BMW 325I · model year

1995 BMW 325I

42 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1995BMW325I carries 42 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 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 1995 325I is power train:automatic transmission with 3 filings, followed by power train:manual transmission (3) and air bags (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 1995 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.

42
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

42 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION3
AIR BAGS2
TIRES2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS2
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR1

Recent Complaints

20150617ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEEDLE WENT TO THE HOT POSITION WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND OBSERVED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS STEAMING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR RESERVOIR AND THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V178000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

20100601STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

1- STEERING SHAKES A LOT AT SPEED 45 AND OVER AND UNEVEN WEAR ON BOTH FRONT TIRE. 2- THE SHOP LIFTED UP THE CAR AND SAID THAT BOTH SIDES OF THE FRAME THAT HOLDING THE SWAY BAR ARE RUSTED THROUGH AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE BUT TO GO TO THE DEALER. 3- WELL THE DEALER WAS NOT CO-OPERATIVE ON THE ISSUE AND WANT ME TO PAY FOR THE FIX. *TR

Mileage: 189,000

20100601SUSPENSION

1- STEERING SHAKES A LOT AT SPEED 45 AND OVER AND UNEVEN WEAR ON BOTH FRONT TIRE. 2- THE SHOP LIFTED UP THE CAR AND SAID THAT BOTH SIDES OF THE FRAME THAT HOLDING THE SWAY BAR ARE RUSTED THROUGH AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE BUT TO GO TO THE DEALER. 3- WELL THE DEALER WAS NOT CO-OPERATIVE ON THE ISSUE AND WANT ME TO PAY FOR THE FIX. *TR

Mileage: 189,000

20090423VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO BMW - TO HAVE (THROTTLE RECALL ) WORK PERFORMED. APPARENTLY, IT WAS NOT DONE OR IF IT WAS DONE, WAS NOT TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND NOW, THE VEHICLE WILL JUMP FORWARD, WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. ALSO, BMW HAS REFUSED TO CORRECT THE SHORT IN THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT. WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED, THE 'CHECK 1 REAR BRAKE LIGHT' WILL ILLUMINATE - FOR ABOUT 5 - 7 MINUTES. AIRBAG LIGHT WILL ALSO COME ON WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED. NOW THE VEHICLE WILL STALL IN TRAFFIC, RPM' IS FINE AT 70 MILES PER HOUR ( NOT SAFE), I WOULD PREFER TO DRIVE THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT - IN CALIFORNIA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE INTO THIS MATTER. *TR

Mileage: 196,061

20090423AIR BAGS

TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO BMW - TO HAVE (THROTTLE RECALL ) WORK PERFORMED. APPARENTLY, IT WAS NOT DONE OR IF IT WAS DONE, WAS NOT TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND NOW, THE VEHICLE WILL JUMP FORWARD, WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. ALSO, BMW HAS REFUSED TO CORRECT THE SHORT IN THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT. WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED, THE 'CHECK 1 REAR BRAKE LIGHT' WILL ILLUMINATE - FOR ABOUT 5 - 7 MINUTES. AIRBAG LIGHT WILL ALSO COME ON WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED. NOW THE VEHICLE WILL STALL IN TRAFFIC, RPM' IS FINE AT 70 MILES PER HOUR ( NOT SAFE), I WOULD PREFER TO DRIVE THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT - IN CALIFORNIA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE INTO THIS MATTER. *TR

Mileage: 196,061

20090423SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO BMW - TO HAVE (THROTTLE RECALL ) WORK PERFORMED. APPARENTLY, IT WAS NOT DONE OR IF IT WAS DONE, WAS NOT TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND NOW, THE VEHICLE WILL JUMP FORWARD, WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. ALSO, BMW HAS REFUSED TO CORRECT THE SHORT IN THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT. WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED, THE 'CHECK 1 REAR BRAKE LIGHT' WILL ILLUMINATE - FOR ABOUT 5 - 7 MINUTES. AIRBAG LIGHT WILL ALSO COME ON WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED. NOW THE VEHICLE WILL STALL IN TRAFFIC, RPM' IS FINE AT 70 MILES PER HOUR ( NOT SAFE), I WOULD PREFER TO DRIVE THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT - IN CALIFORNIA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE INTO THIS MATTER. *TR

