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
What owners actually said
40 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2000
Electrical System
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 …
Read full complaint
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
NHTSA ODI #724121
Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2000
Seat Belts
DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT IS LOOSE AND DOES NOT RETRACT BACK TO IT'S ORIGINAL POSITION. NLM
NHTSA ODI #784621
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 1999
Visibility
HEATER CORE IS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE INTO PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. MECHANIC SAYS THE HEATER CORE AND THE PLASTIC ASSEMBLY AROUND IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #852877
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH WATER LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALLS WHILE DRIVING, DEALER NOTIFED AND REPAIRED THAT UNIT. AFTER TWO MONTHSAND TWO WEEKS, UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AT CONSUMER'S COST. DEALER REFUSED TO CORRECT PROBLEM. CAN NHTSA PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR HELP IN TH…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH WATER LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALLS WHILE DRIVING, DEALER NOTIFED AND REPAIRED THAT UNIT. AFTER TWO MONTHSAND TWO WEEKS, UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AT CONSUMER'S COST. DEALER REFUSED TO CORRECT PROBLEM. CAN NHTSA PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #851471
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 1999
Visibility
WINDOWS FOGGED UP DUE TO DEFFOGER/DEFROSTER OPERATING IMPROPERLY AS A RESULT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #850851
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility
RADIATOR CORD CRACKED, AND THE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO, WINDOWS FOGGED UP DUE TO DEFROSTER WORKING IN PROPERLY AS A RESULT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #850850
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE TRAVELING ON I-5, I NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE WAS INCREASING TO DANGEROUS LEVELS. UPON RETURNING TO THE SAN FRANCISCO AREA, I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WATER PUMP HAD FAILED DUE TO THE BREAKAGE OF THE IMPELLER. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM IN THIS VINTAGE OF BMW SINCE THE M…
Read full complaint
WHILE TRAVELING ON I-5, I NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE WAS INCREASING TO DANGEROUS LEVELS. UPON RETURNING TO THE SAN FRANCISCO AREA, I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WATER PUMP HAD FAILED DUE TO THE BREAKAGE OF THE IMPELLER. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM IN THIS VINTAGE OF BMW SINCE THE MANUFACTURER HAD USED A PLASTIC IMPELLER IN THE WATER PUMP, RATHER THAN A METAL IMPELLER AS IS USUAL IN OTHER MODELS. THE MECHANIC RELATED THAT HE HAD PERFORMED ABOUT 25-30 IDENTICAL REPAIRS ON BMWS AND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ALWAYS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE PLASTIC IMPELLER. I HAVE HAD THE WATER PUMP REPLACED WITH ANOTHER PUMP WITH A METAL IMPELLER, BUT THE EVENT COST ME $458 IN REPAIRS AND APPROXIMATELY $265 FOR A RENTAL CAR FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP, AS WELL AS ABOUT $150 IN UNNECESSARY HOTEL BILLS. I PLAN TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER TO REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT OF THESE COSTS, AS I FEEL THAT THE USE OF A PLASTIC IMPELLER OVER A METAL ONE IS A DEFECTIVE AND NEGLIGENT DESIGN. I STILL HAVE THE OLD WATER PUMP AND THE PLASTIC IMPELLER IN MY POSSESSION.
NHTSA ODI #711355
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE ENGINE COLLANT SYSTEM FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND STEERING TO BECOME ERRATIC WHEN THE WATER PUMP MALFUNCTIONED. NLM (98V-178)
NHTSA ODI #548251
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 1999
Electrical System
COMPUTER BECAME FLOODED AFTER THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A CARWASH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #845759
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL (98V-178) PRIOR TO NOTICE WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS. MJS
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.
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.
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.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1992 BMW 325I Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration