2002 BMW 325CI: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 29 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags; the 2000 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2022
“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.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Feb 2020
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2017
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2017
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2016
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
“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?”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 325CI by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 BMW 325CI reliable?
NHTSA has 29 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 BMW 325CI. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2002 BMW 325CI have open recalls?
3 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.