RoadVitals

2002 BMW 325 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
26
Latest Nov 20, 2017
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 BMW 325, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Airbags620.0%
  • Electrical620.0%
  • Visibility310.0%
  • Interior & seats310.0%
  • Exterior lighting26.7%
  • Steering26.7%
  • Tires & wheels26.7%
  • Engine26.7%
  • Suspension13.3%
  • Other / unspecified13.3%
  • Seat belts13.3%
  • Transmission13.3%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

"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 · filed Nov 20, 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 · filed May 19, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 30, 2017

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 · filed Dec 2, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Dec 12, 2014

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 · filed Mar 8, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 7, 2014

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 · filed Oct 26, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Nov 18, 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 · filed Oct 31, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Oct 3, 2011

THE STEERING COLUMN IS KINKED AN INCH TO THE LEFT. I DO NOT MEAN THE WHEEL IS TURNED TO ONE O'CLOCK, I MEAN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL IS 1 INCH CLOSER TO THE DASH BOARD THAN THE RIGHT. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THE COLUMN IS WHERE IT SHOULD BE UNDER THE HOOD. THE DEALER SAID THAT A NUMBER OF COUPES HAVE THIS PROBLEM. WHEN I SPOKE TO BMW THEY SAID TALK WITH THE DEALER. I HAVE ASKED FOR A LETTER TO SAY THIS IS SAFE AND BMW HAS REFUSED TO ISSUE SUCH A LETTER.*AK

NHTSA ID 756694 · filed Jan 11, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 16, 2004

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

NHTSA ID 10032247 · filed Sep 12, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 9, 2014

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 · filed Jan 20, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Oct 3, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 1, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Feb 1, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Mar 2, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .