1993 BMW 325I: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 21 owner complaints on record; most reports concern electrical system.
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 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 bmw 325i. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating, the antifreeze was leaking and the radiator fan was inoperable. In addition, the reservoir for the radiator was not mounted correctly. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where the contact was awaiting diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who stated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 155,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2011
“Jack lug wrench that comes equipped with vehicle will bend and break, causing vehicle to collapse. Consumer only had used jack ones.*ak”Owner report · Equipment · Nov 2000
“Consumer contacted dealer for recall 98v178000 repairs. Dealership remedied vehicle as stated in recall, but consumer was experiencing the same problem. Please provide further details.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2000
Show 7 more owner reports
“Vehicle experienced an electrical short after coming out of a car wash. Water got into the computer system. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that repairs would be at consumer cost of approximately $900 or more. An additional $200 or more would be charged to insure that the problem would not reoccur. Provide further details. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2000
“Tl*the contact owns a 1993 bmw 325i. The contact stated that the air conditioning system stopped working and the temperature would not maintain accurate temperatures. Later, the heating unit failed as well. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but repairs were not made because the failures were outside of the warranty and there were no recalls. The contact located a recall, but was unsure if her VIN was included because she never received a notification. The NHTSA campaign id number was unknown. The failure and current mileages were unknown.”Owner report · Equipment · Apr 2000
“Recall 98v178000; dealer replaced radiator cap for the recall. However, heater core still leaks coolant, causing smell and fogging up of the windows which could cause visual difficulty, and result in a crash. Owner is also concerned that the coolant could spill into passenger compartment front foot area. Manufacturer is not willing to replace the heater core. *ak *ml”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 1999
“Vehicle's sun roof entire assembly came off while driving at 70 mph. Dealer contacted and unaware of the problem. No warranty, and cannot remedy the problem, second problem after prior repair work done two brackets stripped from the sun roof. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 1998
“Brake light comes but there is no problem with brake lights. Prior to this, brake bulbs shorted out, but they were replaced. However, this problem still exists. Please provide further information and VIN#. *ak”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 1998
“Consumer said check coolant light cam on at 37,901 miles. Took vehicle to dealer, and dealer replaced water pump housing/ coolant level sensor, and thermostat. Car was sitting for about a year before problem came back at 88,253 miles, consumer took car back to dealer because coolant light was coming on. Dlr replaced radiator, thermostat and water pump. In 1998, received a recall on radiator cap. Took to dealer and they replaced the cap. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 1994
“Blinker on the right side of the car stays on at all times it has drained battery several times where she had to leave her car. Dealer said it was not important”Owner report · Exterior Lighting
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1993 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
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 1993 BMW 325I reliable?
NHTSA has 21 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 BMW 325I. The most complained-about area is electrical system.
Does the 1993 BMW 325I have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. 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.