RoadVitals

2002 BMW 325XI 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.
68
Latest Jul 26, 2022
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.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 BMW 325XI, 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

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.

18
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

IGNITION SELANIOD ISN'T WORKING. WHEN I TURN THE KEY TO START THE CAR, THE IGNITION THINKS THE CAR HAS STARTED, BUT THE ENGINE DOESN'T TURN OVER. IT TAKES MULTIPLE TRIES TO GET THE CAR TO START.

NHTSA ID 11023601 · filed Sep 15, 2017

THE CAMSHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR A CIRCUIT INTERMITTENT CAN GO BAD LEADING THE ENGINE TO STOP WORKING ALL TOGETHER THIS COULD CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF DRIVING ON THE ROAD

NHTSA ID 10956936 · filed Feb 25, 2017
All 18 reports naming engine

Electrical

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

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING OUR CAR THE DASH LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND THE CAR WILL LOOSE ALL POWER. WE HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN CAR OFF WAIT A MINUTE WITH KEY COMPLETELY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND RESTART THE CAR THEN ALL LIGHTS ARE OFF AND CAR IS COMPLETELY DRIVABLE. THIS HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY NO MATTER WHAT SPEED IS BEING DRIVEN. ALSO WITHIN THE SAME MONTH THE LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN CAR IS STOPPED AND SHUT OFF OR BY THE POWER BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR. AS WELL AS OUR 4 WAY INDICATOR WHICH IS ON SAME SWITCH AS THE POWER LOCK BUTTON NO LONGER WORKS.

NHTSA ID 10991270 · filed May 23, 2017

LOCKS OCCUPANTS IN CAR AND CANNOT ELECTRICALLY OR MECHANICALLY UNLOCK. MANY BMW OPERATORS HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM ON INTERNET BUT NO RECALL EXISTS FOR DEALERSHIPS TO REPAIR/REPLACE. HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY, ON A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY, TURNING OR ANYTIME THE SYSTEM LOCKS THE DOORS TRAPPING OCCUPANTS

NHTSA ID 10955667 · filed Feb 20, 2017
All 15 reports naming electrical

Airbags

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

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325XI. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V018000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that approximately 7-months after the repair, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer where a diagnostic test showed that a wire from the A-pillar connector to side air bags had high resistance. The dealer stated that the repair was not covered under the recall. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The contact stated that several days later the air bag warning light disappeared without the repair being performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred her to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 44,743.

NHTSA ID 11475946 · filed Jul 26, 2022

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR WITH THE DEALER. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER ONLY INDICATED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER, WHICH HAD BEEN LONGER THAN A YEAR. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID 10908416 · filed Sep 21, 2016
All 13 reports naming airbags

Exterior lighting

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

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

NOTICED THAT LEFT FRONT TURN SIGNAL IS OUT AT TIMES. DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT LEFT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET ARE BURNT. FAULT 36 (TURN INDICATOR, FRONT LEFT, FAULTY) IS SET IN FAULT MEMORY. CHECKED LEFT FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET ARE BURNT. REPLACED FRONT TURN SIGNAL BULB AND SOCKET. *TR

