2002 BMW 325Ci

Do not drive

Owners filed 30 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the airbags. It has been recalled 3 times.

Not among the BMW 325Ci years to avoid. Which BMW 325Ci years to avoid →

Most common 2002 BMW 325Ci problems

22 of the 30 complaints (73%) are about the airbags.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags · airbags22
101
Suspension › Rear1
000
Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields · body and frame1
000
Structure › Body · body and frame1
000
Seat Belts1
000
Exterior Lighting · headlights1
000
Engine1
000
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel1
000
Electrical System1
010

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module20V018000Do not drive
Filed Jan 15, 2020292,948 vehiclesBMW of North America, LLC

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module15V318000Do not drive
Filed May 28, 2015419,235 vehiclesBMW of North America, LLC

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Air Bags13V172000Do not drive
Filed May 2, 201343,204 vehiclesBMW of North America, LLC

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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 [email protected].

All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Aug 18, 2026164,000 milesVA

The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325CI. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 15V318000 (Air Bags) and 13V172000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall repairs were completed. The vehicle was retrieved from the dealer. The contact stated that upon retrieving the vehicle from the dealer, the contact's husband stated that while starting the vehicle, the instrument cluster failed to power on, and the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the instrument cluster was not working when the vehicle was brought to the dealer. The contact was informed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the parts were ordered. The vehicle was being repaired. In addition, the contact was not informed if the repair was covered by the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the issue was between the contact and the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 30, 2026CA

I brought my 325ci into BMW Buena Park to have an airbag recall completed. There were no issues prior to dropping the car off at dealership but when the car was returned the airbag system light was on and was filled with error codes. I returned the car to the dealer and they cleared the codes but on my way home the dash light returned and faults were present after taking to 2 independent specialists. I returned to the dealer and spoke to service manager who said they would review and let me know their findings. They never responded and left me with a car that is now unsafe to drive. I believe this is the result of poor workmanship in addressing an NHTSA recall and has turned a potential safety concern into a real one. I have contacted BMW USA about this as well.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 27, 2022FL

2002 BMW 325 I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THE CONSUMER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REMAINING EXPENSES.THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED.

Seat Belts
Filed Feb 12, 2020199,000 milesNM

WHEN PUTTING ON SEATBELT ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE THE SEATBELT WILL GO IN AND MOMENTS LATER DURING DRIVING IT WILL UNCLIQUE AND COME OFF THIS HAPPENS EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE NOT ALL THE TIME. JUST HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY MOSTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. YOU CAN HEAR IT CLICK AND SOMETIMES I EVEN PULL IT TO MAKE SURE IT IS CLICKED IN BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM AND SOMETIMES AFTER I DO THAT IT WILL UNCLICK, IT HAPPENS MOSTLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE BUT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NOT KNOW IF THIS HAPPENS IN THE REAR SEAT BELTS.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 17, 2018115,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED BRUISES, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 13, 2017145,314 milesWV

JUST TOOK MY 2002 BMW IN TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS. BMW STERLING, VA WANTED $1611.05 TO REPLACE AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT/SID. DID NOT PAY THEM... THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO IMMEDIATELY... THEY ARE RIPPING PEOPLE OFF. THEY REPLACED THE AIRBAGS AND YOU HAVE A LIGHT ON - SO ARE THEY FUNCTIONAL OR NOT... THEY ARE RIPPING PEOPLE OFF... [XXX] [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

Air Bags
Filed Feb 8, 2017TX

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V172000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 2, 2016NJ

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. 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.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 18, 2016TX

I GOT THIS RECALL LAST YEAR...I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP HERE IN CLEAR LAKE HOUSTON, AND I WAS TOLD THEY DON'T MAKE THE AIRBAGS FOR THIS RECALL... AND HE SAID CALL BACK ......WELL I HAVE FOR 2 YEARS NOT! THEN I GOT A NEW LETTER SAYING THAT THEY WHERE IN STOCK AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT SO I CALLLED THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN.........AND AGAIN I WAS TOLD THEY DON'T MAKE THESE PARTS......IM SORRY BUT THIS DOESN'T MAKE ME FEEL VERY SAFE. I GUESS I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY DON'T MAKE THESE PARTS..ITS SUPPOSE TO PROTECT ME

Air Bags
Filed Sep 8, 2016CA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART 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 NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 17, 2016NV

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 22, 201690,000 milesDC

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.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 12, 2016KS

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

Air Bags
Filed Mar 2, 2016TX

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.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 8, 2016RI

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?

Air Bags
Filed Oct 19, 2015FL

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.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 29, 201589,000 milesVA

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.

Air Bags
Filed May 29, 2015NH

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

Air Bags
Filed Feb 27, 2015FL

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.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 4, 2015116,300 milesIN

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

Air Bags
Filed Dec 23, 2014CA

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

Air Bags
Filed Dec 17, 2014TX

CONTACTED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014 REGARDING RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS. DEALER SCHEDULED REPAIR IN SEPTEMBER, BUT WHEN WE SHOWED UP FOR OUR APPOINTMENT WE WERE INFORMED THERE WERE NO AIR BAGS. WE HAVE CALLED 4 TIMES SINCE THEN AND TOLD A SHIPMENT WAS COMING IN AND WE WOULD BE CONTACTED. THE LAST (#5) STILL NO AIRBAGS, PROBABLY SOMETIME IN JANUARY. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Nov 28, 2014110,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 6, 2014152,000 milesMI

