RoadVitals

1994 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.
10
Latest Sep 5, 2017
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 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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 BMW 325IS, most frequently naming the electrical, transmission and airbags categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 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

  • Electrical218.2%
  • Transmission218.2%
  • Airbags218.2%
  • Interior & seats19.1%
  • Suspension19.1%
  • Visibility19.1%
  • Body & structure19.1%
  • Engine19.1%

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
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
96V111000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Jul 1, 1996
180,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.
The risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ON, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION. FOLLOWING DRIVERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STOPPING, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 10
Body & structure
Filed Sep 5, 2017

OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES ON BOTH DOORS BECAME INOPERABLEWITHIN A MONTH OF EACH OTHER ALSO TRUNK LATCH BROKE DUE TO THE WAY IT IS ATTATCHED TO TRUNK LID IE TWO SCREWS THRU SHEET METAL, SHEET METAL BROKE AROUND BOTH SCREWS

NHTSA ID
11021665
Incident
May 1, 2017
Mileage
272,814 mi
Transmission
Filed Aug 30, 2011

OWNER OF A 1994 325IS. WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY DIED DOWN (SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR) ALMOST CAUSING THE VEHICLES BEHIND TO ALMOST CRASH INTO ME. IN ILLINOIS. CALLED THE NATIONAL BMW CUSTOMER CENTER AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE NO ACTIVE RECALL DESPITE NUMEROUS COMPLAINT OF INCIDENTS WITH THE TRANSMISSION OF 325 I IN THE CONSUMER REPORTS SITE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL KEPT AND MAINTAINED PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS, SOMEONE CAN GET KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10422665
Incident
Aug 29, 2011
Mileage
135,000 mi
Suspension
Filed May 6, 2005
Crash reported

I AM A MEMBER OF THE BMWCCA AND A BMW AUTOMTIVE ENTHUSIAST. I HAVE NOTICE FOR MANY YEARS THE OCCURANNCE OF A COMMON FAILURE IN E36 AND E46 BODY STYLES - FOR ALL YEARS OF PRODUCTION. THE REAR SUBFRAME IS ATTACHED AT FOUR MOUNTING LOCATIONS TO THE UNIBODY. THE UNIBODY IS NOT REINFORCED AT THE ATTACHMENT POINTS. FAILURES HAVE OCCURED WHERE THE UNIBODY SHEET METAL CRACKS AND IN MANY CASES THE REAR SUBFRAME IS RIPPED FROM THE CAR. IN GERMANY, BMW HAS RECOGNIZED THIS PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED A RECALL TO REINFORCE THE SUBFRAME ATTACHMENT POINTS. I FEEL IT IS TIME THAT BMW TAKES OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM IN THE USA. PLEASE HELP. THIS PROBLEM WILL WORSEN AS THESE CARS AGE AND WILL EVENTAULLY CAUSE FATALITIES. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR MORE DETAILS - I CAN PROVIDE NUMEROUS PHOTOS FORM CLUB MEMBERS. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10120052
Incident
May 6, 2005
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 27, 2004

LTR RE A DEFECTIVE HOOD LATCH ON A 1994 BMW 325IS, REQUESTING A DEFECT INVESTIGATION. WHILE DRIVING, THE HOOD LATCH DISENGAGED AND CAUSE THE HOOD TO OPEN. *JB

NHTSA ID
10094352
Incident
Sep 1, 2004
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 6, 2001

AFTER TAKING VEHICLE THROUGH A CARWASH ENGINE HYDROLOCKED AND CAUSED FUEL TO INJECT INTO ENGINE. DEALER SAID ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED.*AK CONSUMER STATES DME SHORTED OUT CAUSING IT TO HYDROLOCK AND CAUSING ENGINE AND FUEL COMPONENTS TO BE DAMAGED INTERNALLY. *SLC

NHTSA ID
893434
Incident
Jul 27, 2001
Visibility
Filed Jul 11, 2000

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE OVERHEATED. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER, AND TECHNICIAN TOLD CONSUMER THAT WAS CAUSED BY THE HEATING CORE.*AK

NHTSA ID
865261
Incident
Jun 23, 2000
Airbags
Filed Oct 27, 1999

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
851944
Transmission
Filed Oct 15, 1999

THE 1994 BMW 3 SERIES HAS A CLUTCH LINING PROBLEM THAT WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO BUCK AND THROW ITSELF FORWARD WHEN STUCK IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC FOR ANY AMOUNT OF TIME. ALTHOUGH THIS IS CALLED A MINOR INCOMVENIENCE BY BMW, IT CAN CAUSE A LOW IMPACT ACCIDENT IF THE CLUTCH AND DUAL MASS FLY WHEEL ARE NOT REPLACED.... $2000 LATER.

NHTSA ID
713340
Incident
Feb 1, 1998

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

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—
1994Viewing103047.2
1993163049.8
1992840—

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.