2002 Bmw 325i problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (42) · Exterior Lighting (35) · Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls (11)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 325i model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
90 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (5)
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 2018-06-11 · campaign 14V428000 · 574,007 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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 i
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in 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 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.
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.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal 2011-08-26 · campaign 11V438000 · 241,000 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: 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.
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
2025-11-17 · Engine · 168,000 mi · 🔥 fire“the contact owns a 2002 bmw 325i. the contact stated that upon exiting the store, he observed fire emerging from the driver's side dashboard. the vehicle spontaneously combusted and was engulfed in flames. there was no warning light illuminated prior to the failure. the fire department was able to successfully extinguish the fire. no injuries wer…”
2023-07-07 · Structure:body · 🔥 fire“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.…”
2022-01-13 · Air Bags“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 …”
2020-12-22 · Air Bags · 161,000 mi“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…”
2020-02-24 · Air Bags“i have made several appointments with swickley pa dealership to fix the problem with no success. they never show up or call to cancel .they set up 3 rental car delivery days never came. i've been dealing with this problem for about a year now. i've even said don't worry about rental jus to hurry and get done and they still don't come. i've called o…”
2019-11-05 · Engine · 120,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw 325i. while driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly shut off. after restarting the engine, the vehicle operated normally. the vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer and an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage…”
2019-07-27 · Air Bags“airbag light still on in dash even after driver side airbag was replaced by dealer, during recall.…”
2019-05-09 · Exterior Lighting · 80,000 mi“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. …”
2019-03-24 · Air Bags · 130,000 mi · 💥 crash“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 depl…”
2018-10-24 · Electrical System · 168,000 mi · 🔥 fire“on wednesday, seotember 26 2018 - my car had been parked outside since friday, sept 21. it had rained a great deal that weekend. at 1:00 in the afternoon, i went to get in the car and the windows were black from the inside. i had been smelling a strange electircal bruning smell all day. i did not open the door. i called the fire department.they arr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.