1992 BMW 325I Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1992 BMW 325I, 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
- Engine1427.5%
- Body & structure59.8%
- Visibility59.8%
- Electrical47.8%
- Seat belts47.8%
- Interior & seats35.9%
- Fuel system35.9%
- Airbags23.9%
- Tires & wheels23.9%
- Brakes23.9%
- Powertrain (other)12.0%
- Heating & air conditioning12.0%
- Steering12.0%
- Suspension12.0%
- Driver assistance12.0%
- Exterior lighting12.0%
- Other / unspecified12.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TOOK CAR THROUGH CAR WASH. CAR CAME OUT DEAD. TURNS OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHERE WATER GETS INTO THE MAIN ECM COMPUTER AND SHORTS IT OUT. THIS IS TERRIBLE. BMW SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS. $1100 FOR GOING THROUGH A SIMPLE CAR WASH. OWNERS SHOULD BE CAUTIONED. MR
THE WATER PUMP LOCKED UP, THE FAN BLADE BROKE AND THE BELTS BURNED, DEALER REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, FAN AND BELTS, THE OIL PAN GASKET WAS REPLACED DUE TO AN OIL LEAK. *SLC
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE ENTERING INTO THE VEHICLE THE DOOR FAILED TO OPENED. THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO OPEN PROPERLY. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTACT THE DEALER FOR APPOINTMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
1) MOUNTS FOR REAR SUBFRAME TO BODY NOT STRONG ENOUGH. THEY FLEX AND CRACK LEADING TO A CHAIN REACTION THEN THE REAR END RIPS OFF. 2)I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY TWO WAY ROAD. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CARS REAR END IS MOVING TO THE LEFT AND I LOST CONTROL FOR A LITTLE. LUCKILY DIDNT CRASH INTO ANOTHER CAR. THEN I REGAINED CONTROL AND DROVE BACK TO MY HOUSE WHICH WAS 1 STREET AWAY. 3) I HAD TO HAVE IT TOW TRUCKED TO A GARAGE WHERE THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE SHEET METAL PART WHERE THE WHOLE REAR END MOUNTS TO. DOCUMENTED AND COST ME OVER $2000.00 THIS IS NOT AN ISCOLATED INCIDENT CHECK OUT THIS FORUM: HTTP://BIMMER.ROADFLY.ORG/BMW/FORUMS/E36/FORUM.PHP BMW KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY MAKE REINFORCEMENT PLATES WHICH WE MUST BUY AND PAY FOR THE INSTALLATION.*AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE WATER PUMP LOCKED UP, THE FAN BLADE BROKE AND THE BELTS BURNED, DEALER REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, FAN AND BELTS, THE OIL PAN GASKET WAS REPLACED DUE TO AN OIL LEAK. *SLC
FREQUENT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILURE, SHORT LIFE MUFFLER, COSTLY SERVICE REMIND LIGHT RESET W/ DEARLER ONLY. *AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE WATER PUMP LOCKED UP, THE FAN BLADE BROKE AND THE BELTS BURNED, DEALER REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, FAN AND BELTS, THE OIL PAN GASKET WAS REPLACED DUE TO AN OIL LEAK. *SLC
DME UNIT GOT WET FROM A NORMAL CAR WASH; BMW BULLETIN ITEM BUT NOT RECALL; DEALERSHIP DRILLED A HOLE IN THE BOX PER BMWS INSTRUCTIONS AND SAID THAT WOULD PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT 3 YEARS LATER; THE BULLETIN "FIX" WAS INSUFFICIENT. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS THE FAILED COMPUTER FLOODS THE ENGINE WITH GASOLINE CAUSES GAS TO OVERFLOW OUT THE DIPSTICK ALL OVER THE PLACE; MY RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY MANY PEOPLE AND IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT BMW SHOULD HAVE RECALLED AND MADE A REAL "FIX." IT COSTS OVER $1000 TO REPAIR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM CAUSED BY WEAR AND TEAR, THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT BMW SHOULD STEP UP TO. ELECTRONIC COMPUTER PARTS SHOULD BE IN A WATER TIGHT LOCATION WHERE REGULAR WATER FLOW CANNOT COMPROMISE THE COMPONENTS. THIS IS A DEFECT AND A SAFETY ISSUE.*AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT IS LOOSE AND DOES NOT RETRACT BACK TO IT'S ORIGINAL POSITION. NLM
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FELL APART.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 BMW 325I. WHENEVER THE CONTACT LOCKS THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, HE IS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THEM FROM INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ONCE HE LOCKS THE DOORS, THE DOOR HANDLES AND LOCKS FAIL INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 200,000.
