Total Complaints
27 filings
BMW 325IS · model year
27 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1993BMW325IS carries 27 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, 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 1993 325IS is engine and engine cooling:cooling system with 5 filings, followed by structure:frame and members:underbody shields (2) and seat belts:front:buckle assembly (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 1993 325IS. 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.
Total Complaints
27 filings
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 5 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CENTER SUPPORT BEARING | 1 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS | 1 |
I OWN A 1993 325IS WHICH HAS A TEAR IN THE SUBFRAME WHERE THE SUSPENSION COMPONENT MEET. CAR WAS NOT MODIFIED IN ANYWAY. I JUST NOTICED THIS LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL OR REAR AREA. TOOK THE CAR INTO MY MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS TORN APART. LUCKY IT DIDN'T COME OUT IN THE HIGHWAY OR I WOULD I HAVE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND PROBABLY GET KILLED. MY MECHANIC HAS STATED HE SEEN MANY BMW'S WITH THIS KIND OF PROBLEMS. I HAVE SEARCH AND CONTACTED OTHER BMW'S AND IT LOOK LIKE ITS A COMMON FAILURE IN EARLY BMW'S BETWEEN 1992-1995'S E36. NEWER MODEL SEEMS TO HAVE THE SUBFRAME REINFORCE WITH THICKER BRACKETS AND NEW SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. TOTAL COST FOR THE REPAIR $3600 LABOR AND PARTS. *JB
I HAVE A 1993 325IS BMW. AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS. ON RAINY DAYS I CAN HEAR WATER IN THE FLOOR BOARDS. THE DOOR PANELS ARE BOTH COMING UNGLUDED AND BUBBLING. MY DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT HITS THE GAS PETAL. THE CHECK COOLANT LIGHT ON MY COMPUTER IS ALWAYS ON, THE THE COOLANT IS LOW EVEN AFTER I FILL IT. I AM AFAID MY CAR WILL OVERHEAT.*AK
I HAVE A 1993 325IS BMW. AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS. ON RAINY DAYS I CAN HEAR WATER IN THE FLOOR BOARDS. THE DOOR PANELS ARE BOTH COMING UNGLUDED AND BUBBLING. MY DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT HITS THE GAS PETAL. THE CHECK COOLANT LIGHT ON MY COMPUTER IS ALWAYS ON, THE THE COOLANT IS LOW EVEN AFTER I FILL IT. I AM AFAID MY CAR WILL OVERHEAT.*AK
I HAVE A 1993 325IS BMW. AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS. ON RAINY DAYS I CAN HEAR WATER IN THE FLOOR BOARDS. THE DOOR PANELS ARE BOTH COMING UNGLUDED AND BUBBLING. MY DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT HITS THE GAS PETAL. THE CHECK COOLANT LIGHT ON MY COMPUTER IS ALWAYS ON, THE THE COOLANT IS LOW EVEN AFTER I FILL IT. I AM AFAID MY CAR WILL OVERHEAT.*AK
I HAVE A 1993 325IS BMW. AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS. ON RAINY DAYS I CAN HEAR WATER IN THE FLOOR BOARDS. THE DOOR PANELS ARE BOTH COMING UNGLUDED AND BUBBLING. MY DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT HITS THE GAS PETAL. THE CHECK COOLANT LIGHT ON MY COMPUTER IS ALWAYS ON, THE THE COOLANT IS LOW EVEN AFTER I FILL IT. I AM AFAID MY CAR WILL OVERHEAT.*AK
I HAVE A 1993 325IS BMW. AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS. ON RAINY DAYS I CAN HEAR WATER IN THE FLOOR BOARDS. THE DOOR PANELS ARE BOTH COMING UNGLUDED AND BUBBLING. MY DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT HITS THE GAS PETAL. THE CHECK COOLANT LIGHT ON MY COMPUTER IS ALWAYS ON, THE THE COOLANT IS LOW EVEN AFTER I FILL IT. I AM AFAID MY CAR WILL OVERHEAT.*AK
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONSUMER NOTICED A LIQUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND FUEL PUMP NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
THE REAR SUBFRAME MOUNT POINTS HAVE RIPPED IN AT LEAST ONE PLACE FROM THE UNIBODY RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THE CAR. I CAUGHT IT EARLY SO NO INJURY HAS RESULTED. THIS IS A COMMON (UNACCEPTABLE) PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS (BMW E36). *JB
Mileage: 142,450
MY 1993 BMW 325IS HAS A FAILURE OF THE CHASSIS MOUNTING POINTS FOR THE REAR SUBFRAME OF THE CAR. THE CAR HAD BEEN FEELING FUNNY FOR WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS UNTIL ONE DAY THE CAR STARTED TO SHUDDER WHEN TAKING A TURN AND ACCELERATING OUT OF IT. FROM THAT DAY ON THE CAR FELT COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM MY STEERING INPUTS, IT WAS OBVIOUS SOMETHING WAS WRONG. HAD I NOT CAUGHT IT WHEN I DID, MORE THAN JUST FINANCIAL DAMAGE WOULD HAVE SURELY OCCURED; AFTER ALL, THESE ARE WHAT HOLD THE WHOLE REAR OF THE SUSPENSION AND DRIVE TRAIN THE THE CHASSIS. AFTER SHELLING OUT OVER $1500 FOR REPAIRS TO MY CAR WHICH INCLUDED REPLACEMENT OF A CHASSIS MEMBER, NEW BUSHINGS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND OTHER SMALL MISC ITEMS. I DID SOME RESEARCH TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS ALL TO COMMON. IF THE REAR RUBBER SUBFRAME MOUNTS BECOME WEAK IT PUTS EXCESSIVE STRESS ON THE UNITBODY. ONCE THIS HAPPENS THE CHASSIS WILL EVENTUALLY TEAR, LEAVING THE SUBFRAME COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE CAR. THE LATER MODEL BMW
Mileage: 139,829
PUCHASED WITH EMAIL AND VERBAL GUARANTEE NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR. HAVE VALID CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AGAINST SAME DEALER WITH MISREPRESENTATION OF VEH.(S) PURCHASED. 1: TCM LIGHT ON. VEH. WILL NOT SHIFT. OCCURRED 2ND DAY OF OWNERSHIP. DEALER DENIES. 2: LIGHTS WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL UPON ARRIVAL TO DEALER. HAD "DETAILER" REWIRE (4 HOURS). BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT STILL ON COMPUTER. 3: DEALER ORDERED AND PROMISED PASS. WINDOW MOTOR. REPLACED 2 RELAYS WHILE AT DEALER. DID NOT REPAIR. REFUSES TO SEND MOTOR FOR FUNCTIONAL WINDOW. WINDOW WILL NOT, AND DID NOT ROLL DOWN EVEN AT DEALERS. 4: VERIFIED WITH DEALER GUIBO JOINT (PROPELLAR SHAFT FRONT FLEX DISC) AT FRONT OF DRIVESHAFT SEVERELY DAMAGED CAUSING STEERING PROBLEMS. DEALER INSISTED NOTHING WRONG IN EMAIL AND PHONE. HAVE 2 WITNESSED THAT CONTACTED HIM IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER. COST: 330. DEALER FINALLY SENDS FUNDS FOR REPAIR. REFUSES IN LIEU OF THIS TO SEND POWER WINDOW MOTOR. 5: VEH. OVERHEATS IN SHORT STOPS 6: DEALER REFUSES TO MAKE REPAIRS HE
