BMW 325I Recalls & Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA lists 22 safety recalls and 1,386 owner complaints across 23 model years of the BMW 325I (1987–2012). The most-complained-about year is 2006.
Pick your BMW 325I model year
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 BMW 325I | 0 | 1 |
| 2011 BMW 325I | 3 | 1 |
| 2010 BMW 325I | 3 | 0 |
| 2009 BMW 325I | 3 | 0 |
| 2008 BMW 325I | 3 | 1 |
| 2007 BMW 325I | 3 | 1 |
| 2006 BMW 325I | 7 | 515 |
| 2005 BMW 325I | 4 | 71 |
| 2004 BMW 325I | 4 | 147 |
| 2003 BMW 325I | 7 | 199 |
| 2002 BMW 325I | 6 | 162 |
| 2001 BMW 325I | 6 | 151 |
| 2000 BMW 325I | 2 | 1 |
| 1999 BMW 325I | 1 | 0 |
| 1995 BMW 325I | 2 | 31 |
| 1994 BMW 325I | 3 | 17 |
| 1993 BMW 325I | 3 | 21 |
| 1992 BMW 325I | 4 | 40 |
| 1991 BMW 325I | 0 | 4 |
| 1990 BMW 325I | 0 | 5 |
| 1989 BMW 325I | 0 | 8 |
| 1988 BMW 325I | 0 | 5 |
| 1987 BMW 325I | 0 | 5 |
What BMW 325I owners complain about
Across all model years, owners have filed 1,386 complaints with NHTSA. The 2006 model year has the most, with 515.
All BMW 325I recalls (22)
Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a BMW 325I, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.
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Inflator module (air bags) and air bags: frontal
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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Inflator module (air bags) Do not drive
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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Inflator module (air bags)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi,…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may…
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Inflator module (air bags)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 1999-2001 323i, 325i, 328i and 330i and 2000-2001 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, 323iT, and 325iT vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver air bag as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a…
Remedy: BMW notified owners, and Dealers will replace the driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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Crankcase (pcv) (engine and engine cooling)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 530xi Sports Wagon, 325i, 325xi, 325xi Sports Wagon, 330i, 330xi, Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion to…
Model years: 2006
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Air bags Do not drive
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and…
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners…
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Electrical system: wiring
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes…
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Occupant classification (air bags)
BMW of North America, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, and 550i vehicles equipped with the Sport Seat option and certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i vehicles with standard seats. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2017. Owners may…
Model years: 2006
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Inflator module (air bags) Do not drive
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports…
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners…
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Occupant classification (air bags)
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant…
Model years: 2006
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Air bags Do not drive
BMW is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans; 325Ci and 330Ci coupes and convertibles; 325iT and 325xiT Sports Wagons; and M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon…
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW intends to issue initial notifications to owners informing them of the safety defect in June 2013. Once replacement parts are available,…
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Turn signal (exterior lighting) and 2 other components
BMW is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi vehicles manufactured from september 1, 2001, through march 1, 2005. Over time, resistance in the electrical contacts may cause one or more rear lamp functions (tail light, brake light, and/or turn-signal), within the vehicle's body panel, to stop working.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on february 15, 2012. Owners may contact BMW customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.
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Power window devices and controls (visibility)
On certain passenger vehicles, the window lifting anti-pinching device might not function properly.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the electronic control unit for the window lifting anti-pinching device. Owner notification began may 27, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on…
Model years: 2003
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Vehicle speed control
On certain passenger and sport wagon vehicles with automatic transmissions, with the engine running, and the vehicle at rest, an increase of engine idle speed (up to 1,300 RPM) may occur.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the digital engine management control unit. Owner notification began may 5, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…
Model years: 2003
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Fan (engine and engine cooling)
On certain passenger vehicles, the engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fan. Owner notification began september 28, 2001. This is a supplement to a recall that began during september 2001 (see recall campaign 01v206). Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized…
Model years: 2001
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Suspension
On certain passenger vehicles, during the strut mount manufacturing process, the thrust bearing was not properly positions and secured. If the suspension is fully unloaded, the front strut could separate from the upper mount.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both front spring strut upper mounts. Owner notification began march 15, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…
Model years: 2002
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Fan (engine and engine cooling)
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fan. Owner notification began september 28, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable…
Model years: 2001
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Rim (wheels)
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The machine used to mount and inflate the tires on the wheels at the assembly plant may have damaged the inner rim flange of the wheels.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the five wheels for possible damage. If damage from the mounting machine is found on any wheel, all five wheels will be replaced.
Model years: 2001
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Cooling system (engine and engine cooling)
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,…
Remedy: Dealers will install a new design radiator cap to control pressure and provide greater coolant overflow in the event of overheating.
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Vehicle speed control
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,…
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.
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Air bags: frontal
The air bag contact ring locking tab located in the steering wheel assembly can break without warning.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the locking tab with one of a different design.
Model years: 1992
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Switch (exterior lighting)
The brake light switch can fail allowing the switch to remain in the "brake lights off" position or in the "brake lights on" position.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the existing brake light switch with a newly designed switch.
Other BMW models
- X53,154 complaints
- 328I2,578 complaints
- X32,004 complaints
- Z41,281 complaints
- 3 Series843 complaints
- 528I835 complaints
- 330I815 complaints
- 335I810 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.