1993 BMW 325IS: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 16 owner complaints on record; most reports concern structure; the 1992 model year looks 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 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I have a 1993 325is bmw. And there are a number of problems. On rainy days I can hear water in the floor boards. The door panels are both coming ungluded and bubbling. My driver side floor mat hits the gas petal. The check coolant light on my computer is always on, the the coolant is low even after I fill it. I am afaid my car will overheat.*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Mar 2005
“While the vehicle was parked, the consumer noticed a liquid leaking from underneath the vehicle. The consumer was able to drive to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the consumer that the fuel sending unit and fuel pump needed replacement. Please fill in additional information. *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2004
“The rear subframe mount points have ripped in at least one place from the unibody resulting in not being able to safely drive the car. I caught it early so no injury has resulted. This is a common (unacceptable) problem with these cars (bmw e36). *jb”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“Vehicle experienced failure of the recall component prior to notice resulting in damage to engine cooling system components (98v-178). Mjs”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 1999
“Brake lights work intermittently! Display on dash reads"brake light failure". (also, intermittently!) dealer has informed us that defective brake switch has already been replaced. They will replace switch for $100.00. Would this be a normal failure rate on a 6 year old vehicle? *ak”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 1998
“The passenger side seat belt will not latch properly. The locking mechanisim is not catching so the latch fails to lock. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 1998
“Rear sub frame torn at 2 right points, and cracked around the left forward most mount point. Vehicle had not been abused, driven off-road, or on a race track. All original whell, suspension and driveline components were in good working order. *ak”Owner report · Structure · Feb 1997
“Rear seat belts will not release from the retracting mechanism, causing the seat belts to become inoperable. Please give any further details.*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts
“Vehicle overheated and when the consumer raised the hood to check the radiator the top flange of the composite radiator broke off under the pressure of the overheating system and sprayed the consumer with scalding coolant causing severe burn injuries (attorney for consumer), the defect was possibly related to recall campaign #93v-015 and 98v-178. *mjs”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling
“Headlights have turned a yellow milky color. I have observed this in other cars of similar type and been told by a bmw mechanic that this is a common occurence with the bmw's. The interior door panel has come unglued and is bubbling. I have also been told by a bmw mechanic and an upholstery repairman that this is a common occurence with the bmw's. I have contacted bmw of north america concerning both problems and been told that the dealer must make the repairs. I contacted a dealer to make the repairs and was told it was not their problem. *ak”Owner report · Exterior Lighting
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact 325IS 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 325IS reliable?
NHTSA has 16 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 BMW 325IS. The most complained-about area is structure.
Does the 1993 BMW 325IS 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.