BMW 325I · model year

1993 BMW 325I

25 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1993BMW325I carries 25 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 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 1993 325I is engine and engine cooling:cooling system:radiator assembly with 4 filings, followed by electrical system:ignition:module (4) and vehicle speed control:linkages (2). 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 1993 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.

25
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

25 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL1
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS1
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE1
STEERING1
EQUIPMENT1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS1

Recent Complaints

20110531ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING, THE ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING AND THE RADIATOR FAN WAS INOPERABLE. IN ADDITION, THE RESERVOIR FOR THE RADIATOR WAS NOT MOUNTED CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

Mileage: 155,000

20090121EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING AND THE TEMPERATURE WOULD NOT MAINTAIN ACCURATE TEMPERATURES. LATER, THE HEATING UNIT FAILED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT REPAIRS WERE NOT MADE BECAUSE THE FAILURES WERE OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CONTACT LOCATED A RECALL, BUT WAS UNSURE IF HER VIN WAS INCLUDED BECAUSE SHE NEVER RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

20031003FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

THE SEALS ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK LEAKED GAS. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *NM THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS WOULD ONLY HAPPEN IF THE SENDING UNIT SEALS ARE DEFECTIVE. *SC THE DEALER FOUND THAT A HOSE AND SENDING UNIT SEALS WERE LEAKING FUEL ON TOP OF THE TANK *JB

20020911STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

THE SUBFRAME CRACKED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION. THE CRACK IS LOCATED ON THE SUBFRAME WHERE THE REAR CONTROL ARM ATTACHED. I M AFRIAD THAT THE REAR AXLE MAY FALL OFF THE VEHICLE DURING DRIVING. I HAVE FOUND OTHER OWNER COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ON THE E36 DESIGN. THIS IS A WEAKNES ON THE SURFRAME THAT CASUES IT TO FAIL IN FATIGUE. I AM A METALLURGICAL ENGINEER AND HAVE VISUALLY INSPECTED THE CRACK. IT DID NOT SHOWN ANY CORROSION, THUS INDICIATING THAT IT IS NOT A ENVIRONMENTAL INDUCE FAILURE. THIS PROBLREM IS A MANUFACTURE PROBLEM IN AN INADEQUATELY DESGINED COMPONENT. A SUBFRAME IS A STRUCTURE COMPONENT AND SHOULD FAIL UDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS.THE ESTIMATE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IS OVER $4000.00. IHAVE CONTACTED BMW CUSTOMER RELATION, THE REPRESENTATIVE HAS DENIED THE PROBLEM AND REFUSED TO LET ME TALL TO HER SUPERVISOR. I BELIEVE THIS IS SAFETY RELATED ISSUE AND HOPE THAT NHTSA CAN ASSIST THE CAR OWNERS TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.*AK

20020508EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEADLIGHTS: HEADLIGHTS ON LIGHT TRUCKS AND SUV'S ARE TOO HIGH. THIS CAUSES CAR DRIVERS TO BE BLINDED, SO THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE WHERE TO DRIVE. A SECONDARY EFFECT IS TO CAUSE ROAD RAGE, WITH CONSEQUENCES RANGING FROM NONE TO MURDER. FMVSS SHOUD BE CHANGED TO LIMIT THE HEIGHT OF HEADLIGHTS.*AK

20011126ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

RECALL 98V178000; VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED SIX TIMES FOR ENGINE COOLING THERMOSTAT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

20011101SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

DRIVERS SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT ALWAYS AND THE SEATBELT WITH BE LOOSE AND UNSAFE.*AK

20011030ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER FOR RECALL 98V178000 REPAIRS. DEALERSHIP REMEDIED VEHICLE AS STATED IN RECALL, BUT CONSUMER WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

20001128EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT

JACK LUG WRENCH THAT COMES EQUIPPED WITH VEHICLE WILL BEND AND BREAK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO COLLAPSE. CONSUMER ONLY HAD USED JACK ONES.*AK

20000830ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

CONSUMER SAID CHECK COOLANT LIGHT CAM ON AT 37,901 MILES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP HOUSING/ COOLANT LEVEL SENSOR, AND THERMOSTAT. CAR WAS SITTING FOR ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE PROBLEM CAME BACK AT 88,253 MILES, CONSUMER TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALER BECAUSE COOLANT LIGHT WAS COMING ON. DLR REPLACED RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT AND WATER PUMP. IN 1998, RECEIVED A RECALL ON RADIATOR CAP. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE CAP. *AK

20000830ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

CONSUMER SAID CHECK COOLANT LIGHT CAM ON AT 37,901 MILES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP HOUSING/ COOLANT LEVEL SENSOR, AND THERMOSTAT. CAR WAS SITTING FOR ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE PROBLEM CAME BACK AT 88,253 MILES, CONSUMER TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALER BECAUSE COOLANT LIGHT WAS COMING ON. DLR REPLACED RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT AND WATER PUMP. IN 1998, RECEIVED A RECALL ON RADIATOR CAP. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE CAP. *AK

20000731VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FAILED. *MJS

20000731VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FAILED. *ET

20000502ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AFTER COMING OUT OF A CAR WASH. WATER GOT INTO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER COST OF APPROXIMATELY $900 OR MORE. AN ADDITIONAL $200 OR MORE WOULD BE CHARGED TO INSURE THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD NOT REOCCUR. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

20000501STEERING

STEERING LOCKS UP INTERMITTENLY IN THE START POSITION, WINDOWS AND SUNROOF INOPERATIVE, GAS INTERMITTENLY GIVES INCORRECT READING OF FUEL

20000501EQUIPMENT

STEERING LOCKS UP INTERMITTENLY IN THE START POSITION, WINDOWS AND SUNROOF INOPERATIVE, GAS INTERMITTENLY GIVES INCORRECT READING OF FUEL

20000501FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

STEERING LOCKS UP INTERMITTENLY IN THE START POSITION, WINDOWS AND SUNROOF INOPERATIVE, GAS INTERMITTENLY GIVES INCORRECT READING OF FUEL

20000426ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN WATER FROM RAIN OR CAR WASH FILLS UP IN THE DRAIN WHERE COMPUTER PROCESSOR IS PLACED. YH

20000426ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN WATER FROM RAIN OR CAR WASH FILLS UP IN THE DRAIN WHERE COMPUTER PROCESSOR IS PLACED. YH

20000322ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER CAR WASH DUE TO WATER CONTAMINATION/CLOGGING OF THE ECM. MJS

Compare 1993BMW325I to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1993 BMW 325I have?
The 1993 BMW 325I has 25 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1993 BMW 325I?
The most-complained component for the 1993 BMW 325I is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES.
Is the 1993 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.