Mileage: 92,800
PUCHASED WITH EMAIL AND VERBAL GUARANTEE NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR. HAVE VALID CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AGAINST SAME DEALER WITH MISREPRESENTATION OF VEH.(S) PURCHASED. 1: TCM LIGHT ON. VEH. WILL NOT SHIFT. OCCURRED 2ND DAY OF OWNERSHIP. DEALER DENIES. 2: LIGHTS WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL UPON ARRIVAL TO DEALER. HAD "DETAILER" REWIRE (4 HOURS). BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT STILL ON COMPUTER. 3: DEALER ORDERED AND PROMISED PASS. WINDOW MOTOR. REPLACED 2 RELAYS WHILE AT DEALER. DID NOT REPAIR. REFUSES TO SEND MOTOR FOR FUNCTIONAL WINDOW. WINDOW WILL NOT, AND DID NOT ROLL DOWN EVEN AT DEALERS. 4: VERIFIED WITH DEALER GUIBO JOINT (PROPELLAR SHAFT FRONT FLEX DISC) AT FRONT OF DRIVESHAFT SEVERELY DAMAGED CAUSING STEERING PROBLEMS. DEALER INSISTED NOTHING WRONG IN EMAIL AND PHONE. HAVE 2 WITNESSED THAT CONTACTED HIM IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER. COST: 330. DEALER FINALLY SENDS FUNDS FOR REPAIR. REFUSES IN LIEU OF THIS TO SEND POWER WINDOW MOTOR. 5: VEH. OVERHEATS IN SHORT STOPS 6: DEALER REFUSES TO MAKE REPAIRS HE
Mileage: 92,800
PUCHASED WITH EMAIL AND VERBAL GUARANTEE NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR. HAVE VALID CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AGAINST SAME DEALER WITH MISREPRESENTATION OF VEH.(S) PURCHASED. 1: TCM LIGHT ON. VEH. WILL NOT SHIFT. OCCURRED 2ND DAY OF OWNERSHIP. DEALER DENIES. 2: LIGHTS WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL UPON ARRIVAL TO DEALER. HAD "DETAILER" REWIRE (4 HOURS). BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT STILL ON COMPUTER. 3: DEALER ORDERED AND PROMISED PASS. WINDOW MOTOR. REPLACED 2 RELAYS WHILE AT DEALER. DID NOT REPAIR. REFUSES TO SEND MOTOR FOR FUNCTIONAL WINDOW. WINDOW WILL NOT, AND DID NOT ROLL DOWN EVEN AT DEALERS. 4: VERIFIED WITH DEALER GUIBO JOINT (PROPELLAR SHAFT FRONT FLEX DISC) AT FRONT OF DRIVESHAFT SEVERELY DAMAGED CAUSING STEERING PROBLEMS. DEALER INSISTED NOTHING WRONG IN EMAIL AND PHONE. HAVE 2 WITNESSED THAT CONTACTED HIM IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER. COST: 330. DEALER FINALLY SENDS FUNDS FOR REPAIR. REFUSES IN LIEU OF THIS TO SEND POWER WINDOW MOTOR. 5: VEH. OVERHEATS IN SHORT STOPS 6: DEALER REFUSES TO MAKE REPAIRS HE
Mileage: 92,800
PUCHASED WITH EMAIL AND VERBAL GUARANTEE NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR. HAVE VALID CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AGAINST SAME DEALER WITH MISREPRESENTATION OF VEH.(S) PURCHASED. 1: TCM LIGHT ON. VEH. WILL NOT SHIFT. OCCURRED 2ND DAY OF OWNERSHIP. DEALER DENIES. 2: LIGHTS WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL UPON ARRIVAL TO DEALER. HAD "DETAILER" REWIRE (4 HOURS). BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT STILL ON COMPUTER. 3: DEALER ORDERED AND PROMISED PASS. WINDOW MOTOR. REPLACED 2 RELAYS WHILE AT DEALER. DID NOT REPAIR. REFUSES TO SEND MOTOR FOR FUNCTIONAL WINDOW. WINDOW WILL NOT, AND DID NOT ROLL DOWN EVEN AT DEALERS. 4: VERIFIED WITH DEALER GUIBO JOINT (PROPELLAR SHAFT FRONT FLEX DISC) AT FRONT OF DRIVESHAFT SEVERELY DAMAGED CAUSING STEERING PROBLEMS. DEALER INSISTED NOTHING WRONG IN EMAIL AND PHONE. HAVE 2 WITNESSED THAT CONTACTED HIM IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER. COST: 330. DEALER FINALLY SENDS FUNDS FOR REPAIR. REFUSES IN LIEU OF THIS TO SEND POWER WINDOW MOTOR. 5: VEH. OVERHEATS IN SHORT STOPS 6: DEALER REFUSES TO MAKE REPAIRS HE
Mileage: 92,800
PUCHASED WITH EMAIL AND VERBAL GUARANTEE NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR. HAVE VALID CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AGAINST SAME DEALER WITH MISREPRESENTATION OF VEH.(S) PURCHASED. 1: TCM LIGHT ON. VEH. WILL NOT SHIFT. OCCURRED 2ND DAY OF OWNERSHIP. DEALER DENIES. 2: LIGHTS WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL UPON ARRIVAL TO DEALER. HAD "DETAILER" REWIRE (4 HOURS). BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT STILL ON COMPUTER. 3: DEALER ORDERED AND PROMISED PASS. WINDOW MOTOR. REPLACED 2 RELAYS WHILE AT DEALER. DID NOT REPAIR. REFUSES TO SEND MOTOR FOR FUNCTIONAL WINDOW. WINDOW WILL NOT, AND DID NOT ROLL DOWN EVEN AT DEALERS. 4: VERIFIED WITH DEALER GUIBO JOINT (PROPELLAR SHAFT FRONT FLEX DISC) AT FRONT OF DRIVESHAFT SEVERELY DAMAGED CAUSING STEERING PROBLEMS. DEALER INSISTED NOTHING WRONG IN EMAIL AND PHONE. HAVE 2 WITNESSED THAT CONTACTED HIM IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER. COST: 330. DEALER FINALLY SENDS FUNDS FOR REPAIR. REFUSES IN LIEU OF THIS TO SEND POWER WINDOW MOTOR. 5: VEH. OVERHEATS IN SHORT STOPS 6: DEALER REFUSES TO MAKE REPAIRS HE
Mileage: 92,800
PUCHASED WITH EMAIL AND VERBAL GUARANTEE NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR. HAVE VALID CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AGAINST SAME DEALER WITH MISREPRESENTATION OF VEH.(S) PURCHASED. 1: TCM LIGHT ON. VEH. WILL NOT SHIFT. OCCURRED 2ND DAY OF OWNERSHIP. DEALER DENIES. 2: LIGHTS WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL UPON ARRIVAL TO DEALER. HAD "DETAILER" REWIRE (4 HOURS). BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT STILL ON COMPUTER. 3: DEALER ORDERED AND PROMISED PASS. WINDOW MOTOR. REPLACED 2 RELAYS WHILE AT DEALER. DID NOT REPAIR. REFUSES TO SEND MOTOR FOR FUNCTIONAL WINDOW. WINDOW WILL NOT, AND DID NOT ROLL DOWN EVEN AT DEALERS. 4: VERIFIED WITH DEALER GUIBO JOINT (PROPELLAR SHAFT FRONT FLEX DISC) AT FRONT OF DRIVESHAFT SEVERELY DAMAGED CAUSING STEERING PROBLEMS. DEALER INSISTED NOTHING WRONG IN EMAIL AND PHONE. HAVE 2 WITNESSED THAT CONTACTED HIM IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER. COST: 330. DEALER FINALLY SENDS FUNDS FOR REPAIR. REFUSES IN LIEU OF THIS TO SEND POWER WINDOW MOTOR. 5: VEH. OVERHEATS IN SHORT STOPS 6: DEALER REFUSES TO MAKE REPAIRS HE
Mileage: 92,800
