2002 Bmw 325ci problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (22) · Suspension:rear (1) · Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 325ci model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (3)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2020-01-15 · campaign 20V018000 · 292,948 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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 d
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2015-05-28 · campaign 15V318000 · 419,235 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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 vehicle
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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 r
Air Bags 2013-05-02 · campaign 13V172000 · 43,204 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (16)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2024-01-16 · B510819 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar 2021-04-01 · B340414 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
diagnosis of compound brake system complaints in m vehicles: 1. visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees f) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2020-11-01 · B651820 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service action - head air bag holder retrofit: a rattle noise may develop from the head air bag (its) gas generator contacting adjacent component. this noise can be heard while driving on an uneven roadway.
Air Bags 2019-04-01 · B013118 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
takata air bag recall-related short-term alternate transportation and consequential repairs this service information bulletin supersedes si b01 31 18 dated october 2018.
Air Bags 2019-04-01 · B013118 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
takata air bag recall-related short-term alternate transportation and consequential repairs this service information bulletin supersedes si b01 31 18 dated october 2018.
Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module 2019-01-01 · B011618 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
takata class action settlement. customer support program. front driver side airbag modules.
Showing the 6 most recent of 16 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-18 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel · 164,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 bmw 325ci. the contact received notifications of nhtsa campaign numbers: 15v318000 (air bags) and 13v172000 (air bags). the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall repairs were completed. the vehicle was retrieved from the dealer. the contact stated that upon retrieving the vehicle from the dealer, the contact's hus…”
2026-01-30 · Air Bags“i brought my 325ci into bmw buena park to have an airbag recall completed. there were no issues prior to dropping the car off at dealership but when the car was returned the airbag system light was on and was filled with error codes. i returned the car to the dealer and they cleared the codes but on my way home the dash light returned and faults …”
2022-04-27 · Air Bags“2002 bmw 325 i. consumer writes in regards to airbag safety recall. the consumer stated the air bag warning light remained illuminated after the recall repair was completed. the dealer and manufacturer stated the consumer would be responsible for any remaining expenses.the vehicle's warranty has expired.…”
2020-02-12 · Seat Belts · 199,000 mi“when putting on seatbelt on both driver and passenger side the seatbelt will go in and moments later during driving it will unclique and come off this happens every once in a while not all the time. just happens while the vehicle is in motion and stationary mostly while the vehicle is stationary. you can hear it click and sometimes i even pull it t…”
2018-09-17 · Air Bags · 115,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owned a 2002 bmw 325ci. the contact called on behalf of the driver. while making a left turn, the contact's vehicle was involved in a head on collision. the air bags failed to deploy. the driver of the contact's vehicle sustained bruises, but did not require medical attention. the driver of the other vehicle was not injured. a polic…”
2017-07-13 · Air Bags · 145,314 mi“just took my 2002 bmw in to replace defective airbags. bmw sterling, va wanted $1611.05 to replace airbag control unit/sid. did not pay them... this should be looked into immediately... they are ripping people off. they replaced the airbags and you have a light on - so are they functional or not... they are ripping people off... [xxx] [xxx].…”
2017-02-08 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2002 bmw 325ci. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 13v172000 (air bags) and 15v318000 (air bags); however, the parts were not available for the recall repair. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the contact had not experi…”
2016-11-02 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2002 bmw 325ci. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags). the part to do the repair was not available. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. the contact had not …”
2016-10-18 · Air Bags“i got this recall last year...i called the dealership here in clear lake houston, and i was told they don't make the airbags for this recall... and he said call back ......well i have for 2 years not! then i got a new letter saying that they where in stock and make an appointment so i callled the dealership again.........and again i was told they d…”
2016-09-08 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2002 bmw 325ci. 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 notified of the issue. the contact had n…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.