2002 BMW 325XI: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 68 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (21% of complaints); the 2001 and 2003 model years look 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 68 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Ignition selaniod isn't working. When I turn the key to start the car, the ignition thinks the car has started, but the engine doesn't turn over. It takes multiple tries to get the car to start.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2017
“The camshaft positioning sensor a circuit intermittent can go bad leading the engine to stop working all together this could cause a very serious accident if driving on the road”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2017
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2002 bmw 325xi. While driving approximately 60 mph, the driver side air bag deployed without warning or impact. The contact sustained burns and bruises on the left arm from the air bag. The contact did not seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Locks occupants in car and cannot electrically or mechanically unlock. Many bmw operators have reported this problem on internet but no recall exists for dealerships to repair/replace. Happens when vehicle is in motion or stationary, on a city street or highway, turning or anytime the system locks the doors trapping occupants”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2002 bmw 325xi. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v3178000 (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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2015
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2002 bmw 325xi. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) however, the parts were unavailable to perform the repairs. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirmed parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2015
“While driving our car the dash lights will come on and the car will loose all power. We have to pull over and turn car off wait a minute with key completely out of the ignition and restart the car then all lights are off and car is completely drivable. This happens multiple times a day no matter what speed is being driven. Also within the same month the locks will not unlock when car is stopped and shut off or by the power button inside the car. As well as our 4 way indicator which is on same switch as the power lock button no longer works.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Nov 2015
“Car was parked in private driveway, 200 feet from street, and had not been driven or started for 4 days. Awoke to car completely engulfed in flames. Fire truck needed to put out fire, and to protect nearby house. Fire inspector could not determine cause of fire, due to extend of damage, though no evidence of vandalism. No comprehensive insurance, so car a complete write off. Salvage yard said they had never seen a car so completely destroyed by fire. Bmw contacted, and completely uninterested and unhelpful. Heard about NHTSA complaint reporting in article about unexplained bmw fires.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2015
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2002 bmw 325xi. 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 not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 11/29/16*lj the consumer stated the part finally arrived and the vehicle was repaired in november 2016. Updated 12/14/16.*jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
“Takata recall. The driver side air bag module has been on recall for over 5 months. This is my daughters can and she is unsafe. Is there an estimate when this replacement modules will be available”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A PROBLEM IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS MAY HAVE RESULTED IN THE CREATION OF A CRACK WHERE THE BRAKE DISC AND THE PARKING BRAKE DRUM MEET. FURTHER CRACKING OF THE ROTOR COULD OCCUR DUE TO BRAKING TORQUE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AND THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE BRAKE DRUM, CONNECTED TO THE WHEEL HUB, WOULD COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE DISC.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH REAR BRAKE ROTORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 25, 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 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.
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 325XI 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 325XI reliable?
NHTSA has 68 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 BMW 325XI. The most complained-about area is engine (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 BMW 325XI problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 67,500 miles or less.
Does the 2002 BMW 325XI have open recalls?
6 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.