Mileage: 196,061

20090423FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO BMW - TO HAVE (THROTTLE RECALL ) WORK PERFORMED. APPARENTLY, IT WAS NOT DONE OR IF IT WAS DONE, WAS NOT TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND NOW, THE VEHICLE WILL JUMP FORWARD, WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. ALSO, BMW HAS REFUSED TO CORRECT THE SHORT IN THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT. WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED, THE 'CHECK 1 REAR BRAKE LIGHT' WILL ILLUMINATE - FOR ABOUT 5 - 7 MINUTES. AIRBAG LIGHT WILL ALSO COME ON WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED. NOW THE VEHICLE WILL STALL IN TRAFFIC, RPM' IS FINE AT 70 MILES PER HOUR ( NOT SAFE), I WOULD PREFER TO DRIVE THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT - IN CALIFORNIA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE INTO THIS MATTER. *TR

Mileage: 196,061

20070205ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SAFETY RECALL 98V178000 CONCERNIG ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM. HOWEVER , THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT'S COMPLAINED THAT THEY RECALL INVOLVED THE SAME T FAILURE AS THE CONTACT WAS HAVING WITH THIS VEHICLE.. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FIRST OVERHEATED ON 02/04/07, AND THIS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. SHE WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND THE WEATHER WAS COLD, BUT NICE. ALSO, THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL 97V131000 WITHN WHICH SHE CURRENTLY DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM. HOWEVER SHE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT REPAIRED AS WELL. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD IN THIS CASE THAT THE SAFETY RECALL DIED NOT APPLY TO THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE VIN EITHER. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRS MADE UNDER THE RECALL. *AK

Mileage: 29,000

20070205VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SAFETY RECALL 98V178000 CONCERNIG ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM. HOWEVER , THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT'S COMPLAINED THAT THEY RECALL INVOLVED THE SAME T FAILURE AS THE CONTACT WAS HAVING WITH THIS VEHICLE.. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FIRST OVERHEATED ON 02/04/07, AND THIS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. SHE WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND THE WEATHER WAS COLD, BUT NICE. ALSO, THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL 97V131000 WITHN WHICH SHE CURRENTLY DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM. HOWEVER SHE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT REPAIRED AS WELL. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD IN THIS CASE THAT THE SAFETY RECALL DIED NOT APPLY TO THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE VIN EITHER. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRS MADE UNDER THE RECALL. *AK

Mileage: 29,000

20060103TIRES

BOUGHT FOUR GOODYEAR ASSURANCE TRIPLE TREAD TIRES (WARRANTY FOR 80,000 - 85,000 MILES) AT BELLE TIRE IN JUNE '05. (TIRES NEVER FELT RIGHT.) BY NOVEMBER '05, AFTER ONLY 10,000 MILES, TIRES WERE WORN TO THE TREAD BAR. BELLE TIRE BLAMED EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE TIRE, WENT TO 3 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND WAITED OVER TWO WEEKS FOR PROBLEM TO BE 'RESOLVED'. ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED TO CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. ALSO, BELLE TIRE CHARGED FOR AN ALIGNMENT IN JUNE '05, WHEN IN FACT THE LOCATION DID NOT HAVE THE PROPER EQUIPMENT TO DO THE ALIGNMENT (GERMAN-ENGINEERED VEHICLES REQUIRE SPECIAL EQUIPMENT). BELLE TIRE REFUSED TO REIMBURSE THE ALLEGED 'ALIGNMENT'. *JB

20040901CrashSTRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

I WAS THE VICTIM OF A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT THAT TOTALED MY CAR. AFTER I INITIATED THE INSURANCE CLAIM PROCESS I FOUND OUT THAT I BOUGHT A CAR THAT HAD A "SALVAGE TITLE" WHICH I NEVER KNEW IT HAD. THE DEALER SOLD THE CAR TO ME FOR "FULL KELLEY BLUE BOOK PRICE" AND THE FINANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN COLLECTING MY PAYMENTS BASED ON THE CAR BEING A NON-DEFECT TITLE CAR. ALSO MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN ACCEPTING FULL COVERAGE PAYMENTS FROM ME, HOWEVER, AFTER I HAD THE ACCIDENT AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DISCOVERED IT WAS A "SALVAGE TITLE", NOW THE INSURANCE COMPANY ONLY WANTS TO PAY FOR THE "SALVAGE VALUE" OF THE CAR. I HAVE A 1995 BMW 325I. THE CAR WAS FINANCED, THROUGH THE AUTO DEALERSHIP FOR $15,000. I WAS NEVER TOLD IT WAS A "SALVAGE TITLED CAR". NOW, THE INSURANCE COMPANY ONLY WANTS TO PAY $3,500. I'VE BEEN PAYING ON THE CAR FOR THREE YEARS, $360 PER MONTH. I STILL OWE $11,000 ON THE FINANCE AGREEMENT. DIDN'T THE FINANCE COMPANY KNOW I'D BOUGHT A SALVAGED VEHICLE? AREN'T ALL THREE ENTITIES

20040627ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DEALER RECOMMENDS THAT TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES BE REPLACED BECAUSE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS HAVE WORN, LEAVING BRAKE LIGHTS UNRELIABLE. HOW CAN A NON-MOVING ELECTRICAL PART WEAR OUT? *JB

20040317SEAT BELTS:FRONT

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE OR FOUR TIMES. *PH *NM

20031107POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILED FOR SECOND TIME, VEHICLE HAS FEWER THAN 60,000 MILES. VEHICLE HAS A SYSTEM WHICH BASICALLY SHUTS DOWN THE VEHICLE WHEN A "WARNING" IS GENERATED, AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ISSUE IF I HAVE BEEN ON A FREEWAY. *LA

20030801POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

VEHICLE JUMPED FROM 1ST GEAR TO NEUTRAL.*AK *TS *JB

20030331CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS GETTING INSPECTED, THE ENGINE IDLED ERRATICALLY. THE DEALER SUSPECTED THE PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE DME MAIN COMPUTER. SINCE THE VEHICLE RAN WELL AFTER WARMING UP, THE CONSUMER DECIDED TO POSTPONE THE REPAIR WORK. THE VEHICLE SURGED DRAMATICALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COLD AND CAUSED THE CONSUMER'S WIFE TO RAM INTO THEIR OTHER VEHICLE AND CAUSED DAMAGES TO BOTH. SCC *NLM

20030310ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I ALSO GET THE BRAKE LIGHT CIRCUIT PROBLEM OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THE SHORT IS ACTUALLY IN THE BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING, AND THE METAL CLIP GETS ERODED FROM A HEAT BUILD UP DUE TO THE SHORT. THIS CAUSES A SMALL HOLE IN THE METAL CLIP OF THE BULB, AND THEREFORE, EACH TIME YOU REPLACE THE BULBS, YOU GET A NEW HOLE. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS, AND I JUST KEEP REPLACING THE BULBS AND THE PARTS, SINCE MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. ( I HAVE A '95 325 I THAT I BOUGHT IN '97.) I ALSO HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE LOCK MECHANISM - SOMETIMES THE DRIVERS SIDE LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY WITH THE FRONT SEATS. IT IS JUST EXPECTED THAT BMWS HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. PERHAPS NEXT TIME I WILL GET A HONDA.*JB

Mileage: 81,800

20021127ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK

CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GETTING THE BRAKE LIGHT CIRCUIT FAILURE WARNING. REPLACED THE SWITCH AT DEALER TWICE. REPLACED ALL BULBS SEVERAL TIMES REPLACED FUSE TWICE. CONSTANT PROBLEM AND REPAIR SHOPS ALL SAY BMW HAS CHRONIC ELECTRICAL GLITCHES. I TELL THEM THIS IS NOT A GLITCH, ONE TIME THE BULBS WON'T LIGHT WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES AND I'LL GET REAR-ENDED. DT

20021127SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

SRS WARNING LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMES ON AFTER STARTING THEN GOES OUT AFTER ABOUT 2-3 MINUTES. ALWAYS COMES US AS A CODE 24 FOR BELT BUCKLE SWITCH, HAVE REPLACED IT TWICE AND CLEARED CODE. THE CODE REAPPEARS WITHIN 3 WEEKS. THE SWITCH/SENSOR IS A DEALER ITEM AND THEY CHARGE $110 OR SO TO REPLACE IT AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. DT

20021106ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

WATER PUMP FAILED AT 70555 MILES, THERMOSTAT AT 58000 MILES, AUX COOLING FAN AT 80000, AND NOW RADIATOR AT 92K MILES. ALL COOLING SYSTEM COMPONENTS HAVE FAILED WITHIN 16 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER AND NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION FOR INVESTIGATION. DT

Compare 1995BMW325I to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1995 BMW 325I have?
The 1995 BMW 325I has 42 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1995 BMW 325I?
The most-complained component for the 1995 BMW 325I is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION and AIR BAGS.
Is the 1995 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.