Owners have filed 23 complaints
about the 1994 BMW 325I with NHTSA between 1995 and 2012.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 9 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 — 6
Against the median year of the BMW 325I. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 90
17.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
63% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
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 325I
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
417.4%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 59,000 mi
Engine & Cooling
417.4%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 28,000 mi
Fuel & Propulsion
313.0%
Median failure at 139,270 miles
Seat Belts
28.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 28,000 mi
Lights
28.7%
Median failure at 30,000 miles
Airbags
28.7%
Transmission & Drivetrain
28.7%
Child Seats
14.3%
Doors, Latches & Locks
14.3%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
14.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 28,000 mi
Body & Structure
14.3%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
562.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
225.0%
150,000+ miles
112.5%
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.
May 1995peak 4Apr 2012
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 28,000 milesFountain Hills, AZFire
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER READING WAS INCORRECT. THE MILEAGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD 28,000 MILES WHEN THE TITLE INDICATED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT ANOTHER MECHANIC HAD ALTERED THE ODOMETER. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING, THE FRONT WINDOWS FOGGED AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIR AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10324050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesFountain Hills, AZFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER READING WAS INCORRECT. THE MILEAGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD 28,000 MILES WHEN THE TITLE INDICATED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT ANOTHER MECHANIC HAD ALTERED THE ODOMETER. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING, THE FRONT WINDOWS FOGGED AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIR AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10324050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesFountain Hills, AZFire
VISIBILITY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER READING WAS INCORRECT. THE MILEAGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD 28,000 MILES WHEN THE TITLE INDICATED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT ANOTHER MECHANIC HAD ALTERED THE ODOMETER. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING, THE FRONT WINDOWS FOGGED AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIR AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10324050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesFountain Hills, AZFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER READING WAS INCORRECT. THE MILEAGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD 28,000 MILES WHEN THE TITLE INDICATED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT ANOTHER MECHANIC HAD ALTERED THE ODOMETER. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING, THE FRONT WINDOWS FOGGED AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIR AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10324050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 188,540 milesDurham, NC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE BRACE HOLDING ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS BROKE OFF. IT SEEMS IF BROKE OFF AT THE WELDS. THE STRAP WAS JUST HANGING AND ONLY THE OTHER WAS HOLDING THE FUEL TANK IN PLACE.
NHTSA complaint #10454463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesFountain Hills, AZFire
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER READING WAS INCORRECT. THE MILEAGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD 28,000 MILES WHEN THE TITLE INDICATED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT ANOTHER MECHANIC HAD ALTERED THE ODOMETER. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING, THE FRONT WINDOWS FOGGED AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIR AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10324050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesFountain Hills, AZFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER READING WAS INCORRECT. THE MILEAGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD 28,000 MILES WHEN THE TITLE INDICATED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT ANOTHER MECHANIC HAD ALTERED THE ODOMETER. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING, THE FRONT WINDOWS FOGGED AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIR AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10324050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesFountain Hills, AZFire
VISIBILITY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER READING WAS INCORRECT. THE MILEAGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD 28,000 MILES WHEN THE TITLE INDICATED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT ANOTHER MECHANIC HAD ALTERED THE ODOMETER. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING, THE FRONT WINDOWS FOGGED AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIR AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10324050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesFountain Hills, AZFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER READING WAS INCORRECT. THE MILEAGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD 28,000 MILES WHEN THE TITLE INDICATED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS 128,000. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT ANOTHER MECHANIC HAD ALTERED THE ODOMETER. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING, THE FRONT WINDOWS FOGGED AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIR AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10324050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lilburn, GA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS LOCKED IN THEIR 1994 BMW 325I AND THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDOWS AND HORN DID NOT WORK EITHER.
NHTSA complaint #10276688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lilburn, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS LOCKED IN THEIR 1994 BMW 325I AND THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDOWS AND HORN DID NOT WORK EITHER.
NHTSA complaint #10276688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesPhiladelphia, PA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
FUEL GAUGE INTERMITTENT FAILURE. BMW'S FROM 70'S TO '07 HAVE BEEN NOTED BY OWNERS AS BEING A PERSISTENT PROBLEM. MOST DUE TO FAILURE OF THE SENDING UNITS. MANY OWNERS END UP HAVING THE SENDERS REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES D/T MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE SENDING UNITS. MY E36 HAS 2 SENDING UNITS AND I HAVE BEEN STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD MULTIPLE TIMES. AND THE SAME FOR MANY OTHER OWNERS ON BMW ONLINE BOARDS/FORUMS. I'VE BEEN STUCK IN TRAFFIC WHERE I MERELY MISSED AN ACCIDENT BY MANEUVERING W/O ENGINE POWER. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. BMW HAS CONTINUED TO HAVE THESE PROBLEMS AND SHOULD RECALL THE FAILED UNITS THAT JUST KEEP FAILING.
NHTSA complaint #10218447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesPhiladelphia, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
FUEL GAUGE INTERMITTENT FAILURE. BMW'S FROM 70'S TO '07 HAVE BEEN NOTED BY OWNERS AS BEING A PERSISTENT PROBLEM. MOST DUE TO FAILURE OF THE SENDING UNITS. MANY OWNERS END UP HAVING THE SENDERS REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES D/T MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE SENDING UNITS. MY E36 HAS 2 SENDING UNITS AND I HAVE BEEN STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD MULTIPLE TIMES. AND THE SAME FOR MANY OTHER OWNERS ON BMW ONLINE BOARDS/FORUMS. I'VE BEEN STUCK IN TRAFFIC WHERE I MERELY MISSED AN ACCIDENT BY MANEUVERING W/O ENGINE POWER. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. BMW HAS CONTINUED TO HAVE THESE PROBLEMS AND SHOULD RECALL THE FAILED UNITS THAT JUST KEEP FAILING.
NHTSA complaint #10218447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peachtree City, GA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION JUMPED OUT OF 1ST GEAR WITH ENGINE LOAD. *BF THE CONSUMER REQUESTED ASSISTANCE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10103922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesRoslyn, NY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE, HOWEVER THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NM THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULBS BURNED OUT. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10080258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunnyvale, CA
CHILD SEAT
CHILD SEAT WOULD NOT LATCH ONTO LEFT SIDE OF BASE. *MR PH
NHTSA complaint #10024054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Oswego, OR
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO OPEN LEFT REAR DOOR FROM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8012570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Oswego, OR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO OPEN LEFT REAR DOOR FROM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8012570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
VEHICLE WILL STALL IN RAIN. DEALER DETERMINED THAT COMPUTER MODULE GOT WET AND VEHICLE WILL EITHER STALL OR NOT START. COMPUTER MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #8006006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
FUEL LINE LEAKS REALLY BAD CAN CAUSE FIRE HAZARD IN THE ENGINE IS HOT BUT THE BMW DEALER JUST SAID THAT THE RUBBER HOSE CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME.
NHTSA complaint #749183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LA Canada, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE RADIATOR CAP FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 98V-178, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS IS DUE TO IMPROPER RADIATOR DESIGN. NLM
NHTSA complaint #561568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boca Raton, FL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
LEFT REAR SEAT BELT NEVER WORKED, UNIT WAS NOT REPAIRABLE AND WAS REPLACED, BMW REFUSED TO HELP WITH EXPENSE. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #558093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springdale, AR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
THE PROBLEM DEALS SPECIFICALLY WITH THE LOCATION OF THE SUPPLY HOSE (PART OF THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM) FROM THE RESERVOIR TANK TO THE RADIATOR. THE FIRST TIME THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED WAS ON THE DATE OF THIS REPORT. IT WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ABOUT A YEAR AGO. THE SUPPLY HOSE IS LOCATED RIGHT UNDER THE FAN SHROUD. IT IS HELD UP BY 2 CLAMPS THAT ARE MOLDED ONTO THE FAN SHROUD. THIS WHOLE ASSEMBLY (SHROUD AND CLAMPS) APPEAR TO ME TO BE A PLASTIC MATERIAL. WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS THAT THE SUPPLY HOSE HAS COME LOSE FROM THE CLAMPS THAT ARE MOLDED ONTO THE SHROUD ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME IT SHEARED OFF 2 FAN BLADES AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY BY THE DEALER. THE SECOND TIME IT CAME LOOSE IT THE HOSE SHEARED OFF ALL OF THE FAN BLADES THUS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT TO THE POITN THE ENGINE WAS RUINED. THE PISTON COMPLETELY TURNED OVER IN THE CYLINDER CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LOCK UP. APPARENTLY WHAT HAPPENS IS OVER TIME THESE CLAMPS MOLED ONTO THE SHROUD BECOME HOT AND BRITTLE THUS MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR THEM TO EVENTUALLY BREAK OFF. DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE SUPPLY HOSE ONCE IT COMES LOOSE FROM THESE CLAMPS IT FALLS DIRECTLY INTO THE FAN BLADES. THE LOOSE HOSE CANNOT AVOID THE FAN. I HAVE LOOKED AT MANY OTHER MAKES OF AUTOMOBILES SINCE THIS HAPPENED THE LAST TIME. IN ALL OF THE OTHER AUTOMOBILES THAT I HAVE LOOKED AT THE SUPPLY HOSE IS ENGINEERED IN SUCH A MANNER THAT IF IT DID COME LOOSE FROM THE CLAMPS IT CANNOT BECOME ENTANGLED WITH THE FAN BLADES. IT COULDN'T EVEN COME CLOSE! BASED UPON THIS KNOWLEDGE I BELIEVE THAT BMW HAS ERRED IN THE DESIGN OF THE COOLING SYSTEM, AT LEAST ON THE 3 SERIES. IT IS STILL DESIGNED THAT WAY TODAY. I HAVE TALKED TO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA ABOUT THIS SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL! I WOULD APPRECIATE (IF YOU HAVE TIME) A PHONE CALL SO THAT I COULD EXPLAIN THIS PROBLEM BETTER! THANK YOU! SINCERELY, DANNY L. SMITH.
NHTSA complaint #719024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OAK Brook, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
RECALL COMPONENT FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL (98V-178), CONSUMER IS HAVING TROUBLE GETTING REIMBURSEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #547604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG GASKET DISINTEGRATED IN THE STEERING COLUMN CAUSING THE WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. MJS
NHTSA complaint #546003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Appleton, WI
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. DEALER STATES IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING AND STOPPING IT WOULD NOT MOVE UNTIL 4000 RPM'S, AND VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE.
NHTSA complaint #828027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEEP COME ON CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER ABOUT SEVEN TIME DEALER CAN'T FIND PROBLEM . TT
NHTSA complaint #965408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.