43 of the 1,808 complaints filed about the BMW 325I are about the body and structure — 2% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2006.
43
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
3
Crashes
2
Fires
STRUCTURE:BODY
On Tuesday June 20, 2023 at 7:20am I was awakened by my neighbor who informed me that my car was on fire. A report was done by the fire department and they did not believe it was done on purpose but something with my car. My car was totally consumed with fire nothing but ashes.
NHTSA complaint #11530869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE DOOR LOCKS STOP WORKING PERIODICALLY WHERE ONLY THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL UNLOCK WITH THE KEY. AT THAT TIME, THE REAR AND PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE REMOTE OR THE BUTTON IN THE CENTER CONSOLE OR BY PULLING ON THE DOOR RELEASE INSIDE THE DOORS. THE BMW USUALLY UNLOCKS THE DOOR WITH THE FIRST PULL AND THEN OPENS WITH THE SECOND, BUT WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING, THE DOOR RELEASE (DOOR HANDLE) ON THE INSIDE DOES NOTHING. THIS RESULTS IN ONLY THE DRIVERS DOOR OPENING AND I HAVE TO REACH BACK OVER THE SEATS TO UNBUCKLE MY KIDS AND THEN PULL THEM OUT OVER THE BACK OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. SO LONG AS WE START OUTSIDE THE CAR, IT JUST MAKES THE BACK SEATS UNUSABLE. BUT IF I LOCK THE DOORS WHILE THE KIDS ARE IN THE CAR WHILE DRIVING AND THIS HAPPENS, WE GET INTO THE SCARY/FREAKY SITUATION. I VERIFIED THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS AREN'T ENGAGED FOR THE DOORS THAT DISABLE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES/RELEASES. I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSES THIS TO HAPPEN, IT JUST HAPPENS PERIODICALLY AND THEN GOES AWAY WITH NOTHING I CAN SEE AS A CAUSE. I HAVE VIDEO OF THIS HAPPENING, BUT THE FILE FORMATS LISTED DO NOT INCLUDE VIDEOS.
NHTSA complaint #11331952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO UNLOCK EVERY DOOR. IN ADDITION, THE LOCKING MECHANISM SWITCH FAILED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WHILE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNLOCKED THROUGH THE WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE MANUALLY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS THE ONLY DOOR THAT WOULD NOT UNLOCK MANUALLY. THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10766329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE VAPOR BARRIER IN THE DOOR LEAKS DURING RAIN. THE FLOOR OF THE CAR GETS VERY WET.
NHTSA complaint #10743826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS DRIVING IN THE CENTER LANE AND A CEMENT TRUCK WAS DRIVING IN THE RIGHT LANE ABOUT ONE CAR LENGTHS AHEAD OF ME WHEN SOME FELL OFF OF HIS TRUCK AND HIT MY HOOD, PUTTING A HOLE THROUGH IT. IT THEN HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE PANEL, MIRROR AND METAL PIECE BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE PASSENGER WINDOW. I TRIED FOR A MINIMUM OF 5 MILES TO GET THE DRIVER TO PULL OVER TO NO AVAIL. I THINK HE MAY HAVE BEEN DRINKING BECAUSE WHEN HE CHANGED LANES HE WOULD USE THE WRONG TURN SIGNAL. LEFT LANE CHANGE HE USED THE RIGHT SIGNAL AND VICE VERSA. WE COULD NOT FIND THE PIECE THAT HIT MY CAR BUT IT WAS GREASY, BECAUSE I HAD GREASE AT EVERY DAMAGED AREA.
