IllustrationTHE WATER PUMP LOCKED UP, THE FAN BLADE BROKE AND THE BELTS BURNED, DEALER REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, FAN AND BELTS, THE OIL PAN GASKET WAS REPLACED DUE TO AN OIL LEAK. *SLC
1992 BMW 325I
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 325I years →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: 5 of 40 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 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 5 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 reports1 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
5 reportsWHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A FIRE STARTED INSIDE OF VEHICLE. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FIRE MAY HAVE STARTED UNDER THE DASH.*AKAFTER FORENSIC STUDY, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS CUASED BY FUEL SEEPAGE AS A RESULT OF FUEL LINES HARDENING AND LEAKING. THERE IS A RECALL…
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WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A FIRE STARTED INSIDE OF VEHICLE. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FIRE MAY HAVE STARTED UNDER THE DASH.*AKAFTER FORENSIC STUDY, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS CUASED BY FUEL SEEPAGE AS A RESULT OF FUEL LINES HARDENING AND LEAKING. THERE IS A RECALL RELATED TO THE INCIDENT FOR BMW'S 525I AND OTHER MAKES. *JG
DME UNIT GOT WET FROM A NORMAL CAR WASH; BMW BULLETIN ITEM BUT NOT RECALL; DEALERSHIP DRILLED A HOLE IN THE BOX PER BMWS INSTRUCTIONS AND SAID THAT WOULD PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT 3 YEARS LATER; THE BULLETIN "FIX" WAS INSUFFICIENT. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS THE FAILED COMPUTER FLOODS THE ENGINE WITH …
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DME UNIT GOT WET FROM A NORMAL CAR WASH; BMW BULLETIN ITEM BUT NOT RECALL; DEALERSHIP DRILLED A HOLE IN THE BOX PER BMWS INSTRUCTIONS AND SAID THAT WOULD PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT 3 YEARS LATER; THE BULLETIN "FIX" WAS INSUFFICIENT. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS THE FAILED COMPUTER FLOODS THE ENGINE WITH GASOLINE CAUSES GAS TO OVERFLOW OUT THE DIPSTICK ALL OVER THE PLACE; MY RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY MANY PEOPLE AND IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT BMW SHOULD HAVE RECALLED AND MADE A REAL "FIX." IT COSTS OVER $1000 TO REPAIR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM CAUSED BY WEAR AND TEAR, THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT BMW SHOULD STEP UP TO. ELECTRONIC COMPUTER PARTS SHOULD BE IN A WATER TIGHT LOCATION WHERE REGULAR WATER FLOW CANNOT COMPROMISE THE COMPONENTS. THIS IS A DEFECT AND A SAFETY ISSUE.*AK
COMPUTER BECAME FLOODED AFTER THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A CARWASH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT IS DEFECTIVELY INSTALLED. WATER FROM RAIN AND CARWASHING CAN EASILY GET INTO THE SAID UNIT BOX CAUSING CIRCUIT SHORTS TO THE SAID EQUIPMENT. EQUIPMENT IS $1,200.00 TO REPLACED. BMW DEALERS KNOW THE PROBLEM AND CAN EASILY MODIFY THE INSTALLATION TO PROTECT IT FROM WATER DAMAGE AND I WONDER WHY IT WAS NOT P…
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ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT IS DEFECTIVELY INSTALLED. WATER FROM RAIN AND CARWASHING CAN EASILY GET INTO THE SAID UNIT BOX CAUSING CIRCUIT SHORTS TO THE SAID EQUIPMENT. EQUIPMENT IS $1,200.00 TO REPLACED. BMW DEALERS KNOW THE PROBLEM AND CAN EASILY MODIFY THE INSTALLATION TO PROTECT IT FROM WATER DAMAGE AND I WONDER WHY IT WAS NOT PART OF THEIR RECALL. I CALLED PARTS DEPT.'S PERSONNEL OF BMW DEALERS AND I FOUND OUT THIS KIND OF DAMAGE IS SO COMMON.
Official recalls
498V178000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System
Aug 4, 1998
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, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
97V131000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Aug 19, 1997
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, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
96V110000 · Air Bags:frontal
Jul 1, 1996
THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CONTACT RING WIRING COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK. THE AIR BAG READINESS INDICATOR LAMP (SRS OR AIRBAG) IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL ILLUMINATE, AND THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT VEHICLE COLLISION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING TAB WITH ONE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN.
96V111000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Jul 1, 1996
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ON, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION. FOLLOWING DRIVERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STOPPING, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.