Total Complaints
23 filings
BMW 325I · model year
1994 BMW 325I
23 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1994BMW325I carries 23 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 4 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 1994 325I is engine and engine cooling:cooling system with 3 filings, followed by air bags (2) and fuel system, gasoline:delivery (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 1994 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.
23
Complaints
0
Crashes
4
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
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
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 3 |
| AIR BAGS | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 1 |
| CHILD SEAT | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20120408FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE BRACE HOLDING ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS BROKE OFF. IT SEEMS IF BROKE OFF AT THE WELDS. THE STRAP WAS JUST HANGING AND ONLY THE OTHER WAS HOLDING THE FUEL TANK IN PLACE. *TR
Mileage: 188,540
20100406FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER READING WAS INCORRECT. THE MILEAGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD 28,000 MILES WHEN THE TITLE INDICATED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT ANOTHER MECHANIC HAD ALTERED THE ODOMETER. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING, THE FRONT WINDOWS FOGGED AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIR AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Mileage: 28,000
20100406FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER READING WAS INCORRECT. THE MILEAGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD 28,000 MILES WHEN THE TITLE INDICATED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT ANOTHER MECHANIC HAD ALTERED THE ODOMETER. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING, THE FRONT WINDOWS FOGGED AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIR AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Mileage: 28,000
20100406FireVISIBILITY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER READING WAS INCORRECT. THE MILEAGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD 28,000 MILES WHEN THE TITLE INDICATED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT ANOTHER MECHANIC HAD ALTERED THE ODOMETER. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING, THE FRONT WINDOWS FOGGED AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIR AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Mileage: 28,000
20100406FireSEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER READING WAS INCORRECT. THE MILEAGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD 28,000 MILES WHEN THE TITLE INDICATED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT ANOTHER MECHANIC HAD ALTERED THE ODOMETER. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING, THE FRONT WINDOWS FOGGED AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIR AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Mileage: 28,000
20090714ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS LOCKED IN THEIR 1994 BMW 325I AND THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDOWS AND HORN DID NOT WORK EITHER. *JB
20090714LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS LOCKED IN THEIR 1994 BMW 325I AND THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDOWS AND HORN DID NOT WORK EITHER. *JB
20080218ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
FUEL GAUGE INTERMITTENT FAILURE. BMW'S FROM 70'S TO '07 HAVE BEEN NOTED BY OWNERS AS BEING A PERSISTENT PROBLEM. MOST DUE TO FAILURE OF THE SENDING UNITS. MANY OWNERS END UP HAVING THE SENDERS REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES D/T MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE SENDING UNITS. MY E36 HAS 2 SENDING UNITS AND I HAVE BEEN STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD MULTIPLE TIMES. AND THE SAME FOR MANY OTHER OWNERS ON BMW ONLINE BOARDS/FORUMS. I'VE BEEN STUCK IN TRAFFIC WHERE I MERELY MISSED AN ACCIDENT BY MANEUVERING W/O ENGINE POWER. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. BMW HAS CONTINUED TO HAVE THESE PROBLEMS AND SHOULD RECALL THE FAILED UNITS THAT JUST KEEP FAILING. *TR
Mileage: 90,000
20080218FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
FUEL GAUGE INTERMITTENT FAILURE. BMW'S FROM 70'S TO '07 HAVE BEEN NOTED BY OWNERS AS BEING A PERSISTENT PROBLEM. MOST DUE TO FAILURE OF THE SENDING UNITS. MANY OWNERS END UP HAVING THE SENDERS REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES D/T MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE SENDING UNITS. MY E36 HAS 2 SENDING UNITS AND I HAVE BEEN STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD MULTIPLE TIMES. AND THE SAME FOR MANY OTHER OWNERS ON BMW ONLINE BOARDS/FORUMS. I'VE BEEN STUCK IN TRAFFIC WHERE I MERELY MISSED AN ACCIDENT BY MANEUVERING W/O ENGINE POWER. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. BMW HAS CONTINUED TO HAVE THESE PROBLEMS AND SHOULD RECALL THE FAILED UNITS THAT JUST KEEP FAILING. *TR
Mileage: 90,000
20041230POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION JUMPED OUT OF 1ST GEAR WITH ENGINE LOAD. *BF THE CONSUMER REQUESTED ASSISTANCE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. *SC *JB
20040701EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE, HOWEVER THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NM THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULBS BURNED OUT. *SC *JB
Mileage: 30,000
20030625CHILD SEAT
CHILD SEAT WOULD NOT LATCH ONTO LEFT SIDE OF BASE. *MR PH
20020625EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO OPEN LEFT REAR DOOR FROM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED.*JB
20020625STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO OPEN LEFT REAR DOOR FROM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED.*JB
20020320ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
VEHICLE WILL STALL IN RAIN. DEALER DETERMINED THAT COMPUTER MODULE GOT WET AND VEHICLE WILL EITHER STALL OR NOT START. COMPUTER MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. *AK
20010731FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
FUEL LINE LEAKS REALLY BAD CAN CAUSE FIRE HAZARD IN THE ENGINE IS HOT BUT THE BMW DEALER JUST SAID THAT THE RUBBER HOSE CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME.*AK
20010709ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE RADIATOR CAP FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 98V-178, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS IS DUE TO IMPROPER RADIATOR DESIGN. NLM
20001219SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
LEFT REAR SEAT BELT NEVER WORKED, UNIT WAS NOT REPAIRABLE AND WAS REPLACED, BMW REFUSED TO HELP WITH EXPENSE. *MJS
20000221ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
THE PROBLEM DEALS SPECIFICALLY WITH THE LOCATION OF THE SUPPLY HOSE (PART OF THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM) FROM THE RESERVOIR TANK TO THE RADIATOR. THE FIRST TIME THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED WAS ON THE DATE OF THIS REPORT. IT WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ABOUT A YEAR AGO. THE SUPPLY HOSE IS LOCATED RIGHT UNDER THE FAN SHROUD. IT IS HELD UP BY 2 CLAMPS THAT ARE MOLDED ONTO THE FAN SHROUD. THIS WHOLE ASSEMBLY (SHROUD AND CLAMPS) APPEAR TO ME TO BE A PLASTIC MATERIAL. WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS THAT THE SUPPLY HOSE HAS COME LOSE FROM THE CLAMPS THAT ARE MOLDED ONTO THE SHROUD ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME IT SHEARED OFF 2 FAN BLADES AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY BY THE DEALER. THE SECOND TIME IT CAME LOOSE IT THE HOSE SHEARED OFF ALL OF THE FAN BLADES THUS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT TO THE POITN THE ENGINE WAS RUINED. THE PISTON COMPLETELY TURNED OVER IN THE CYLINDER CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LOCK UP. APPARENTLY
19990823ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
RECALL COMPONENT FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL (98V-178), CONSUMER IS HAVING TROUBLE GETTING REIMBURSEMENT.
Compare 1994BMW325I to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1994 BMW 325I have?▼
The 1994 BMW 325I has 23 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 BMW 325I?▼
The most-complained component for the 1994 BMW 325I is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY.
Is the 1994 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.