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2002 BMW 325CI

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 BMW 325CI do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 31.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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: 15 of 30 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

23 reports
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90,000 miles · Jul 22, 2016
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL HELLO, I'M AT MY BMW SERVICE CENTER NOW (BMW OF FAIRFAX) TO HAVE SERVICE DONE ON MY CAR. I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THE TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL AND NOTIFIED THE SERVICE CENTER AS TO WHEN I CAN GET MY AIR BAGS FIXED. THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME A DEFINITIVE TIME LINE. I WENT TO THE SERVICE CENTER TODAY TO HAVE REGULAR S…

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TAKATA RECALL HELLO, I'M AT MY BMW SERVICE CENTER NOW (BMW OF FAIRFAX) TO HAVE SERVICE DONE ON MY CAR. I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THE TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL AND NOTIFIED THE SERVICE CENTER AS TO WHEN I CAN GET MY AIR BAGS FIXED. THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME A DEFINITIVE TIME LINE. I WENT TO THE SERVICE CENTER TODAY TO HAVE REGULAR SERVICE DONE ON MY CAR AND AGAIN THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME AN EXACT TIME LINE. THEY SAID, "MAYBE A YEAR BUT WE'RE NOT SURE." I ALSO ASKED IF BMW IS STILL OFFERING THEIR CAR RENTAL PROGRAM UNTIL THE ISSUE IS RESOLVED BUT THE SERVICE CENTER SAID BMW IS NO LONGER OFFERING THIS. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE SERVICE CENTER DOES NOT WANT TO PERFORM THE WORK AS I'M SURE THIS IS AT A MAJOR COST TO THEM.

NHTSA ODI #10887664

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2016
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THERE WAS NO REMEDY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANU…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THERE WAS NO REMEDY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE...UPDATED 05/09/16 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10855032

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2016
Air Bags

RECEIVED RECALL ON AIRBAGS IN 2015 CALLED DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY DON'T HAVE THEM. BOTH OF THEM NEED REPLACED THIS IS NOT SAFE...HOW CAN YOU NOT HAVE THESE.

NHTSA ODI #10839488

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2016
Air Bags

I WAS NOTIFIED OF RECALL CAMPAIGN NO: 15V-318 IN JULY 2015. DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO POSSIBLE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IF INFLATED ON IMPACT. I HAVE CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. INSKIP BMW ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE REPLACEMENT PART. IF IT IS THIS DANGEROUS, WHY IS IT…

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I WAS NOTIFIED OF RECALL CAMPAIGN NO: 15V-318 IN JULY 2015. DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO POSSIBLE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IF INFLATED ON IMPACT. I HAVE CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. INSKIP BMW ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE REPLACEMENT PART. IF IT IS THIS DANGEROUS, WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG?

NHTSA ODI #10818926

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS)WAS RECEIVED IN MAY OF 2015. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS)WAS RECEIVED IN MAY OF 2015. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10783204

89,000 miles · Jul 29, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ODI #10744538

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME. THE DEALER FAILED TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME. THE DEALER FAILED TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 7/21/15*CN UPDATED 9/23/15 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10722164

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V172000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V172000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10691059

116,300 miles · Feb 4, 2015
Air Bags

DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ABOVE THE DOOR ERUPTED. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT HIT BY ANYTHING. I HAVE NO DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE AT ALL. I NEED TO KNOW HOW THIS AIRBAG RECALL AFFECTS ME, BECAUSE IT TALKS ABOUT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH...AND I WASN'T IN A WRECK OF ANY SORT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10681076

Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2014
Air Bags

MESSAGE: HI, THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ON AIR BAGS. WE OWN A 2002 BMW AND OUR VEHICLE IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. WE CONTACTED OUR LOCAL BMW DEALER (NIELLO BMW AT SACRAMENTO, CA) SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY SAID THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS TO REPLACE. HOW LONG DO WE HAVE TO WAIT ? THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED…

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MESSAGE: HI, THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ON AIR BAGS. WE OWN A 2002 BMW AND OUR VEHICLE IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. WE CONTACTED OUR LOCAL BMW DEALER (NIELLO BMW AT SACRAMENTO, CA) SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY SAID THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS TO REPLACE. HOW LONG DO WE HAVE TO WAIT ? THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668039

Official recalls

3

20V018000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 15, 2020

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 containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

15V318000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

May 28, 2015

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 Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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 may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.

13V172000 · Air Bags

May 2, 2013

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 deployment of the air bag.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.

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, estimated for July, BMW will notify owners again to contact their dealers and schedule a replacement of the passenger air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.