NHTSA complaint #10715964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
THERE IS A CLEAR MANUFACTURING DEFECT CONCERNING THE ALUMINUM SCREWS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND THE ALUMINUM HEAD BOLTS ON 2006 BMW 325I'S. THE NHTSA HAS RECEIVED MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS DEFECT. THE ALUMINUM SCREWS/BOLTS HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED SINCE DISCOVERING THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. BMWNA HAVE HAD NUMEROUS SERVICE ISSUES RELATED TO THESE DEFECTIVE ALUMINUM SCREWS/BOLTS. THEY HAVE OPENLY ADMITTED THAT THE SCREWS/BOLTS IN QUESTION WERE DEFECTIVE IN NATURE AND PRODUCTION, AND THAT THE SCREWS/BOLTS HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED TO AVOID FUTURE FAILURES. SOME OF THESE COMPLAINTS INCLUDED, AND RESULTED IN, VEHICLES LEAKING OIL IN THE ENGINE AREA, POTENTIALLY CAUSING FIRES IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEFECTIVE SCREWS/BOLTS POSE A SERIOUS POTENTIAL RISK TO THE SAFETY OF THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES, AS WELL AS TO OTHER DRIVERS WHO SHARE THE ROADWAY WITH THEM. IT IS MY STRONG BELIEF THAT THIS PUBLIC SAFETY RISK CANNOT GO ON ANY FURTHER WITHOUT PROPER INTERVENTION FROM THE GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES WE EMPLOY AS TAXPAYERS. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT BMWNA ISSUE A VOLUNTARY RECALL OF THE BMW 2006 325I'S AFFECTED BY THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. IF BMWNA DECLINES TO ISSUE A VOLUNTARY RECALL, I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THE NHTSA ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. I HAVE LEARNED THAT BMW OF NORTH AMERICA IS AWARE OF THE DEFECTIVE ALUMINUM SCREWS/BOLTS, AND HAS ISSUED AN INTERNAL "TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN" (TSB) TO FOREWARN DEALERSHIPS OF THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT, AND THE STEPS TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. I HAVE DILIGENTLY MAINTAINED MY VEHICLE AS PRESCRIBED BY THE SERVICE MANUALS, AS WELL AS THE ON BOARD COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE. MY CONTENTION IS EXTREMELY CLEAR; THE ALUMINUM BOLTS ARE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE FIXED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER!
NHTSA complaint #10678988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
REMOTE UNLOCKING/LOCKING WILL NOT FUNCTION. DOORS CAN NOT BE OPENED OR UNLOCKED FROM INSIDE VEHICLE WITH CENTRAL LOCK SWITCH OR WITH DOOR HANDLE, TRAPPING PASSENGERS INSIDE. THE DRIVERS WINDOW MUST BE ROLLED DOWN AND KEY USED TO UNLOCK DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO EXIT VEHICLE. CLIMBING OUT OF WINDOWS OR CLIMBING TO DRIVERS SEAT IS THE ONLY WAY OUT OF CAR, BMW STATES "NOT A SAFETY ISSUE".
NHTSA complaint #10626613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
WINDSHIELD MOLDING DISINTEGRATING INTO PIECES , DEFECTIVE MATERIAL - CAN CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD TO BREAK OR COME LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #10572620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS PARKING AND TURNED OFF THE CAR AND WAS NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. USUALLY I JUST NEED TO PULL THE HANDLE TWICE AND IT OPENS BUT THIS TIME IT WOULD NOT OPEN. I TRIED THE ELECTRIC REMOTE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS AND IT DID NOT AFFECT THE LOCKS. I TRIED THE PASSENGER DOOR AND IT DID NOT OPEN EITHER. I HAD TO EXIT THE CAR FROM THE BACK DOORS. I DETERMINED A FUSE WAS BLOWN AND REPLACED THE 15A FUSE WITH A 20A FUSE AS RECOMMENDED BY THE BMW FORUM AND IT NOW WORKS FINE. THE CONCERN IS IF I HAD TO EXIT THE CAR FROM THE FRONT DOORS, I WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAPPED.
NHTSA complaint #10551586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED IN THE GARAGE AND I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS EITHER FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS OCCUPIED AND THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10523593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
SMALL CRACK HAS DEVELOPED IN THE MAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP IS ON. NHTSA RECALL BULLETIN INDICATED THERE WAS A RECALL (REFERENCE NUMBER 08V384000) ON THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS; HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP SAID MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT LISTED. CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING. I BELIEVE BMW SHOULD ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS REPAIR SINCE THEY HAVE A RECALL ON OVER 200,000 VEHICLES AND I AM EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. ESTIMATED REPAIR IS $1,500. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
NHTSA complaint #10498285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
NUMBER OF DEATHS? NONE YET, BUT TBD FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS EXTREMELY UNSAFE CONDITION. 2006 BMW 325I DOORS LOCKS FAIL TO OPEN, AND ALL INTERIOR DOOR LATCHES ARE INOPERATIVE. ALL DOORS ARE INOPERATIVE IF ONE FUSE (#57) FAILS OR IF THE BATTERY FAILS. THIS IS A SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT SAFETY. IF THERE IS A CRASH OR FIRE, PEOPLE CAN DIE INSIDE THE VEHICLE IF THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED. WHEN THIS FUSE FAILS, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES DON'T FUNCTION. THE ONLY WAY TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF THE VEHICLE IS TO REMOVE THE HIDDEN KEY FROM THE FOB, OPEN THE DRIVER'S WINDOW AND UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THAT WILL ALLOW THE DRIVER'S DOOR TO OPEN BUT NONE OF THE OTHER DOORS WILL OPEN. IS THIS ALLOWABLE UNDER NHTSA SAFETY REGULATIONS? I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT IT IS. THIS IS NOT AN OBSCURE OCCURRENCE EITHER. IT HAS HAPPENED TO MY CAR A FEW TIMES AND HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY OTHER PEOPLE ON BMW OWNER'S FORUMS AND ON NHTSA COMPLAINT FORMS. LINKS BELOW: HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2006/BMW/3_SERIES/LATCHES_LOCKS_LINKAGES/PROBLEM.ASPX HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/ARCHIVE/INDEX.PHP/T-342620.HTML
NHTSA complaint #10456872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOORS LOCKS FAILED BY USE OF THE KEY AND THE REMOTE. THE FRONT DOORS WERE STUCK IN THE LOCK POSITION AND THE REAR DOORS WERE STUCK IN THE UNLOCKED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT EVERY DOOR ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
NHTSA complaint #10432192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS WET AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS EXPOSED TO RAINY CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE VAPOR BARRIER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.
NHTSA complaint #10412297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN EITHER WITH THE KEYLESS REMOTE OR BY PULLING ON THE DOOR HANDLE INSIDE THE CAR (THE WINDOWS WERE DOWN SO I COULD REACH INSIDE) I HAD TO OPEN THE PASSENGER DOOR AND CLIMB ACROSS THE SEAT TO GET INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE BUTTON BETWEEN THE SEATS TO UNLOCK ALL OF THE DOORS ALSO FAILED TO OPEN ANY OF THE LOCKS. THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH BESIDE IT STILL WORKED, SO I KNOW THE PROBLEM ISN'T DUE TO THAT FAULTY SWITCH. THIS DOOR LOCKS RETURNED TO NORMAL AFTER DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND IT HASN'T YET RETURNED IN THE FIVE DAYS.
NHTSA complaint #10356155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN EITHER WITH THE KEYLESS REMOTE OR BY PULLING ON THE DOOR HANDLE INSIDE THE CAR (THE WINDOWS WERE DOWN SO I COULD REACH INSIDE) I HAD TO OPEN THE PASSENGER DOOR AND CLIMB ACROSS THE SEAT TO GET INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE BUTTON BETWEEN THE SEATS TO UNLOCK ALL OF THE DOORS ALSO FAILED TO OPEN ANY OF THE LOCKS. THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH BESIDE IT STILL WORKED, SO I KNOW THE PROBLEM ISN'T DUE TO THAT FAULTY SWITCH. THIS DOOR LOCKS RETURNED TO NORMAL AFTER DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND IT HASN'T YET RETURNED IN THE FIVE DAYS SINCE.
NHTSA complaint #10349481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
I HAVE A 2006 BMW 325 I WITH ONLY 34K ON IT,ALL ITS DOORS EXCEPT THE DRIVER DOOR CANT BE OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE,ONLY DRIVER DOOR OPEN. IT IS A GREAT DANGER IN CASE OF ACCIDENT OR FIRE PEOPLE FROM PASSENGER SIDE OR FROM REAR SEATS CAN GET STUCK .
NHTSA complaint #10345747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE CAR DOOR CAN'T BE OPENED FROM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE, AND THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR IS USING THE MANUAL KEY FROM OUTSIDE. THIS IS A BIG ISSUE IF THE DRIVER IS LOCKED INSIDE DURING A HAZARD. THIS IS A VERY VERY COMMON PROBLEM AS MANY OF CUSTOMERS EXPERIENCE THE SAME THING. PLEASE REFER TO THIS FORUM. HTTP://WWW.E90POST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=160062.
NHTSA complaint #10334554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1- STEERING SHAKES A LOT AT SPEED 45 AND OVER AND UNEVEN WEAR ON BOTH FRONT TIRE. 2- THE SHOP LIFTED UP THE CAR AND SAID THAT BOTH SIDES OF THE FRAME THAT HOLDING THE SWAY BAR ARE RUSTED THROUGH AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE BUT TO GO TO THE DEALER. 3- WELL THE DEALER WAS NOT CO-OPERATIVE ON THE ISSUE AND WANT ME TO PAY FOR THE FIX.
NHTSA complaint #10334171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.