PUCHASED WITH EMAIL AND VERBAL GUARANTEE NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR. HAVE VALID CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AGAINST SAME DEALER WITH MISREPRESENTATION OF VEH.(S) PURCHASED. 1: TCM LIGHT ON. VEH. WILL NOT SHIFT. OCCURRED 2ND DAY OF OWNERSHIP. DEALER DENIES. 2: LIGHTS WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL UPON ARRIVAL TO DEALER. HAD "DETAILER" REWIRE (4 HOURS). BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT STILL ON COMPUTER. 3: DEALER ORDERED AND PROMISED PASS. WINDOW MOTOR. REPLACED 2 RELAYS WHILE AT DEALER. DID NOT REPAIR. REFUSES TO SEND MOTOR FOR FUNCTIONAL WINDOW. WINDOW WILL NOT, AND DID NOT ROLL DOWN EVEN AT DEALERS. 4: VERIFIED WITH DEALER GUIBO JOINT (PROPELLAR SHAFT FRONT FLEX DISC) AT FRONT OF DRIVESHAFT SEVERELY DAMAGED CAUSING STEERING PROBLEMS. DEALER INSISTED NOTHING WRONG IN EMAIL AND PHONE. HAVE 2 WITNESSED THAT CONTACTED HIM IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER. COST: 330. DEALER FINALLY SENDS FUNDS FOR REPAIR. REFUSES IN LIEU OF THIS TO SEND POWER WINDOW MOTOR. 5: VEH. OVERHEATS IN SHORT STOPS 6: DEALER REFUSES TO MAKE REPAIRS HE
Mileage: 92,800
PUCHASED WITH EMAIL AND VERBAL GUARANTEE NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR. HAVE VALID CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AGAINST SAME DEALER WITH MISREPRESENTATION OF VEH.(S) PURCHASED. 1: TCM LIGHT ON. VEH. WILL NOT SHIFT. OCCURRED 2ND DAY OF OWNERSHIP. DEALER DENIES. 2: LIGHTS WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL UPON ARRIVAL TO DEALER. HAD "DETAILER" REWIRE (4 HOURS). BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT STILL ON COMPUTER. 3: DEALER ORDERED AND PROMISED PASS. WINDOW MOTOR. REPLACED 2 RELAYS WHILE AT DEALER. DID NOT REPAIR. REFUSES TO SEND MOTOR FOR FUNCTIONAL WINDOW. WINDOW WILL NOT, AND DID NOT ROLL DOWN EVEN AT DEALERS. 4: VERIFIED WITH DEALER GUIBO JOINT (PROPELLAR SHAFT FRONT FLEX DISC) AT FRONT OF DRIVESHAFT SEVERELY DAMAGED CAUSING STEERING PROBLEMS. DEALER INSISTED NOTHING WRONG IN EMAIL AND PHONE. HAVE 2 WITNESSED THAT CONTACTED HIM IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER. COST: 330. DEALER FINALLY SENDS FUNDS FOR REPAIR. REFUSES IN LIEU OF THIS TO SEND POWER WINDOW MOTOR. 5: VEH. OVERHEATS IN SHORT STOPS 6: DEALER REFUSES TO MAKE REPAIRS HE
Mileage: 92,800
AIRBAG FAILURE IN BMW 1993 325IS 40 MPH HEAD ON COLLISION. *NLM
Mileage: 80,000
REAR SUB FRAME TORN AT 2 RIGHT POINTS, AND CRACKED AROUND THE LEFT FORWARD MOST MOUNT POINT. VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN ABUSED, DRIVEN OFF-ROAD, OR ON A RACE TRACK. ALL ORIGINAL WHELL, SUSPENSION AND DRIVELINE COMPONENTS WERE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. *AK
VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND WHEN THE CONSUMER RAISED THE HOOD TO CHECK THE RADIATOR THE TOP FLANGE OF THE COMPOSITE RADIATOR BROKE OFF UNDER THE PRESSURE OF THE OVERHEATING SYSTEM AND SPRAYED THE CONSUMER WITH SCALDING COOLANT CAUSING SEVERE BURN INJURIES (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER), THE DEFECT WAS POSSIBLY RELATED TO RECALL CAMPAIGN #93V-015 AND 98V-178. *MJS
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.