AFTER COMPLETING A TRIP OF APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES COMING INTO A PARKING SPOT AND BRINGING VEHICLE TO A STOP THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO EGRESS OUT OF VEHICLE WITHOUT ISSUE, PASSENGER DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE OPENED. DOOR REMAINED LOCKED WITH SEEMINGLY NO MECHANICAL LINK TO DOOR LATCH. DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO OPEN DOOR FROM OUTSIDE, ALSO UNABLE TO DO SO. PASSENGER HAD TO EGRESS VEHICLE THROUGH DRIVERS DOOR, PASSENGER DOOR UNABLE TO OPEN DESPITE REPEATED USE OF UNLOCK BUTTON ON CENTER CONSOLE AND UNLOCK FEATURE ON KEYLESS ENTRY. AUTOMATIC LOCKING ON DRIVE OFF LOCKED DOORS, OCCUPANTS WERE UNABLE TO UNLOCK OR OPEN DOOR BY ANY MEANS. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Aug 25, 201439,000 milesCA

OUT OF THE BLUE THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I BECAME CONCERNED AND DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE IT- I DIDN'T KNOW WHY OR WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT. THE LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY AND NEVER GOES OUT. I HAD AN AUTO MECHANIC LOOK AT IT BUT HE HAD NOT KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT IT MIGHT BE. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CARE AND THE LIGHT REMAINED ON. I WASN'T DRIVING IT EVERYDAY SO I WAS NOT WORRIED VERY MUCH. BUT I HAD READ ABOUT A RECALL OF SOME BMW'S WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR AIRBAGS AND I THOUGHT THAT COULD BE IT. I AM GOING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PROBLEM AS THAT SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING WITH MY CAR, HOPE THIS WORKS OUT AND IT CAN BE REPAIRED AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND HOW WOULD I KNOW IF THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY IF I SHOULD NEED IT FOR PROTECTING ME AND MY FAMILY. *TR

Engine
Filed Aug 14, 201335,209 milesCA

2002 BMW 325CI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE WOULD STALL, WHEN HE REDUCED HIS SPEED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR THEM TO EXAMINE AND FIX THE ENGINE STALL PROBLEM. HOWEVER, EACH TIME HE VISITED THE DEALER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 7, 2012129,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TURN SIGNAL ALSO REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT RESPONDED AND FUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE, HOWEVER THEY DID NOT PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Mar 28, 201190,000 milesWV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER WHEN SMOKE BEGAN EMITTING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND WITHIN MINUTES, THE INTERIOR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS DISPATCHED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND DETERMINED THE ORIGIN TO BE ELECTRICAL. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Apr 8, 2010102,000 milesNJ

THE SUBFRAME ON MY 2002 BMW 325CI HAS BROKE IN 2 HALVES IT IS GOING TO COST ALOT OF MONEY TO GET FIXED I HAVE TALKED TO A GUY AT BMW HE TOLD ME THERE WAS OVER 200 CARS AT HIS DEALERSHIP ALONE THIS YEAR GETTING SUBFRAMES REPLACED THE MORE I LOOKED INTO THIS NEARLY ALL BMW E46 MODELS HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE AND BMW HAS NOT RECALLED ANY OF THESE CARS. *TR

Suspension › Rear
Filed May 23, 200844,640 milesCA

TODAY, AFTER FILLING UP GAS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2 MONTHS, SINCE I PURCHASED THIS NEW USED 2002 BMW 325CI, MODEL WITH NOW 45,000+ MILEAGES. I LIVE IN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT REQUIRES A LOT OF RED LIGHT STOP. AS I STOPPED TODAY, AT AROUND 9AM, AFTER THE GAS STATION, MY BREAK NOISE SQUEAK, AND THEN IT WOULD NOT STOP. AS I DRIVE AND STOP ON THE RED LIGHT, MY CAR WOULD JUMP, " BOUNCE FORWARD THEN STOP" BEFORE IT CAN IT FULLY STOP. AS I STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHEN I COME TO A STOP, IT WOULD NOT STOP COMPLETELY, THE CAR JUMPS COUPLE INCHES THEN STOPS. I AM FEARING FOR MY SAFETY, AND MY 30DAYS WARRANTY CONTRACT EXPIRES, HOWEVER THE " DEALERSHIP" HAS NEGLECT AND MIS INFORM ME THAT THE CAR HAS SOME MINOR PROBLEMS. IT IS A DISHONEST, AND I HAVE TOLD THEM FROM THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT IT, THAT, THE BACK WHEELS MAKES NOISE, " SHOCKS, SPRINGS NEEDS TO CHANGE" BUT THE MANAGER, AND SALES MANAGER DISAGREE, AND SAID, "I DON'T HEAR ANYTHING". AS WELL AS " YOU REMEMBER IT IS A USE CAR"... TOTALLY IGNORE MY REQUEST. I CALLED MANY TIMES AND SPOKE TO THEIR ASSISTANT SALES MANAGER BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK AS THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD CALL ME BACK SOON, WHEN THE MANAGER IS IN, ITS BEEN HOURS BUT HAVEN'T HEARD BACK AND I CALLED TWICE. MY CAR WAS PURCHASED AT " MIKEHONDAHARVEY.COM" IN BURLINGAME CA. *TR

All 30 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2004
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200636300Do not drive
200531330Do not drive
200468320Do not drive
200327610Do not drive
2002 — this page30310Do not drive
200149660Do not drive
20006310Do not drive

Compare every 325Ci year →

Reading this record

NHTSA has issued a do-not-drive warning for a recall on this vehicle.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jan 15, 2020. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.