I LOCKED MY 1992 BMW 325I WITH THE KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH MY FRIEND INSIDE (I DID NOT REALIZE HE HAD NOT GOTTEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE YET). I HAD DROPPED THE KEY WHEN I HEARD HIM POUND ON THE WINDOW (LOOSING THE KEY IN SOME BRUSH). WHEN THIS SITUATION HAD TRANSPIRED I FOUND OUT THAT HE COULD NOT OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS FROM INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IN ANY MANNER. IF THIS WERE A SMALL CHILD AND LETS SAY A FORGETFUL GRANDPARENT THE CHILD WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IN ANY MANNER. (OR WITH THE WEIRD MOTHER DROWNING KIDS AND UNCLES LOCKING KIDS IN HIS BASEMENT THAT WE HEAR ABOUT ON THE NEWS) THIS CAR COULD BE USED AS A POTENTIAL PRISON. IF THIS WERE ANY PERSON(S) WHO ARE NOT VERY MUSCULAR THE CAR COULD POTENTIALLY BE A DEATH TRAP IF SOMEONE HAD NOT KNOWN THEY WERE INSIDE OF THE CAR. IN ADDITION, KNOWING THEY ARE INSIDE THE CAR AND CALLING A LOCKSMITH, THE LOCKSMITH IS NOT ABLE TO GET INSIDE OF THE CAR WITHOUT DOING SUPER EXCESSIVE DAMAGE TO THE LOCKS OR BREAKING A WINDOW. IN WHICH CASE BREAKING A WINDOW IN SUCH A SMALL SEDAN COULD AND IN MY CASE RESULTED FROM MY FRIEND ENDING UP WITH CHUCKS OF GLASS IN HIS SKIN AND I BROKE MY HAND GETTING THROUGH THE WINDOW BECAUSE WE WERE IN THE DESERT WITH NOTHING AROUND TO BE ABLE TO BREAK THE WINDOW. IF IT IS REQUIRED TO HAVE A TRUNK RELEASE INSIDE OF A TRUNK TO LET OCCUPANTS OUT. WHY CAN YOU BE LOCKED INSIDE OF YOUR OWN CAR? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE WATER PUMP LOCKED UP, THE FAN BLADE BROKE AND THE BELTS BURNED, DEALER REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, FAN AND BELTS, THE OIL PAN GASKET WAS REPLACED DUE TO AN OIL LEAK. *SLC
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A FIRE STARTED INSIDE OF VEHICLE. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FIRE MAY HAVE STARTED UNDER THE DASH.*AKAFTER FORENSIC STUDY, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS CUASED BY FUEL SEEPAGE AS A RESULT OF FUEL LINES HARDENING AND LEAKING. THERE IS A RECALL RELATED TO THE INCIDENT FOR BMW'S 525I AND OTHER MAKES. *JG
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE AT A STOP ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AT A FRONTAL IMPACT IN WHICH DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND DID NOT PROTECT OCCUPANT IN THIS CRASH. NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH AIRBAG. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
RECALL 98V178000 CONCERNING NEWLY DESIGNED RADIATOR CAP. A RECALL REPAIRSHAD NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES, OTER PARTS MALFUNCTIONED, INCLUDING WATER PUMP/THEROMAST/GASKET/O-RING, EVAPORATOR, ETC, FOR WHICH CONSUMER SHOULD GET REIMBURSTED BECAUSE IT WAS CAUSED BY THIS DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING AT 70MPH ON I71 WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENABLED WHEN I FELT VIBRATIONS FOR APPROX. 20 SECONDS AND THEN MY RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. I HAD DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES UP TO THIS POINT AND I VERIFIED THAT TIRE TO BE 36 PSI AS RECENTLY AS THAT MORNING. THE TIRE HAS NO PUNCTURE DAMAGE AND THE BEAD IS STILL FULLY SET ON BOTH SIDES. THE TIRE SEPARATED BETWEEN THE SIDEWALL AND TIRE FACE. TIRE RACK REFUSED TO RESOLVE THE SITUATION IN A WAY THAT I WOULD NOT INCUR FURTHER OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS, AND THE TIRE MANUFACTURER ACTED CONFUSED AND FAILED TO COMPREHEND THE INFORMATION I