2002 BMW 325I: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 162 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (32% of complaints).
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 162 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“On Tuesday June 20, 2023 at 7:20am I was awakened by my neighbor who informed me that my car was on fire. A report was done by the fire department and they did not believe it was done on purpose but something with my car. My car was totally consumed with fire nothing but ashes.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2023
“I got a notice in the mail for an airbag recall. I called the number (877-225-0472) in early December. I was told to call Fremont BMW (510-360-5902) The first question they asked was: Did you buy your vehicle from us? I told them that the car is not currently registered. They told me to schedule a tow on my mobile phone. I don't have a mobile phone. The notice said that some of the dealers have mobile service where they come to your house. They said they would get back to me. That was over a month ago. I don't think BMW is taking this recall seriously.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2021
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2002 bmw 325i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v018000 (air bags) however, shortly after the recall repair was performed, the air bags warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to bmw of ontario (1350 auto center dr, ontario, ca 91761; (909) 402-3052) and the dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 161,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw 325i. The contact stated that the tail lights failed to function. The tail light warning light illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2019
“On september 7, 2018 I lend my car to my son so he could run some school related errands he needed to attend to. That day he had also taken my daughter with him as they were going to have lunch after he had finished all of the errands he had to do for that day. Around 3:10 p.m. My son got into an accident which had caused both front airbags to deploy. Soon after the accident a noticeable cut was noticed on my daughter left cheek which was caused from the air bag deployment.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2018
“2002 325 I. Consumer writes in regards to air bag safety recall. Consumer states that they were never notified of recall. *ld *js *js”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw 325i. The contact stated that the wiring harness in the blower motor experienced a failure for the third time after being repaired. There were no warning indicators illuminated at the time of the failure. The vehicle was taken to peter pan bmw (1625 adrian rd, burlingame, ca 94010 650) 204-7600) where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness in the blower motor needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was repaired independently. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 141,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2017
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2002 bmw 325i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 13v172000 (air bags) and 15v318000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (bmw seattle, 1002 airport way s, seattle, wa 98134 (206) 829-5004) was contacted and informed the contact that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2017
“"takata recall" bmw does not appear to take this recall serious. I called # on hugh glossy postcard, spent over 10 min --- no human. Called national # they said they could forward me to local # (back where I started.) got return call told her I needed 4 pm appoint. Oh now they only ha appoints til 1:30. This bmw location does not care about "urgent recall notice" talked to a guy (higher up) . When I insisted I needed 4 pm appoint he hung up!”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2017
“The rear coil springs have broken three (3) times. The car was purchased new in 2001. The springs failed at 52000 miles in 2008, at 77000 miles in 2013 and at 89000 miles in 2017. The bottom coils fractured and rusting in the area was evident. I have both broken springs from the latest incident. Bmw refuses to participate in the cost to repair. Bmw cost is $1100. This is a safety issue.”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 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.
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. 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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE STRUT MOUNT MANUFACTURING PROCESS, THE THRUST BEARING WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONS AND SECURED. IF THE SUSPENSION IS FULLY UNLOADED, THE FRONT STRUT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE UPPER MOUNT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRING STRUT UPPER MOUNTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 325I, 325XI, 330I, AND 330XI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2001, THROUGH MARCH 1, 2005. OVER TIME, RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY CAUSE ONE OR MORE REAR LAMP FUNCTIONS (TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND/OR TURN-SIGNAL), WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S BODY PANEL, TO STOP WORKING.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES 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 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 2002 BMW 325I reliable?
NHTSA has 162 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 BMW 325I. The most complained-about area is air bags (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 BMW 325I problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 81,050 miles or less.
Does the 2002 BMW 325I have open recalls?
7 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.