BMW 325I · model year

2002 BMW 325I

198 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002BMW325I carries 198 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 24 fires, 7 injuries, and 1 fatality. 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 2002 325I is air bags with 45 filings, followed by exterior lighting (38) and electrical system (16). 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. This model year has 7 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2002 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.

198
Complaints
9
Crashes
24
Fires
7
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

198 filings

Crashes Reported

9 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS45
EXTERIOR LIGHTING38
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM16
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS12
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION6
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS6
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS4
ENGINE4
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES3
STRUCTURE3
STEERING3
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES3
SERVICE BRAKES3

Recalls (7)

07E02300029/03/2007

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAI

15V31800028/05/2015

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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,

11V43800026/08/2011

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

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 VEHICL

02V05700019/02/2002

SUSPENSION

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE STRUT MOUNT MANUFACTURING PROCESS, THE THRUST BEARING WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONS AND SECURED. IF THE SUSPENSION IS FULLY UNLOADED, THE FRONT STRUT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE UPPER MOUNT.

20V01800015/01/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 PS

14V42800011/06/2018

AIR BAGS

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; 2001-200

13V17200002/05/2013

AIR BAGS

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 causin

Recent Complaints

20251117FireENGINE

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 were reported. The vehicle was still in the parking lot where the incident occurred. A police officer was on the scene, but no report was filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the automated system confirmed there was no recall coverage. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000.

Mileage: 168,000

20230707FireSTRUCTURE:BODY

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.

20230707FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20230707FireENGINE

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.

20220113AIR 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 phone. The notice said that some of the dealers have mobile service where they come to your house. They said they would get back to me. That was over a month ago. I don't think BMW is taking this recall seriously.

20201222AIR BAGS

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 AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 161,000.

Mileage: 161,000

20200224AIR 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 OFF FOR THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND STILL IT'S NOT DONE. SINCE I'VE BEEN FIRED BECAUSE OF THIS AND STILL NOT FIXED. THE LAST TIME I CALLED THE SHOCKLEY DEALERSHIP SAID NOW THEY WON'T DO IT BECAUSE I'M UNHAPPY WITH THERE SERVICE. I REALLY WOULD LIKE THE PROBLEM REMEDY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT FROM THE RECALL. I AM A SINGLE FATHER OF 2 AND I REALLY CAN'T AFFORD FOR ME OR KIDS TO B INJURED IN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT FROM INSIDE THE CAR. A SMALL ACCIDENT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND. I AM GOING TO TRY TO CONTACT BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU NEXT

20191105ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

20191105ENGINE

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 WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

20190727AIR BAGS

AIRBAG LIGHT STILL ON IN DASH EVEN AFTER DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG WAS REPLACED BY DEALER, DURING RECALL.

20190509EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

Mileage: 80,000

20190324CrashAIR BAGS

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 DEPLOY. SOON AFTER THE ACCIDENT A NOTICEABLE CUT WAS NOTICED ON MY DAUGHTER LEFT CHEEK WHICH WAS CAUSED FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.

Mileage: 130,000

20181024FireAIR BAGS

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 ARRIVED AND INVESTIGATED. THE INSIDE OF THE CAR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DASH WAS COMPLETELY MELTED AND THE DASH WAS STILL ON FIRE INSIDE. THE PILLAR AIRBAG HAD EXPLODED AND MELTED AND HAD SPEWED PLASTIC ON THE FRONT SEATS. THE UPPER DRIVER SIDE CORNER AREA OF THE WINDSHEILD WAS BROKEN FROM THE INSIDE AS THOUGH SOMETHING HAD CATAPLULTED INTO IT FROM BELOW. THE PILLAR BAG INFLATOR WAS FOUND ON THE FLOOR OF THE CAR AND WAS BURNT IN THE BOTTOM. THE DRIVER DOOR PANEL HAD DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS

Mileage: 168,000

20181024FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 ARRIVED AND INVESTIGATED. THE INSIDE OF THE CAR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DASH WAS COMPLETELY MELTED AND THE DASH WAS STILL ON FIRE INSIDE. THE PILLAR AIRBAG HAD EXPLODED AND MELTED AND HAD SPEWED PLASTIC ON THE FRONT SEATS. THE UPPER DRIVER SIDE CORNER AREA OF THE WINDSHEILD WAS BROKEN FROM THE INSIDE AS THOUGH SOMETHING HAD CATAPLULTED INTO IT FROM BELOW. THE PILLAR BAG INFLATOR WAS FOUND ON THE FLOOR OF THE CAR AND WAS BURNT IN THE BOTTOM. THE DRIVER DOOR PANEL HAD DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS

Mileage: 168,000

20180719AIR BAGS

2002 325 I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAG SAFETY RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THEY WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF RECALL. *LD *JS *JS

20171206ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE BLOWER MOTOR EXPERIENCED A FAILURE FOR THE THIRD TIME AFTER BEING REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PETER PAN BMW (1625 ADRIAN RD, BURLINGAME, CA 94010 650) 204-7600) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE BLOWER MOTOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED INDEPENDENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

Mileage: 141,000

20171118AIR BAGS

RECALL

20171113AIR BAGS

TAKATA INFLATORS. I DELIVERED THE RECALL NOTICE TO COAST BMW, THE ORIGINAL SELLING DEALER OVER A YEAR AGO. I WAS TOLD I WOULD RECEIVE A CALL WHEN THEY WOULD RECEIVE PARTS FOR MY RECALL EXCHANGE. I NEVER WAS CONTACTED. DATE STATED BELOW IS AN APPROXIMATION.

20170912AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V172000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (BMW SEATTLE, 1002 AIRPORT WAY S, SEATTLE, WA 98134 (206) 829-5004) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20170818AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Compare 2002BMW325I to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 BMW 325I have?
The 2002 BMW 325I has 198 NHTSA complaints, 9 crashes, 24 fires, 7 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 BMW 325I?
Yes, the 2002 BMW 325I has 7 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 BMW 325I?
The most-complained component for the 2002 BMW 325I is AIR BAGS with 45 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2002 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.