WAS GIVING THEM. I ENDED UP FILING A VISA CHARGEBACK AGAINST TIRE RACK. I HAVE THIS SAME TIRE ON TWO CARS AND WE'VE SEEN THESE TIRES FAIL ON OUR OTHER VEHICLE BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS SIMPLY BAD LUCK. THIS TIME I'M ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT THIS TIRE FAILED DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE TIRE IS STILL CURRENTLY SET ON THE WHEEL AND HAS BEEN UNTOUCHED, AND IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. THE TIRE IN QUESTION IS A GENERAL ALTIMAX HP, IT'S NOT AVAILABLE IN THE NHTSA SYSTEM. *TR
THIS JUNE OF 2005 WHILE MY 92BMW325I WAS PARKED AT THE MALL, THE BACK PASSENGER TIRE I NOTICED BLEW UP. WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO PIT STOP TO HAVE THE TIRE VULCANIZED, THEY SAID THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING W/IT BUT BE REPLACED. I REPLACED IT AT SAM'S CLUB W/AP205/60R15H TOUR. I ASKED IF THE OTHER 3 TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED & THEY SAID "NO". LAST SUNDAY JUL 24 WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 26, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW UP & CAUSED A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE & FORTUNATELY SPARED ANY INJURY TO MY SON. I BOUGHT THESE 4 P205/60R15 OR 15-205/60-15GT COOPER COBRA TIRES FROM STROBEL TIRE CO. WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR OUR INSURANCE CO. TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. I READ ABOUT A LAWSUIT ABOUT COOPER TIRE SO I CALLED THE LAWFIRM HANDLING SUCH BUT THE PERSON I TALKED W/SAID THAT W/NO INJURY, IT WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO PURSUE A CASE SO SHE DIRECTED TO CALL 18883274236, HENCE THIS COMPLAINT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE WATER PUMP LOCKED UP, THE FAN BLADE BROKE AND THE BELTS BURNED, DEALER REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, FAN AND BELTS, THE OIL PAN GASKET WAS REPLACED DUE TO AN OIL LEAK. *SLC
SEAL AROUND THE HYDRAULIC PISTON WITHIN THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS HAD ERODED, DEALER REPLACED FRONT CALIPERS. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE WATER PUMP LOCKED UP, THE FAN BLADE BROKE AND THE BELTS BURNED, DEALER REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, FAN AND BELTS, THE OIL PAN GASKET WAS REPLACED DUE TO AN OIL LEAK. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE WATER PUMP LOCKED UP, THE FAN BLADE BROKE AND THE BELTS BURNED, DEALER REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, FAN AND BELTS, THE OIL PAN GASKET WAS REPLACED DUE TO AN OIL LEAK. *SLC
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE WATER PUMP LOCKED UP, THE FAN BLADE BROKE AND THE BELTS BURNED, DEALER REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, FAN AND BELTS, THE OIL PAN GASKET WAS REPLACED DUE TO AN OIL LEAK. *SLC
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE WATER PUMP LOCKED UP, THE FAN BLADE BROKE AND THE BELTS BURNED, DEALER REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, FAN AND BELTS, THE OIL PAN GASKET WAS REPLACED DUE TO AN OIL LEAK. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IGNITION TURNED OFF, PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. *AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PLASTIC COVERS ON HEADLIGHTS HAVE YELLOWED WITH AGE.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
JACK WHEN INSTALLED IS NOT SAFE. IT CAN SLIP EASILY. I DO NOT USE IT ANYMORE. IT GOT BROKEN WHEN IT SLIP ON ME.*AK
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .