33 of the
1,808 complaints filed about the BMW 325I
are about the throttle and cruise control —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2006.
33
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
14
Crashes
0
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
The vehicle accelerates to 5,000 RPM randomly, and unintentionally. This happens when shifting gears(manual transmission), or when in any gear. Braking barely slows the vehicle down. I've nearly crashed due to this issue, multiple times. The floormats are not in the way. This is a case of sudden unintended acceleration.
NHTSA complaint #11462233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE PROBLEMS I AM HAVING WITH MY CAR INCLUDE: HIGH RPMS WHEN ACCELERATING, MASSIVE GAS CONSUMPTION WHICH I CAN PROVIDE BANK STATEMENTS TO PROVE, MASSIVE COOLANT CONSUMPTION, NUMEROUS OIL LEAKS, ROUGH IDLING, ENGINE RATTLING, FOUL SMELL OF VAPORS IN THE CAR WHILE RUNNING, AND CONSTANT CAR SHAKING. MY CAR WILL CUT OFF COMPLETELY IF THE A/C IS TURNED ON OR IF SITTING AT A RED LIGHT, SO IN RETURN I WOULD HAVE TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK WHILE SITTING AT RED LIGHTS. ALL OF THIS IS DUE TO THE PCV VALVE. THIS RECALL WAS NOT MADE AWARE TO ME IF THOUGH I TOOK MY CAR TO GET SERVICED AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP AFTER THE RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED. THIS IS WHY I ASKED FOR GOODWILL ASSISTANCE FROM BMW. ONCE MY CAR WAS TAKEN IN TO FIX THE RECALL BMW TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT HELP FINANCIALLY WITH THE REPAIRS OF MY VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT OF THE YEAR AND MILEAGE. CORPORATE TOLD ME THIS AFTER I HAD TO CHASE THEM DOWN ALL DAY BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY NEEDED A ANSWER BY 12PM AND NEEDED THE LOANER VEHICLE BACK. ONCE I RECEIVED THE ANSWER OF NO I ASKED CODY CAMPBELL IF THE RECALL WAS FIXED . HE REPLIED SAYING YES. I DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO THEN BE SENT BACK HOME BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY WERE SEALING SOME OF THE LEAKS FOR SAFETY PURPOSES. I FOUND THIS ODD BECAUSE IF YOU LOOKED ONLINE AND STILL LOOK NOW AS OF 10:09PM ON 10/05/2019 THE RECALL STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #11362950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS TRAVELING TO A LOCAL STORE. MY CAR SUDDENLY JERKED,RADIO TURNED OFF WHILE LIGHTS ON DASH FLICKERED ON AND OFF. I LOST POWER TEMPORARILY AND I BEGAN SMELLING WIRES. I ALSO NOTICE A 'POP' AS I ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER AND NOTICE NO BRAKE OPERATIONS SO I HAD TO COAST TO A STOP WITH MY 2 YEAR OLD IN THE BACKSEAT. I STARTED MY FLASHERS AND TURN OFF CAR TO SEARCH FOR SMELL. IT SEEMS LIKE DASH BUT I DIDN'T SEE ANY SMOKE. I GET BACK IN CAR AND ATTEMPT TO START IT AND NOTHING! I STILL HAVE POWER SO I WAS CONFUSED, I CHECK TRUNK ULTIMATELY AND REMOVE BATTERY COVER AND THIS IS WHAT I FOUND! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND VERY DANGEROUS. I GOT THE CAR TOWED HOME AND WON'T DRIVE UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED OBVIOUSLY. I AM UPSET BUT EVEN HAPPIER ME AND MY KID MADE IT HOME SAFELY, SOMETHING KEEPS TELLING ME TODAY WAS A BLESSING WE MADE IT.
NHTSA complaint #11340277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HAVE HAD THE CAR LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AND I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING NON-SAFE SITUATIONS. THE CAR JUST ONE DAY SUDDENLY DOESN?T COME OUT OF PARK. IT FINALLY GOT OUT OF PARK AND WHEN I TRY TO DRIVE AND IT REVERSES AND MAKE ALOT OF NOISE AND WHEN I SOMETIMES TRY TO REVERSE. IT DRIVES. THIS IS NOT SAFE. I?VE NEARLY GOTTEN MYSELF KILLED DUE TO THIS FAULTY BAD CAR. I TRIED TO CALL FOR A TRADE OR A REFUND AND THE COMPANY WAS RUDE TO ME. THIS CAR TAKES MY GIRLFRIEND AND I TO WORK AND THIS IS THE ONLY CARE WE HAVE. IT HASN'T BEEN A YEAR AND THE CAR HAS SO MANY ISSUES DOWN TO CAR NOT READING GEARS, BAD SPARK PLUGS , HOLE UNDERNEATH, FAULTY AIRBAGS, WINDOWS NOT WORKING, TIRE PRESSURES UNSAFE AND MUCH MORE THAT NO ONE WOULD WANT TO EXPERIENCE.
NHTSA complaint #11331454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN SHIFTED TO REVERSE ENGINE RPMS WENT WIDEOPEN CAUSING IT TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL FROM OUR DRIVEWAY INTO MOBILEHOME ACROSS FROM ME THEN INTO A VAN AND SHOVED IT INTO ANOTHER MOBILEHOME
NHTSA complaint #11316989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE IN DRIVE AT AN IDLE, VEHICLE WILL TRY TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. RPMS GOT HIGH AND WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE IT WAS STILL PUSHING THE VEHICLE FORWARD. PUT THE CAR IN TO NEUTRAL AND TAPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL. RPMS DROPPED BACK DOWN AND CAR IDLED NORMALLY.
NHTSA complaint #11063733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND THE RPMS RACED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SURGE WHEN AT A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MORE THAN TWICE, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION AND STATED THAT FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS NEEDED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V124000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR THEM TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10959149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON MAY 12, 2014, AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, I PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, SO THAT I CAN OPEN THE GARAGE DOOR, TO GET INSIDE OF MY GARAGE. AS I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND PROCEEDED TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY, AT A HIGH RATE OF ACCELERATION. I INSTINCTIVELY APPLIED THE BRAKES, HOWEVER, THIS SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, SAFETY DEFECT, CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO THE BACKSIDE WALL OF MY GARAGE, THUS CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY, WHICH MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO THE NOVEMBER 2013, BMW RECALL RELATING TO AIR BAGS. THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS 14,240, AT THE TIME THAT THIS SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION DEFECT, MANIFESTED ITSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MY LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP, HOWEVER, BECAUSE THIS SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION DEFECT, IS MORE THAN LIKELY, EMBEDDED OPERATING SYSTEM RELATED, THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO FIND A HARDWARE RELATED, MECHANICAL CAUSE, TO THIS STATED DEFECT. ON MAY 30, 2014, I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP, WITH MY HUSBAND ACCOMPANYING ME. AS I ARRIVED ON MY STREET AND ABOUT TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY, ONCE AGAIN, ALMOST STRIKING MY POSTAL CARRIER. MY HUSBAND, AS WELL AS MY POSTAL CARRIER, WERE WITNESSES TO THIS SECOND INCIDENCE OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE, AT THE TIME OF THIS SECOND OCCURRENCE, OF THE STATED DEFECT IS 14,247. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION HAS PLAGUED BMW VEHICLES, SINCE AT LEAST THE 1990'S. BMW 325 1990, BMW 750IL 1991, BMW 525 1992, BMW 318IS 1993, BMW 528I 1997, BMW 328I 1998, BMW 318 1998, BMW 528I 1998, BMW 328I 1999, BMW 528I 1999, BMW R1100 1999, BMW 750LI 2006, BMW 530I 2007, BMW 1 SERIES, ETC., HAVE ALL BEEN REPORTED BY BMW OWNERS AS HAVING THIS SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, SAFETY DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10597173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME INCIDENT ABOUT A DOZEN OF TIMES IN THE LAST 4-5 YEARS. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, AND BRAKE LIGHT ON, ENGINEER STARTED TO KNOCKING, SPEED FORCED DOWN TO LESS THAN 30 MPH WITHIN IN SECONDS. IT WAS QUITE SCARING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH SPEED AT ~50-70 MPG. MY DEALER HAS MADE SEVERAL REPAIRS, CHANGING EVERYTHING IN THIS SPEED CONTROLLING SYSTEM MULTIPLE TIMES ACCORDING TO THE BOOK, INCLUDING THROTTLE BODY TWICE, ELECTRIC HARNESS THREE TIMES, AND CONTROL COMPUTER UNIT ONCE, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURS. OCCASIONALLY, RESETTING THE SYSTEM AND/OR RESTARTING THE CAR, AND SOMETIMES RECONNECTING EVERY PARTS OF THE SYSTEM CAN AVOID THE PROBLEM FOR A WHILE (FROM A DAYS TO 1-2 YEARS). ALTHOUGH IT IS UNPREDICTABLE IN WHEN, IT WOULD COME BACK. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO COME MORE OFTEN WHEN THE WEATHER BECOME MORE WET. THIS MIMICS THE BEHAVIOR OF THE POOR ELECTRIC CONNECTIONS CONTROLLING THE TAILS AND TURNING LIGHTS OF THE SAME MODEL, WHICH WAS RECALLED BY BMW A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. IT SEEMS THAT THE SAME ELECTRIC CONNECTORS ARE USED IN THIS SPEED CONTROLLING SYSTEM. OBVIOUSLY, THIS PROBLEM IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE SIGNALING LIGHT ISSUE SINCE IT IS MORE LIKELY TO LEAD TO SEVERE ACCIDENTS/CRASHES IN THE HIGHWAY; I MIGHT BE DEAD OR SEVERELY INJURED IF I DID NOT RESPONDED QUICKLY ENOUGH WHEN WAS IN I-95 FOR EXAMPLE.
NHTSA complaint #10497625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST GEAR TO SECOND GEAR. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE DRIVER ERROR BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE RPMS WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD AND AFTER THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR, THE VEHICLE BEGAN INDEPENDENTLY DECREASING IN SPEED. IN ADDITION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DANGLING FROM ITS HOUSING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #10335778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO BMW - TO HAVE (THROTTLE RECALL ) WORK PERFORMED. APPARENTLY, IT WAS NOT DONE OR IF IT WAS DONE, WAS NOT TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND NOW, THE VEHICLE WILL JUMP FORWARD, WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. ALSO, BMW HAS REFUSED TO CORRECT THE SHORT IN THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT. WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED, THE 'CHECK 1 REAR BRAKE LIGHT' WILL ILLUMINATE - FOR ABOUT 5 - 7 MINUTES. AIRBAG LIGHT WILL ALSO COME ON WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED. NOW THE VEHICLE WILL STALL IN TRAFFIC, RPM' IS FINE AT 70 MILES PER HOUR ( NOT SAFE), I WOULD PREFER TO DRIVE THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT - IN CALIFORNIA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE INTO THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #10266446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. I WAS DECELERATING AND BRAKING, COMING TO A NEAR STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, WITH MY FOOT ONLY ON THE BRAKE. MY CAR, 2001 BMW 325I, SUDDENLY STARTED ACCELERATING WHILE MY FOOT WAS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. IT LURCHED FORWARDS OVERRIDING THE BRAKES UNTIL I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO PARK. I BUMPED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR THEN REVVED DOWN AND WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN NORMALLY AFTERWARDS. 2. FIRST TIME 3. HAVEN'T HAD IT IN FOR INSPECTION YET.
NHTSA complaint #10243848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DECELERATING TO STOP, IT SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO STRIKE THE FRONT END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE SHOP AND HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. UPDATED 07/07/08. *LJ UPDATED
NHTSA complaint #10226389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK MY CAR AT MY EMPLOYER'S GARAGE. I WAS TURNING MY WHEEL TO PARK IN A SPACE, MY FOOT WAS OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND MOVING VERY SLOWLY, WHEN MY CAR SEEMED TO JERK FORWARD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WENT FORWARD AT FULL SPEED. IT ACCELERATE ALL OF SUDDEN AND SMASHED INTO THE WALL. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PUSHING DOWN AS HARD AS I COULD, BUT TO NO AVAIL. IT HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY AND THE AFTERMATH RESULTED IN MY AIRBAG DEPLOYING AND CAUSING LACERATIONS, BURNS TO MY ARM, SMOKE AND CAUSING ME TO CHOKE.
NHTSA complaint #10225492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, MY VEHICLE STRUCK A CEMENT STRUCTURAL SUPPORTING COLUMN. I PUT ON BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR. THE IMPACT WAS LATER FOUND TO BE MINIMAL (DENT). SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE SOUND INCREASED AS THOUGH THE FOOT PEDAL HAD BEEN PUSHED DOWN FULL THROTTLE. MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE THROTTLE. DURING THIS TIME, INTERMITTENT CLICKING SOUNDS WERE HEARD, THE VEHICLE THEN ENGAGED INTO FORWARD AND DROVE ITSELF, AT FULL FORCE, AND HIT THE WALL OF THE PARKING STRUCTURE. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND BMW OF NORTH AMERICA WERE NOTIFIED. A TECHNICAL ENGINEER FROM BMW INSPECTED MY VEHICLE ON 4-2-2008. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TEST DRIVEN DUE TO ITS DAMAGES. THE RESULTS FROM WHAT WERE INSPECTED BY BMW REVEALED NO DEFECTS OR VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONS. I WAS INFORMED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE TOTALED I INCURRED A BROKEN RIB AND MULTIPLE CONTUSIONS DUE TO THIS ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10224374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS (12/25/2007 AND 02/22/2008), WHILE DECELERATING TO 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT REPORT THE FIRST FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER THE SECOND TIME. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,500.
NHTSA complaint #10219922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE TO AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS WARM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIRES FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MALFUNCTIONED AND THE PEDAL AND ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF UPDATED 03/04/08
NHTSA complaint #10214916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING ON A SMALL STREET, CAR LOST ACCELERATION, AND WOULD MOVE ONLY SLOWLY EVEN WHEN GAS PEDAL PUSHED ALL THE WAY. THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE ONTO AN INCLINED DRIVEWAY BECAUSE OF LACK OF POWER, THUS CAUSING THE CAR TO ROLL BACK AND HIT A ROW OF MAILBOXES. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A FREEWAY, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE DAMAGE TO PEOPLE AND PROPERTY. BMW ONLY OFFERED EXPLANATION OF "SENSOR" FAILURE AND WOULD NOT EXPLAIN MORE, FOR FEAR OF COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA complaint #10204806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SAFETY RECALL 98V178000 CONCERNIG ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM. HOWEVER , THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT'S COMPLAINED THAT THEY RECALL INVOLVED THE SAME T FAILURE AS THE CONTACT WAS HAVING WITH THIS VEHICLE.. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FIRST OVERHEATED ON 02/04/07, AND THIS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. SHE WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND THE WEATHER WAS COLD, BUT NICE. ALSO, THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL 97V131000 WITHN WHICH SHE CURRENTLY DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM. HOWEVER SHE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT REPAIRED AS WELL. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD IN THIS CASE THAT THE SAFETY RECALL DIED NOT APPLY TO THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE VIN EITHER. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRS MADE UNDER THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10181667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELARATED WITHOUT EFFORT. THERE WAS EMERGENCY BRAKING WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE HITTING A CONCRETE SUPPORT PARKING STRUCTURE ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ALMOST CONTINUED OVER THE EDGE OF THE PARKING STRUCTURE WHICH WAS TWO STORIES ABOVE THE GROUND. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN HOME THE REAR ABS BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE BRAKES LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED. DURING THIS PERIOD, THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS EXAMINED. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AT A CHARGE BEFORE THE BRAKES CHIP CAN BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO ABNORMAL CODE IN THE COMPUTER.
NHTSA complaint #10161316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.