FaultScore report
Owners have filed 25 complaints about the 1992 BMW 325 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2008. The largest single group is the airbags.
25
Complaints
4
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
2 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 198,880 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
AIR BAG WIRING FAILURE
HEATER CORE FAILURE
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FEED FUEL HOSES CAN HARDEN AND "SET" OVER TIME, ALLOWING A SEEPAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING. THE CLAMP USED TO HOLD THE HOSE TO THE FITTING IS UNABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE HARDENING OF THE FEED FUEL HOSE.
Risk: FUEL SEEPAGE BETWEEN THE FEED FUEL HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING CAN RESULT IN FREE FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
THE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND A RESULTING INCREASE IN SYSTEM PRESSURE.
Risk: VEHICLES OPERATED UNDER THIS INCREASED COOLING SYSTEMPRESSURE CONDITION CAN SUFFER DAMAGE OR FAILURE OF PARTS OF THE COOLING SYSTEMSUCH AS (1) LEAKAGE FROM A COOLANT HOSE, (2) LEAKAGE OF THE RADIATOR OREXPANSION TANK, (3) DISCONNECTION OF A HOSE FROM A PIPE OR A FITTING, AND (4)CRACKS IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAKAGE. IN SOME CASES,BOILING COOLANT CAN CONTACT THE LOWER RIGHT LEG OF THE DRIVER RESULTING INBURNS. ALSO, ESCAPING COOLANT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE VAPORFOGGING OF THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE WINDOWS, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY.
SEATS
THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 208. THE DRIVER'S CHEST RESULTANT ACCELERATION EXCEEDED THE ALLOWABLE 60 G'S IN A CRASH TEST WHEN THE SEAT HEIGHT CHANGES ADJUSTMENT UNDER SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT.
Risk: THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE FACES INCREASED RISK OF INJURYIN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WAS PULLING FROM STOP LIGHT, HAD APPLIED BRAKES SUDDENLY AND BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED & BROKE DRIVER'S ARM. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. PLASTIC HOUSING OF CRUISE CONTROL CABLE HAD BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #825760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
WAS STRUCK FROM REAR AT 20MPH, DRIVERS SIDE SEAT TRACK PULLED UP FROM FLOOR. TT
NHTSA complaint #966566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG DURING ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN INJURY. ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT. *SKD
NHTSA complaint #481896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DURING ACCIDENT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY ON DRIVERS SIDE. TT
NHTSA complaint #959251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 BMW 325. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BACKFIRE AND LOSE POWER. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO HESITATE AND SHAKE WHEN IT WAS INITIALLY STARTED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 206,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,880.
NHTSA complaint #10249961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WHEN SHIFTING GEARS FRONT WILL MAKE A CRACKLING NOISE. *AK CONSUMER STATES ENTIRE BACK END SUSPENSION (STRUTS LEFT AND RIGHT) HOLDING THE REAR WHEELS, TRANSMISSION DIFFERENTIALS TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE IS SEPARATING FROM THE FRAME, DEALER HAS BEEN INFORMED, HOWEVER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE LIABILITY OR INVESTIGATE POSSIBLE PRODUCT DESIGN DEFECT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #888809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
WHEN SHIFTING GEARS FRONT WILL MAKE A CRACKLING NOISE. *AK CONSUMER STATES ENTIRE BACK END SUSPENSION (STRUTS LEFT AND RIGHT) HOLDING THE REAR WHEELS, TRANSMISSION DIFFERENTIALS TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE IS SEPARATING FROM THE FRAME, DEALER HAS BEEN INFORMED, HOWEVER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE LIABILITY OR INVESTIGATE POSSIBLE PRODUCT DESIGN DEFECT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #888809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
HEATER CORE HAS RUPTURED, CAUSING WINDOWS TO FOG UP. THIS CONDITION MAKES IT HARD FOR THE DRIVER TO SEE.
NHTSA complaint #850613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
DEALER REPLACED THE AIR BAG LIGHT, AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS STILL ON.
NHTSA complaint #844558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WINDOWS FOG UP AND DO NOT COOL PROPERLY. DEALER NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM. REPAIRWORK NOT DONE. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #842913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL NUMBER 98V178000, CONSUMER NOTED THERE WAS NO DEALER WITHIN A 500 MILE RADIUS. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT SEND ANOTHER DEALER PARTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #842587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
GAS TANKS LEAKS IF THE VEHICLE IS FILLED OVER THE 1/2 FULL MARK, POSSIBLY DUE TO A SEAL FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #706972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WATER PUMP AND IGNITION SYSTEM FAILURES.
NHTSA complaint #540602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WAS PULLING FROM STOP LIGHT, HAD APPLIED BRAKES SUDDENLY AND BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED & BROKE DRIVER'S ARM. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. PLASTIC HOUSING OF CRUISE CONTROL CABLE HAD BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #825760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
RADIATOR HEATER CORE EXPLODED, FILLING VEHICLE WITH STEAM AND SMOKE, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #533876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHT LENS COVERS WERE ORIGINALLY 100 PERCENT TRANSPARENT. OVER THE YEARS, WITH NO ABUSE, THEY SEEM TO BECOMING INCREASINGLY YELLOWED. IT IS TO THE POINT THAT THEY DIMINISH THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE HEADLIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #526507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE REAR CROSSMEMBER TO SUBFRAME AND TO THE FLOOR PAN BROKE OFF, CAUSING THE SUBFRAME TO FALL DOWN WHILE DRIVING. COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM BUT CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #829342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASENGER'S SIDE FRONT SEATS ROCK ABOUT 2 INCHES PLAY WHEN ADDED FORCE.
NHTSA complaint #512139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY THE STEERING LOCKED UP DUE TO SOMETHING INSIDE THE AIR BAG MECHANISM BREAKING.
NHTSA complaint #802846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE STARTER NEED TO BE REPLACED, DEALER REPLACED TWO BUT NOT THIRD ONE. PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #800906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
CONSUMER WAS IN AND ACCIDENT AND THE STEERING GEAR NEED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #982788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
THE STEERING IS MAKING A LOUD NOISE WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL, CLUTCH SLIPPED IN AND OUT OF GEAR AND MAKES A GRAINDING NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #980705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STALLS ON A CONSISTENT BASIS, EVEN WHILE VEHICLE IS MOVING/UP TO 60 MPH. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #484231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORTS, CAUSING POWER DOOR LOCKS/WINDOWS/SUN ROOF/SEAT WARMERS TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #484231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS, BRAKE CALIPERS ON THE FRONT LOCKUP AT HWY SPEED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH,ALSO LOSS OF BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. TT
NHTSA complaint #976221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
NO GAS IS GETTING TO THE ENGINE. TT
NHTSA complaint #974780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
WAS STRUCK FROM REAR AT 20MPH, DRIVERS SIDE SEAT TRACK PULLED UP FROM FLOOR. TT
NHTSA complaint #966566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG DURING ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN INJURY. ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT. *SKD
NHTSA complaint #481896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DURING ACCIDENT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY ON DRIVERS SIDE. TT
NHTSA complaint #959251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.