Total Complaints
10 filings
BMW 325I · model year
1989 BMW 325I
10 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1989BMW325I carries 10 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1989 325I is engine and engine cooling:cooling system with 2 filings, followed by service brakes, air:antilock (1) and vehicle speed control:linkages (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 1989 325I. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
10
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20070206FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1989 BMW 325I - FUEL LINE DISINTEGRATION. THERE WAS A RECALL IN 1994 - WENT TO DEALER TO HAVE FIXED - DEALER DECLINE "NO OUTSTANDING RECALL", CALLED BMW 800 831 1117 ON 2/6/2007 - PROVIDED VIN AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO OUTSTANDING RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN RECALL 94V066000 IS BEING EXPERIENCED BY THIS VEHICLE. IF BMW FIXED IT, THE FIX IS DEFECTIVE. A 1989 CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE FUEL LINES DEGRADING AN SPILLING GASOLINE ON THE ENGINE. SEEMS THE RECALL NEEDS ANOTHER RECALL OR THERE WILL BE A FIRE AND PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. *JB
Mileage: 160,000
20050824ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
PROBLEM WITH COOLING SYSTEM BEGAN WITHIN APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH OF PURCHASE DATE (. CAR BOUGHT USED, FROM MECHANIC/BMW AUTHORIZED REPAIR SERVICE (SAME MECHANIC IN FOLLOWING NARRATIVE). NOTICED 1): COOLANT LIGHT COMING ON; COOLANT LEVEL SLIGHTLY LOW; TOLD PROBLEM WAS DEFECTIVE COMPUTER CHIP, TOLD TO KEEP EYE ON COOLANT LEVEL; BROUGHT CAR IN AGAIN BECAUSE LIGHT COMING ON MORE OFTEN, COOLANT LEVEL LOW TO EMPTY IN OVERFLOW AFTER MEDIUM-LONG DISTANCE DRIVE (75 - 100 MILES); TOLD TO JUST KEEP PUTTING COOLANT IN OVERFLOW, NOTHING WAS WRONG; ASKED MECHANIC TO CHECK THE COOLANT SYSTEM EVERY TIME WE BROUGHT CAR IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE; SAME PROBLEM CONTINUES, BUT TRAVEL DISTANCE IS LESS (50-75 MILES), BROUGHT IN AGAIN, TOLD RADIATOR LEAKING; MECHANIC PUT STOP-LEAK IN IT; SAME PROBLEM, EVEN LESS TRAVEL DISTANCE (30 MILES); REPLACED RADIATOR; SAME PROBLEM CONTINUED,(AFTER DRIVING 25-35 MILES), TOLD TO KEEP EYE ON COOLANT LEVEL; TRAVEL DISTANCE 13 MILES, LIGHT GOES ON, ENGINE MAKES LOUD NOIS
20050824VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
PROBLEM WITH COOLING SYSTEM BEGAN WITHIN APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH OF PURCHASE DATE (. CAR BOUGHT USED, FROM MECHANIC/BMW AUTHORIZED REPAIR SERVICE (SAME MECHANIC IN FOLLOWING NARRATIVE). NOTICED 1): COOLANT LIGHT COMING ON; COOLANT LEVEL SLIGHTLY LOW; TOLD PROBLEM WAS DEFECTIVE COMPUTER CHIP, TOLD TO KEEP EYE ON COOLANT LEVEL; BROUGHT CAR IN AGAIN BECAUSE LIGHT COMING ON MORE OFTEN, COOLANT LEVEL LOW TO EMPTY IN OVERFLOW AFTER MEDIUM-LONG DISTANCE DRIVE (75 - 100 MILES); TOLD TO JUST KEEP PUTTING COOLANT IN OVERFLOW, NOTHING WAS WRONG; ASKED MECHANIC TO CHECK THE COOLANT SYSTEM EVERY TIME WE BROUGHT CAR IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE; SAME PROBLEM CONTINUES, BUT TRAVEL DISTANCE IS LESS (50-75 MILES), BROUGHT IN AGAIN, TOLD RADIATOR LEAKING; MECHANIC PUT STOP-LEAK IN IT; SAME PROBLEM, EVEN LESS TRAVEL DISTANCE (30 MILES); REPLACED RADIATOR; SAME PROBLEM CONTINUED,(AFTER DRIVING 25-35 MILES), TOLD TO KEEP EYE ON COOLANT LEVEL; TRAVEL DISTANCE 13 MILES, LIGHT GOES ON, ENGINE MAKES LOUD NOIS
20050824FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
PROBLEM WITH COOLING SYSTEM BEGAN WITHIN APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH OF PURCHASE DATE (. CAR BOUGHT USED, FROM MECHANIC/BMW AUTHORIZED REPAIR SERVICE (SAME MECHANIC IN FOLLOWING NARRATIVE). NOTICED 1): COOLANT LIGHT COMING ON; COOLANT LEVEL SLIGHTLY LOW; TOLD PROBLEM WAS DEFECTIVE COMPUTER CHIP, TOLD TO KEEP EYE ON COOLANT LEVEL; BROUGHT CAR IN AGAIN BECAUSE LIGHT COMING ON MORE OFTEN, COOLANT LEVEL LOW TO EMPTY IN OVERFLOW AFTER MEDIUM-LONG DISTANCE DRIVE (75 - 100 MILES); TOLD TO JUST KEEP PUTTING COOLANT IN OVERFLOW, NOTHING WAS WRONG; ASKED MECHANIC TO CHECK THE COOLANT SYSTEM EVERY TIME WE BROUGHT CAR IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE; SAME PROBLEM CONTINUES, BUT TRAVEL DISTANCE IS LESS (50-75 MILES), BROUGHT IN AGAIN, TOLD RADIATOR LEAKING; MECHANIC PUT STOP-LEAK IN IT; SAME PROBLEM, EVEN LESS TRAVEL DISTANCE (30 MILES); REPLACED RADIATOR; SAME PROBLEM CONTINUED,(AFTER DRIVING 25-35 MILES), TOLD TO KEEP EYE ON COOLANT LEVEL; TRAVEL DISTANCE 13 MILES, LIGHT GOES ON, ENGINE MAKES LOUD NOIS
20040114SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
FRONT SEAT BELT LACHES ARE DIFFICULT TO LATCH. THEY ALSO COME UNLATCHED BY THEMSELVES PERIODICALLY WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TWO BMW'S AN 87 325E AND AN 89 325I THAT HAVE BOTH HAD THIS PROBLEM. IT IS VERY UNNERVING TO WONDER WHETHER THE LACH ON THE SEATBELT WILL HOLD YOU IF YOU HAVE AN ACCIDENT.*AK
Mileage: 127,500
20031015ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE, TACHOMETER, MPG GAUGE BATTERIES ON SI BOARD FAILED CAUSING ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE, TACHOMETER, MPG GAUGE TO STOP WORKING. SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT FROM NOT KNOWING ENGINE TEMP. *LA
Mileage: 242,000
20030325ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED. *JB
20020613VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
WHILE SHIFTING GEAR TO DRIVE AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UP TO 60 MPH. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
20020613CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WITH FOOT ON BRAKE CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF AT 60 MPH, CONSUMER CAME TO A STOP WHEN VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER CAR.*AK *MJ
19990302SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
NO SUMMARY
Compare 1989BMW325I to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1989 BMW 325I have?▼
The 1989 BMW 325I has 10 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 BMW 325I?▼
The most-complained component for the 1989 BMW 325I is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES.
Is the 1989 BMW 325I safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.