR JUMPED FORWARD AND DIED OUT. IT HAD BEEN TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS IN DIFFERENT STATES , AND THEY SAID IT WAS ALWAYS SOMETHING DIFFERENT. WHILE GOING 65 MPH ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND VEHICLE STOPPED. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN, AND VEHICLE ALMOST HIT SOMEONE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10124498
Incident
Jun 7, 2005
Mileage
31,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 20, 2005

I HAVE A 2002 BMW 325CI WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH ABOUT 22000 MILES. MY CAR'S ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED WHILE IT WAS MOVING. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT AND ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. IT DIDN'T RESPOND WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS. I HAD TO TURN OFF AND RESTART THE ENGINE BEFORE IT WILL RUN AGAIN. AND THEN THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND ENGINE OIL LIGHT WENT AWAY. THIS HAS ALREADY HAPPENED TO MY CAR TWICE. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS ON A FREEWAY AT OVER 65 MPH. I THINK THAT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE PUT MY CAR IN PETER PAN BMW AT SAN MATEO TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I AM NOT SURE IF THEY CAN FIX IT. I'VE SEEN OTHER PEOPLE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM ON BIMMER.ORG. I'M REALLY DISAPPOINTED BY BMW'S QUALITY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10107619
Incident
Jan 7, 2005
Mileage
18,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 16, 2004

MY HUSBAND HAS 2 SETS OF TIRES ONE FOR SUMMER AND ONE FOR WINTER. THE SUMMER TIRES ARE THE ONES WITH THE DEFECT. THE TIRES HAVE ONLY BEEN USED FOR 2 SUMMERS AND THE CAR IS NOT DRIVEN A LOT. THE TIRES STILL HAVE ABOUT 60% THREAD ON THEM. RECENTLY WE NOTICED THAT THE TIRES ARE BUBBLED ON THE INSIDE AND PREVIOUSLY ONE CRACKED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I FEEL LIKE THE TIRES SHOULD STILL BE GOOD FOR ANOTHER 2 YEARS, BUT WITH THE BUBBLES I'M AFRAID THEY'LL BLOW UP. THE TIRES ARE DUNLOP W10 18" 235/4018. PLEASE HELP, I'VE LOOKED ON THEIR WEBSITE AND THERE IS NOT CONTACT. THE STORE WHERE WE PURCHASE THEM IS CLOSED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10081207
Incident
Jun 30, 2004
Other / unspecified
Filed Apr 1, 2004

VEHICLE CAME OFF THE JACK WHEN NORMAL FORCE WAS APPLIED TO PULL THE WHEEL OFF. ALL THE BOLTS HAD BEEN REMOVED. VEHICLE WAS JACKED UP WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE WHEEL REMAINED ON THE VEHICLE WHICH PREVENTED IT FROM FALLING ON THE CONSUMER. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
10061467
Incident
Feb 29, 2004
Mileage
28,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Mar 8, 2004

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10061563
Incident
Feb 26, 2004
Mileage
235,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 2, 2004

MY 2002 BMW 325CI ENGINE STALLED AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO EXIT THE FREEWAY. THE DASH LIGHTS LIT UP AND MY ENGINE SHUTOFF. AS I WAS ROLLING TO A STOP (GOOD THING NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OR BEHIND ME), I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE STARTED BACK UP AND I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE. I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH STEPTRONIC. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONE OTHER TIME A FEW MONTHS BACK WHEN LEAVING A GAS STATION WHERE I NEEDED TO COME TO A STOP AND PRESSED THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. I DIDN'T THINK OF IT AS A PROBLEM THEN BUT COMING OFF THE FREEWAY AT 65MPH TO BRAKING AND THE ENGINE SHUTTING DOWN NOW THAT'S A PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN I PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE, THAT IT TAKE ABOUT 3-5 SECONDS FOR THE GEAR TO ENGAGE FROM PARK OR DRIVE. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER SINCE YESTERDAY; CREVIER BMW IS TALKING WITH BMW NA IN NEW JERSEY ABOUT POSSIBLE FIXES FOR THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE A SERVICE LOANER IN THE MEANTIME.*AK

NHTSA ID
10060156
Incident
Feb 29, 2004
Mileage
24,312 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 12, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE REAR LEFT TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING, ROAD HAZARD CAUSE. *AK *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10032247
Incident
Aug 7, 2003
Mileage
13,275 mi
Electrical
Filed May 1, 2003

ELECTRICAL HARNESS FAILURE

NHTSA ID
10016839
Incident
Apr 28, 2003
Mileage
15,650 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 5, 2002

I PURCHASED A NEW 2002 BMW 325I ON 12/4/01 EQUIPPED WITH SEVERAL OPTIONS INCLUDING A SUNROOF. I WAS DRIVING INTO WORK ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2002 AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE GLASS ON MY SUNROOF EXPLODED AND SHOWERED GLASS ALL OVER MY HEAD, THE INTERIOR OF MY CAR AND APPARENTLY SOME PIECES NICKED THE PAINT ON THE TRUNK. BMW SAYS THAT IT WAS MOST LIKELY A ROCK THAT HIT THE GLASS. ALTHOUGH I HAVE FULL-GLASS COVERAGE, I ASKED MY INSURANCE COMPANY, LIBERTY MUTUAL, TO SEND A CLAIMS ADJUSTER. HIS FINDINGS WERE INCONCLUSIVE; COULD HAVE BEEN A ROCK, DEFECT, ICE BUILDUP, ON THE GLASS, ETC. I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY. A COMMON HIGHWAY STONE SHOULD NOT CAUSE SUCH A VIOLENT REACTION. BMW HAS BEEN DISSAPOINTEDLY UNRESPONSIVE AND UNCARING REGARDING THIS ISSUE. *AK

NHTSA ID
757799
Incident
Jan 25, 2002

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.

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .