Owners have filed 30 complaints
about the 1994 BMW 325 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2011.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 7 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 64
Against the median year of the BMW 325. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
30% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1994 BMW 325
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
516.7%
4 crashes, 0 fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control
413.3%
2 crashes, 0 fires
Engine & Cooling
413.3%
Median failure at 80,000 miles
Body & Structure
310.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain
310.0%
Median failure at 120,000 miles
Seats
26.7%
Brakes
26.7%
Seat Belts
13.3%
Tires
13.3%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
13.3%
Lights
13.3%
Suspension
13.3%
Steering
13.3%
Electrical System
13.3%
When owners complained
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.
Jan 1995peak 5Jun 2011
Recalls on the 1994 BMW 325
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.
United States — NHTSA
94V151000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
IN A FMVSS NO. 208 30 MILES-PER-HOUR COMPLIANCE TEST, AN UNBELTED TEST DRIVER DUMMY'S CHEST MAXIMUM RESULTANT ACCELERATION WAS 70.8 G'S, WHICH EXCEEDS THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE VALUE OF 60 G'S. ALSO, THE UNBELTED PASSENGER DUMMY'S LEFT FEMUR MAXIMUM LOAD WAS 2361 LBS, WHICH EXCEEDS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE VALUE OF 2250 LBS. THE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE OCCUPANT WILL BE SUBJECTED TO AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Glendale, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
ACCELERATOR LOCKED UP WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER GARAGE, CAUSING A CRASH INTO THE HOUSE.
NHTSA complaint #523306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, CACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE TOOK OFF BY ITSELF AND THE AIRBAG'S DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT.VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. OWNER STATES THAT THERE IS A SAFETY NOTICE CAMPAIGN.
NHTSA complaint #816542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
VEHICLE TOOK OFF BY ITSELF AND THE AIRBAG'S DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT.VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. OWNER STATES THAT THERE IS A SAFETY NOTICE CAMPAIGN.
NHTSA complaint #816542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Success, NYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
HAD A FRONTAL COLLISION, DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, TOTALLED VEHICLE. TT
NHTSA complaint #967990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Success, NYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
HAD A FRONTAL COLLISION, PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, TOTALLED VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #967990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MID Lothian, VACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AT 35MPH 12:00 POSITION DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT
NHTSA complaint #960453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 120,000 milesMenlo Park, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAR LOST POWER DUE TO PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION. CAR HAS 120,000 MILES AND NEW TRANSMISSION WAS ALSO REQUIRED AT 55,000 IN 2000. BMW 3 SERIES TRANSMISSIONS SEEM TO BE DEFECTIVE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF TRANSMISSIONS SUDDENLY FAILING IN 3 SERIES.
NHTSA complaint #10405370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesValley Park, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE FAILED AT 80,000 MILES. *NM THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT HIS ENGINE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT HOLD OIL . *TC THE ENGINE HAD BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT A NEW WATER PUMP WAS NEEDED. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10101132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Schuylkill Haven, PA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TIRE AT APPROXIMATELY 60 % TREAD REMAINING ON TIRE, THE TREAD PEALED OFF THE CASING AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO UNDER FENDER AND TO RIM OF CAR WHEN TIRE BLEW AND RAN ON RIM OFF ROAD-NO PERSONAL INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #764949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Macon, GA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPAIRED ONCE UNDER RECALL. CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A LIGHT COMING ON THAT SAID CHECK BRAKE LIGHT CIRCUIT. CONSUMER STATED THIS LIGHT CONSTANTLY CAME ON. *AK CONSUMER FEELS THE BRAKE SWITCH IS ALSO FAULTY, HOWEVER DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE IT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #891596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntsville, AL
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT FAILED. AIRBAG WON'T DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #889913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
SEATS
ALL FOUR DOORS AND DRIVER SEAT RATTLE CONSTANTLY. AFTER NUMEROUS VISITS TO THE DEALER, THE BMW AREA REP FINALLY ORDERED THAT TAPE BE PLACED AROUND THE DOORS. THIS TOOK 4 YEARS TO ACHIEVE AND CURED THE DOOR RATTLES FOR ONE DAY, UPON WHICH THEY RETURNED. BY THE TIME THE AREA REP RETURNED, THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAD TO MOVE AWAY FOR A JOB CHANGE. THE NEXT STEP WOULD HAVE BEEN TO REPLACE RUBBER DOOR SEALS. THE DEALER ALSO DAMAGED THE DRIVER SEAT, CAUSING IT TO RATTLE AND SQUEAK, THE FIRST VISIT TO REPAIR THE DOOR PROBLEM. NEITHER THE DOOR OR SEAT RATTLES HAVE BEEN FIXED TO THIS DAY.
NHTSA complaint #735419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
ALL FOUR DOORS AND DRIVER SEAT RATTLE CONSTANTLY. AFTER NUMEROUS VISITS TO THE DEALER, THE BMW AREA REP FINALLY ORDERED THAT TAPE BE PLACED AROUND THE DOORS. THIS TOOK 4 YEARS TO ACHIEVE AND CURED THE DOOR RATTLES FOR ONE DAY, UPON WHICH THEY RETURNED. BY THE TIME THE AREA REP RETURNED, THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAD TO MOVE AWAY FOR A JOB CHANGE. THE NEXT STEP WOULD HAVE BEEN TO REPLACE RUBBER DOOR SEALS. THE DEALER ALSO DAMAGED THE DRIVER SEAT, CAUSING IT TO RATTLE AND SQUEAK, THE FIRST VISIT TO REPAIR THE DOOR PROBLEM. NEITHER THE DOOR OR SEAT RATTLES HAVE BEEN FIXED TO THIS DAY.
NHTSA complaint #735419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ON CERTAIN STRETCHES OF CALIFORNIA FREEWAYS HAVING A LONG DOWNGRADE WITH CAR TRAVELLING AT 55 MPH, BRAKES FADE, EMIT A SMELL, AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO SLOW OR STOP CAR UNLESS 2 FEET ARE USED ON THE PEDAL. THIS HAPPENED TWICE AT TWO LOCATIONS (I5 GRAPEVINE @ BAKERSFIELD HEADING NORTH, AND I580 NEAR LIVERMORE HEADING EAST).
NHTSA complaint #735420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
UNABLE TO UNLOCK STEERING WHEEL AND GEAR SHIFT LEVER WITH KEY UNLESS STEERING WHEEL IS VIOLENTLY PULLED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES SINCE CAR WAS NEW BUT DID NOT/COULD NOT CORRECT IT.
NHTSA complaint #735418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
UNABLE TO UNLOCK STEERING WHEEL AND GEAR SHIFT LEVER WITH KEY UNLESS STEERING WHEEL IS VIOLENTLY PULLED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES SINCE CAR WAS NEW BUT DID NOT/COULD NOT CORRECT IT.
NHTSA complaint #735418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #713133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntington Beach, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
RECALL #98V-178.000/BMW/COOLANT SYSTEM: RADIATOR CAP MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THREE HOSES TO BLOW. ALSO, HEATER CONTROL VALVE FAILED AND CAUSED STEAM TO ENTER INTO VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. APPROXIMATELY A WEEK OR LESS LATER , A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED. NOTIFIED MANUFACTURER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT COOLANT SYSTEM, RADIATOR CAP MALFUCTIONING WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF VEHICLE PROBLEM. SEEKING HELP IN THIS MATTER FROM NHTSA.
NHTSA complaint #844587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coraopolis, PA
SEATS
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BROKE FROM THE BASE. NO CLIPS.
NHTSA complaint #708761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodbridge, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
THE SPEEDOMETER OF THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE END, PASSING THE MAXIMUM NUMBER, 160 MPH, BUT THE CAR WAS GOING AT ONLY 40 MPH. WHILE THIS HAPPENED, THE ODOMETER OF THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING LIKE IT WAS GOING AT 160+MPH, THAT IS IN ONLY ONE MILE, THE ODOMETER READ LIKE IT HAD TRAVELLED 4-5 MILES. WHILE THIS WAS HAPENNING, THE CAR COULD NOT GO MORE THAN ABOUT 55-60 MPH. AS SOON AS THE RPM TOUCHED 3000, THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF, AND WHEN IT GOT BELOW 3000RPM, IT WOULD GO BACK ON AGAIN. I STOPPED THE CAR, AND STARTED AGAIN, AND THE PROBLEM WAS GONE. A FEW DAYS LATER, I WAS GOING DOWNHILL AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE CAR WAS GOING AT 50 MPH AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, AND DID NOT GO BACK ON AGAIN. WHILE THE CAR WAS GOING DOWNHILL AND SPEEDING UP, I WAS ABLE TO START IT AGAIN. THIS PROBLEM DID NOT HAPPEN OCCASIONALLY. I EXPLAINED THAT TO OPEN ROAD BMW AT 731 US HWY 1 SOUTH, EDISON NJ, 08817, TEL 732-985-8450, BUT THEY SAID BECUSE I COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM RIGHT THERE, THERE WAS NO WAY THEY COULD KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE PROBLEM BECAME WORSE MORE THAN A YEAR OR SO LATER, BUT STILL I COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM IN FRONT OF THE DEALER. FINALLY, I TOOK A VIDEOTAPE OF THE PROBLEM, AND PRESENTED IT TO THE DEALER. THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR ME, BUT THEY SAID MY CAR WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE. I KEPT EXPLAINING TO THEM THAT THE ACTUAL MILEAGE OF THE CAR WAS MUCH LESS THAN WHAT IT SHOWED, BUT THEY WOULD NOT CHANGE THEIR MINDS. THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.
NHTSA complaint #707985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #534005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
ACCELERATOR LOCKED UP WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER GARAGE, CAUSING A CRASH INTO THE HOUSE.
NHTSA complaint #523306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, CACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE TOOK OFF BY ITSELF AND THE AIRBAG'S DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT.VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. OWNER STATES THAT THERE IS A SAFETY NOTICE CAMPAIGN.
NHTSA complaint #816542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
VEHICLE TOOK OFF BY ITSELF AND THE AIRBAG'S DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT.VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. OWNER STATES THAT THERE IS A SAFETY NOTICE CAMPAIGN.
NHTSA complaint #816542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
SUDDEN ACCELERATION AT 30 TO 40 MPH WHEN STEERING AND BRAKES WENT BAD. DEALER CAN'T FIND PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #814726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philips Ranch, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED ENGINE SURGING, AS THOUGH IN NEUTRAL GEAR, ALSO EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION HESITATION WHILE ACCELERATING. *AK
NHTSA complaint #805914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philips Ranch, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED ENGINE SURGING, AS THOUGH IN NEUTRAL GEAR, ALSO EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION HESITATION WHILE ACCELERATING. *AK
NHTSA complaint #805914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Trabuco Canyon, CA
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE, CAUSING TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #507613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.