RoadVitals

1992 BMW 325IS

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 May 21, 2006
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.
4
Latest Aug 4, 1998
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.
0
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 BMW 325IS, most frequently naming the body & structure, fuel system and suspension categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 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

  • Body & structure562.5%
  • Fuel system225.0%
  • Suspension112.5%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
98V178000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

Aug 4, 1998
340,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.
The risk: IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov
97V131000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Aug 19, 1997
410,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
The risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov
96V110000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Jul 1, 1996
75,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING.
The risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CONTACT RING WIRING COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK. THE AIR BAG READINESS INDICATOR LAMP (SRS OR AIRBAG) IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL ILLUMINATE, AND THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT VEHICLE COLLISION.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING TAB WITH ONE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed May 21, 2006

1992 BMW 325IS. REAR SUBFRAME MOUNT FAILURE. LOOSE REAR END. CLUNKING NOISES. TORN UNDER BELLY WHERE REAR SUBFRAME BOLTS TO UNIBODY OF CAR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10157958
Incident
Jan 5, 2006
Mileage
199,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 23, 2003

I RECENTLY HAD THE REAR END OF MY CAR DETACHED ITSELF FROM THE SUPREME WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO SEVERAL MECHANIC AND HAVE HAD EVERY INDIVIDUAL MECHANIC SAY HE HAS SEEN IT HAPPENED TO MY SAME EXACT CAR. AND ALSO SAID I WAS LUCKY I DIDN'T CRASH. AFTER HAVING THE CAR LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC HE SAID THAT BMW HAD MANUFACTURED THE SUBFRAME MOUNTS INSUFFICIENT AND IT HAS RESULTED IN THOUSANDS OF CASES OF REAR ENDS FALLING OFF OF THE CARS AND IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS WITH WEAR AND TEAR. LUCKILY MY CAR BROKE RIGHT IN FRONT OF A TRANSMISSION SHOP SO I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER BEFORE I HAD ANY MAJOR TROUBLE. BUT IT IS A REALLY DANGEROUS THING THAT I THINK SHOULD FULLY BE INVESTIGATED AND BMW SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. *LA

NHTSA ID
10043405
Incident
Oct 5, 2003
Mileage
158,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 28, 2000

LEFT REAR STRUT AND MOUNT CRACKED AND TORE AWAY FROM SUB-FRAME OF VEHICLE. NLM

NHTSA ID
558353
Suspension
Filed Dec 4, 2000

STRUT THAT HOLDS THE REAR WHEEL IS PULLING FROM FRAME, CONSUMER IS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
875927
Incident
Nov 20, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Mar 2, 2000

LEFT GAS TANK FUEL SENDING UNIT HAS GONE BAD/IS CRACKED UNDERNEITH THE REAR SEAT, CAUSING FUMES/ODOR TO ENTER INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
857785
Fuel system
Filed Feb 29, 2000

GAS FUMES FILLED PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
719439
Incident
Feb 27, 2000
Body & structure
Filed Nov 29, 1999

REAR CROSS MEMBER FRAME BROKE OFF FROM THE MOUNTING OF THE VEHCILE, CAUSING A CLOCKING SOUND, AND IT FELT LIKE THE REAR END WAS GIVING WAY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
853414
Body & structure
Filed Oct 7, 1999

VEHICLE HAS HAD CONTINUED FAILURES OF THE POWER LOCK SYSTEM, SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS HOWEVER CONTINUES TO FAIL. MJS

NHTSA ID
548928
Incident
Sep 7, 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.

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 325IS by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1995520—
1994103047.2
1993163049.8
1992Viewing840—

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.