IllustrationPOSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN VEHICLE FIRE.
1991 BMW 325
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 325 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 6 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
2 reportsCONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET AT 25 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD CRACKING SOUND AND ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK
Official recalls
394V066000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Apr 11, 1994
FEED FUEL HOSES CAN HARDEN AND "SET" OVER TIME, ALLOWING A SEEPAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING. THE CLAMP USED TO HOLD THE HOSE TO THE FITTING IS UNABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE HARDENING OF THE FEED FUEL HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL SEEPAGE BETWEEN THE FEED FUEL HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING CAN RESULT IN FREE FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy: A REDESIGNED FEED FUEL HOSE AND HOSE CLAMP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ALLEVIATE THE FUEL SEEPAGE.
93V015000 · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:heater Core
Feb 1, 1993
THE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND A RESULTING INCREASE IN SYSTEM PRESSURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: VEHICLES OPERATED UNDER THIS INCREASED COOLING SYSTEMPRESSURE CONDITION CAN SUFFER DAMAGE OR FAILURE OF PARTS OF THE COOLING SYSTEMSUCH AS (1) LEAKAGE FROM A COOLANT HOSE, (2) LEAKAGE OF THE RADIATOR OREXPANSION TANK, (3) DISCONNECTION OF A HOSE FROM A PIPE OR A FITTING, AND (4)CRACKS IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAKAGE. IN SOME CASES,BOILING COOLANT CAN CONTACT THE LOWER RIGHT LEG OF THE DRIVER RESULTING INBURNS. ALSO, ESCAPING COOLANT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE VAPORFOGGING OF THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE WINDOWS, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A THERMOSTATIC BYPASS VALVE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO CONTROL COOLANT TEMPERATURE IN THE HEATER CORE. ALSO, A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP WILL BE INSTALLED, TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
92V140000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:switch/wiring
Sep 29, 1992
THE SCREW THAT SECURES THE WIPER SWITCH AT ONE LOCATION AND WHICH ALSO PROVIDES A GROUND FOR THE WIPER CIRCUIT, LOOSENS AS THE SWITCH IS OPERATED OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. AS THE SCREW CONTINUES TO LOOSEN THE GROUND FOR THE WIPER CIRCUIT IS INTERMITTENTLY OR COMPLETELY LOST.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE INTERMITTENT OR COMPLETE LOSS OF THE WIPER CIRCUITGROUND CAUSES THE WIPERS TO OPERATE ERRATICALLY OR NOT AT ALL, RESULTING INREDUCED VISIBILITY FOR THE DRIVER IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Remedy: RELOCATE THE WIPER SWITCH GROUND WIRE ATTACHMENT ON THE STEERING COLUMN.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA95013 · Air Bag Wiring Failure
Opened Mar 31, 1995 · Closed Jul 15, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
There is no summary currently available
EA92017 · Heater Core Failure
Opened Jun 2, 1992 · Closed Mar 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
There is no summary currently available