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1993 BMW 325IS Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 1993 BMW 325IS, and owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

3
safety recalls
16
owner complaints to NHTSA
1 / 0
complaints citing a crash / fire

3 safety recalls for the 1993 BMW 325IS

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Cooling system (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 98V178000 Reported 340,000 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    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.

  2. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 97V131000 Reported 410,000 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    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.

  3. Switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 96V111000 Reported 180,000 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    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.

16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1993 BMW 325IS have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash. Reports cite 3 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 113,770 miles. Complaints peaked in 2000 with 4 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“I own a 1993 325is which has a tear in the subframe where the suspension component meet. Car was not modified in anyway. I just noticed this loud sound coming from the differential or rear area. Took”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 6, 2006 · Structure

“I have a 1993 325is BMW. And there are a number of problems. On rainy days i can hear water in the floor boards. The door panels are both coming ungluded and bubbling. My driver side floor mat hits th”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 2, 2005 · Engine and engine cooling

Compare BMW 325IS model years

Recall and complaint counts for every BMW 325IS model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1992 BMW 325IS48
1993 BMW 325IS316
1994 BMW 325IS310
1995 BMW 325IS25

Checking a specific 1993 BMW 325IS

How do I know if my 1993 BMW 325IS has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 1993 BMW 325IS; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised BMW dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 96V111000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other BMW models

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.