1992 BMW 325I: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 40 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (31% of complaints); the 1993 and 1994 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 1998
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl*the contact owns a 1992 bmw 325i. Whenever the contact locks the doors from the outside of the vehicle, he is unable to unlock them from inside the passenger compartment. Once he locks the doors, the door handles and locks fail inside the passenger compartment. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 200,000.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Aug 2008
“While entering into the vehicle the door failed to opened. The left and right side door was unable to open properly. The driver was able to contact the dealer for appointment. Please provide additional information. *jb”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2005
“I own a 1992 bmw 325i, ive encountered a problem, the rear sub frame is breaking apart from the body of the car. This seems to be a expensive problem that occurs to many bmws. This is not normal wear and tear on a car, this is a defect that bmw should acknowledge. *ak”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2003
Show 7 more owner reports
“Took car through car wash. Car came out dead. Turns out that this is a common problem where water gets into the main ecm computer and shorts it out. This is terrible. Bmw should issue a recall for this. $1100 for going through a simple car wash. Owners should be cautioned. Mr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2002
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2002
“Noise in the rear of car (subframe) kind of like its own squeak... Not like a door squeak, nothing else makes this noise, sounds really bad (subframe problem?)”Owner report · Structure · May 2001
“While at a stop another vehicle driving at high speed hit consumer's vehicle at a frontal impact in which driver's air bag did not deploy, and did not protect occupant in this crash. No previous problems with airbag. Please provide further information. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2000
“Car overheated while driving at about 40 mph. Exact miles traveled while overheated unknown, but less than 10. Subsequent repairs indicated failed water pump (plastic impeller cracked) which caused overheating and damaged head gasket. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2000
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 1999
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 1999
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact 325I 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 1992 BMW 325I reliable?
NHTSA has 40 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1992 BMW 325I. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (31% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1992 BMW 325I problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 158,000 miles or less.
Does the 1992 BMW 325I have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal. 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.