NHTSA ID 10493121 · filed Jan 15, 2013

BMW NORTH AMERICA SENT OUT A RECALL LETTER DATED DECEMBER 2011 FOR THE REAR LIGHTS ON THEIR 3 SERIES CARS. THEY ADVISED CONSUMERS THAT THEY SHOULD GO TO THEIR LOCAL DEALERS FOR RECALL REPAIRS AND THAT THEY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS ALREADY COMPLETED AND PAID FOR. I HEARD NOTHING FURTHER FROM BMW UNTIL I WROTE TO THEIR NEW CEO FOR NORTH AMERICA, MR.WILLISCH, ASKING WHAT I SHOULD DO TO GET THEM TO TAKE ACTION ON THEIR RECALL. HE HAD HIS SECRETARY CALL ME AND ASK ME TO FAX THE RECEIPTS FOR THE REPAIRS TO HER, WHICH I DID. I HEARD NOTHING FURTHER FOR SEVERAL WEEKS UNTIL I CALLED AGAIN. SHE THEN CALLED ME BACK AND SAID I SHOULD BE HEARING SOMETHING FROM BMW SOON. THE NEXT DAY I RECEIVED A CHECK FROM PRINCETON BMW FOR THE COST OF ONE REPAIR TO THE REAR LIGHTS. HOWEVER, I FAXED RECEIPTS FOR 2 REPAIRS TO THE RIGHT REAR LIGHTS AND 1 REPAIR TO THE LEFT REAR LIGHTS. TO DATE I HAVE HEARD NOTHING FURTHER FROM BMW ABOUT REIMBURSING ME FOR THE OTHER 2 REPAIRS.. HOW CAN YOU HELP ME GET REIMBURSED FOR THE OTHER 2 REPAIRS TO MY 3 SERIES CAR? *TR UPDATED 10/1512

NHTSA ID 10472787 · filed Aug 28, 2012
All 10 reports naming exterior lighting

Suspension

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

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

NOTICED THAT WHEN DRIVING ON CURVY ROADS IT FEELS LIKE RIDING ON A ROUGH ROAD PATCH OR FEELS LIKE BRAKING. DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN FOUND DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTER AND FILTER. NO FAULT IN MEMORY. REMOVED AND EXCHANGED TORQUE CONVERTER. REMOVED TRANSMISSION OIL PAN AND REPLACED TRANSMISSION OIL FILTER AND OIL AND FLUSHED ALL TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10493117 · filed Jan 15, 2013

I NOTICED A CRACKING SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN NOTICED NOISE ON RIGHT/FRONT SIDE. CHECKED THE FRONT END AND FOUND RIGHT/FRONT SWAY BAR MOUNT IS LOOSE. RETIGHTENED RIGHT/FRONT SWAY BAR ASSEMBLY AND CHECKED LEFT/FRONT SWAY BAR. RETIGHTENED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10493116 · filed Jan 15, 2013
All 9 reports naming suspension

Steering

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

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

IGNITION SELANIOD ISN'T WORKING. WHEN I TURN THE KEY TO START THE CAR, THE IGNITION THINKS THE CAR HAS STARTED, BUT THE ENGINE DOESN'T TURN OVER. IT TAKES MULTIPLE TRIES TO GET THE CAR TO START.

NHTSA ID 11023601 · filed Sep 15, 2017

NOTICED THAT WHEN DRIVING ON CURVY ROADS IT FEELS LIKE RIDING ON A ROUGH ROAD PATCH OR FEELS LIKE BRAKING. DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN FOUND DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTER AND FILTER. NO FAULT IN MEMORY. REMOVED AND EXCHANGED TORQUE CONVERTER. REMOVED TRANSMISSION OIL PAN AND REPLACED TRANSMISSION OIL FILTER AND OIL AND FLUSHED ALL TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10493117 · filed Jan 15, 2013

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.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, RF TIRE SEPARATED (SIDEWALL FROM TREAD) INSTANTANEOUSLY. TIRE WAS CHANGED WITH SPARE. 10 MINUTES LATER LF TIRE BLEW OUT. BECAUSE VEHICLE IS AWD, ALL 4 TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. *KB

NHTSA ID 10437719 · filed Nov 29, 2011

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLES TIRES BLEW OUT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. DURING ONE OF THE INCIDENCES, THE VEHICLE HIT A POTHOLE ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 65 MPH BEFORE THE TIRE BLEW OUT. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 35 MPH IN RESIDENTIAL AREA WHEN A POTHOLE CAUSED ANOTHER BLOWOUT. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN NINE TIMES BY AN INDEPENDENT TIRE COMPANY WHO DETERMINED PROBLEMS WERE WITH THE SIDEWALLS. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALERS AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO RESOLUTION. UPDATED 7/18/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID 10160879 · filed Jun 27, 2006

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, THERE WAS A THREE SECOND DELAYED RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE RPMS BEGAN TO INCREASE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS ONLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID 10732189 · filed Jul 6, 2015

