2002 BMW 325: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 26 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Takata recall. We are under recall 17v047. For four months, we have been calling and doing on-line chats with bmw of mobile (mobile, alabama). Every call or chat ends with them asking for our phone number and email address. They say they will contact us shortly with info on when or if the recall can be done. They have never once called or emailed us back. I can understand that it might take a while, but they could at least let us know what is going on while we are driving this dangerous car. Is there anything we can do about this, or do we wait and be ignored until something really bad happens? Aren't they required to honor this recall?”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2017
“Can not unlock car in any way. The relays in the gm5 module which give power to the actuators become weak and can not open car. Car can not be opened with car key as key hole is also electronic. In the end I cant get inside the car.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2016
“While vehicle was in motion on a straight highway, the passenger in the right rear seat leaned forward, extending the shoulder seat belt from its retractor. The right rear seat belt failed to retract when the passenger sat upright and will not retract now that the vehicle is parked on level ground.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2016
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“Takata recall. My complaint concerns the delay in parts availability to fix driver's side airbag. This is taking way to long and am worried as to possibility of injury, or worse, if involve in an accident. In my opinion "lack of parts" is taking way too long .nothing has happened yet.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2015
“Third window regulator broke on my 2002 bmw 325 - three different windows. I finally got sick of it and called bmw north america and they refuse to do anything about it. The windows go down & you can't get them back up. I did an internet search and easily found tons more complaints. Obviously this is a defective part that bmw should be forced to make good on - it needs to be recalled and anyone who already paid to fix it should be reimbursed. Cheap rotten parts. Here's one example of what I saw when I searched on the internet -. Http://repairpal.com/rear-window-regulator-455 and here is another one http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=802143. *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Dec 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw 325. While the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the contact discovered that the driver side air bag deployed and evidence of a fire was present. The contact indicated that the dashboard was melted and burn marks were present throughout the cabin of the vehicle. The front windshield was shattered and the ceiling panel was burned and hanging down. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2014
“None of the passenger locks open, automatically or manually. This is a serious safety hazard if there is an accident or fire. No one can get out. *js”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw 325. The contact stated that another vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was unconscious immediately after the impact. The contact was taken to a hospital where he sustained bruising on his neck, the shoulders and a severe concussion. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2014
“We purchased our bmw 325 new in 2002. This car has been garage kept and well cared for. The vehicle has only 70,000 miles on the car. This car is now on it's 3rd set of control arms on the vehicle. I have heard this is a common problem but bmw refuses to issue a recall or service notification. Obviously the parts that are being used to replace the previous parts are defective. We have been told that they are "official" bmw parts. If this defect was not discovered and failed at slower or at highway speeds it could cause life threatening injuries or worse. Additionally the fix is very expensive to repair. Can you look into this? *tr”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw 325i. The contact stated that all of the exterior lights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that all of the exterior lights would need replacing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who advised that a recall would be issued by the end of october for the failure and offered no further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 125,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 325i and 325xi Sedan, and 323Ci, 325Ci, and 330Ci Convertible vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles that may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. The frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of previous recalls, numbers 17V-047 and 19V-015.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 BMW 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323Ci, 325Ci, 330Ci, M3, 323iT, 325iT and 325xiT vehicles, 2001-2002 525i, 530i, 540i, M5, 525iT and 540iT vehicles, and 2001-2003 X5 3.0i, X5 4.4i, and X5 4.6is vehicles. These vehicles may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. These replacement modules contain an air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
How other years compare
Check your exact 325 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
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Is the 2002 BMW 325 reliable?
NHTSA has 26 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 BMW 325. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2002 BMW 325 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.