NOTICED THAT WHEN DRIVING ON CURVY ROADS IT FEELS LIKE RIDING ON A ROUGH ROAD PATCH OR FEELS LIKE BRAKING. DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN FOUND DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTER AND FILTER. NO FAULT IN MEMORY. REMOVED AND EXCHANGED TORQUE CONVERTER. REMOVED TRANSMISSION OIL PAN AND REPLACED TRANSMISSION OIL FILTER AND OIL AND FLUSHED ALL TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10493117 · filed Jan 15, 2013

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

BMW NORTH AMERICA SENT OUT A RECALL LETTER DATED DECEMBER 2011 FOR THE REAR LIGHTS ON THEIR 3 SERIES CARS. THEY ADVISED CONSUMERS THAT THEY SHOULD GO TO THEIR LOCAL DEALERS FOR RECALL REPAIRS AND THAT THEY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS ALREADY COMPLETED AND PAID FOR. I HEARD NOTHING FURTHER FROM BMW UNTIL I WROTE TO THEIR NEW CEO FOR NORTH AMERICA, MR.WILLISCH, ASKING WHAT I SHOULD DO TO GET THEM TO TAKE ACTION ON THEIR RECALL. HE HAD HIS SECRETARY CALL ME AND ASK ME TO FAX THE RECEIPTS FOR THE REPAIRS TO HER, WHICH I DID. I HEARD NOTHING FURTHER FOR SEVERAL WEEKS UNTIL I CALLED AGAIN. SHE THEN CALLED ME BACK AND SAID I SHOULD BE HEARING SOMETHING FROM BMW SOON. THE NEXT DAY I RECEIVED A CHECK FROM PRINCETON BMW FOR THE COST OF ONE REPAIR TO THE REAR LIGHTS. HOWEVER, I FAXED RECEIPTS FOR 2 REPAIRS TO THE RIGHT REAR LIGHTS AND 1 REPAIR TO THE LEFT REAR LIGHTS. TO DATE I HAVE HEARD NOTHING FURTHER FROM BMW ABOUT REIMBURSING ME FOR THE OTHER 2 REPAIRS.. HOW CAN YOU HELP ME GET REIMBURSED FOR THE OTHER 2 REPAIRS TO MY 3 SERIES CAR? *TR UPDATED 10/1512

NHTSA ID 10472787 · filed Aug 28, 2012

I HAVE CONTACTED BMW 3 TIMES ABOUT NHTSA ID#02V088000 AND THEY WILL NOT CONTACT ME. I WANT TO KNOW IF MY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10284759 · filed Sep 21, 2009

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL POWER WINDOWS FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD INDEPENDENTLY OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 10615399 · filed Jul 22, 2014

REAR RIGHT WINDOW CAME OFF THE TRACK AND BROKE WINDOW REGULATOR. REPLACED WINDOW REGULATOR. TECHNICIAN REMARKED THAT BOTH FRONT WINDOWS ARE MOVING SLOWLY SO WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON ALSO. *TR

NHTSA ID 10492971 · filed Jan 14, 2013

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

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

NEVER CONTACTED BY BMW ABOUT BMW 325XI RECALL #02V088000. ALSO, BOTH FRONT AXLES HAVE GONE OUT AT 77,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10283399 · filed Sep 9, 2009

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING OUR CAR THE DASH LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND THE CAR WILL LOOSE ALL POWER. WE HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN CAR OFF WAIT A MINUTE WITH KEY COMPLETELY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND RESTART THE CAR THEN ALL LIGHTS ARE OFF AND CAR IS COMPLETELY DRIVABLE. THIS HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY NO MATTER WHAT SPEED IS BEING DRIVEN. ALSO WITHIN THE SAME MONTH THE LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN CAR IS STOPPED AND SHUT OFF OR BY THE POWER BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR. AS WELL AS OUR 4 WAY INDICATOR WHICH IS ON SAME SWITCH AS THE POWER LOCK BUTTON NO LONGER WORKS.

NHTSA ID 10991270 · filed May 23, 2017

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 .