65 of the 1,808 complaints filed about the BMW 325I are about the transmission — 4% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2003.
65
Complaints
4%
Share of all complaints
3
Crashes
2
Fires
POWER TRAIN
OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET LEAKED ON TO ALTERNATOR CAUSING THE ALTERNATOR TO OVER HEAT AND MELT INTERNAL COMPONENTS WHICH CAUSING LACK OF POWER AND MULTIPLE FALSE CHECK ENGINE CODES TO COME ON AND SMOKE CLOUDED MY VIEW WHILE DRIVING SO VERY COMMON PROBLEM IS THE HEATER CORE LEAKING TOO
NHTSA complaint #11407804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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.
POWER TRAIN
DRIVING ON 12/12/2019 ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY ABOUT 65MPH, GOING STRAIGHT, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN REAR WHEELS (THIS IS RWD - 2003 BMW 325I) LOCKED UP COMPLETELY - THE VEHICLE WENT FORWARD AT ABOUT 45 DEGREES SIDEWAYS BEFORE IT STRAIGHTENED OUT WHEN THE SPEED DROPPED. THANKFULLY I DID NOT HIT ANYBODY, AND NO ONE HIT ME ALTHOUGH THERE WAS QUITE A BIT OF TRAFFIC ON THIS MULTI LANE INTERSTATE. I GOT AAA TOW IT HOME. HE HAD TO DRAG IT ONTO THE TRUCK BED AS THE REAR WHEELS CONTINUED TO BE LOCKED UP. WHEN I REMOVED AND OPENED THE DIFFERENTIAL TAPERED ROLLER BEARING ROLLERS WERE IN THE OIL SPACE. LOOKING TO SEE WHERE THEY JAMMED THE SYSTEM UP I NOTICED MARKS ON THE CARRIER. IT APPEARS ROLLERS JAMMED UP IN BETWEEN THE CARRIER AND THE INNER WALL OF THE DIFFERENTIAL BOX - SEE PHOTOGRAPHS. THEY MAY ALSO HAVE JAMMED UP IN BETWEEN THE GEARING BUT I DID NOT NOTICE MARKS ON THE TEETH BUT DID NOT HAVE TIME TO SPEND TO LOOK MORE CLOSELY.
NHTSA complaint #11289962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
WHEN I PUSH THE BRAKE FOR A COMPLETE STOP, IT WILL STOP BUT MILISECONDS AFTER THAT I WILL GET JUMPY. IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR SOMEONE THAT IS NOT USED TO THE VEHICLE, IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS ABOUT TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. IT HAPPENS WHEN THERE IS A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR WHEN I AM GOING TO PARK MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11151995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
STALL LIMPS
NHTSA complaint #11074684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BUSHINGS ON THE FRONT AXLE WERE DAMAGED AND THE CONTROL ARMS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT COULD ASK FOR A DISCOUNT AT THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,598. UPDATED 08/22/17*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10991070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
I HAVE A 2003 325I WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH THE FOOT ON THE BRAKES (LIGHTLY), AS THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS I CAN HEAR A THUD/CLUNK COMING FROM THE REAR END OF MY CAR ALONG WITH A INCREASE IN THE RPM'S. I ALSO HEAR IT AS SOON AS I LET OFF MY FOOT OF THE GAS PEDAL OR ACCELERATE CAUSING MY CAR TO NOT DRIVE PROPERLY AND MY TRANSMISSION TO HIT MY SUSPENSION VERY HARD. SO, I'VE SEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND OTHER BMW FORUMS AND FOUND THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME COMPLAINTS AND THIS EXACT PROBLEM WHICH IS DANGEROUS & VERY SCARY.
NHTSA complaint #10979951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
BOUGHT 2003 BMW 325I BRAND NEW. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR 4 YEARS (39,800MILIES) IT STARTED MAKING A THUMB SOUND AND STARTED LOSING TRANSMISSION POWER AND THE GEAR INDICATION LIGHT TURNS ON. BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP AND I THOUGHT IT WAS FIXED. IT WAS ALWAYS HAPPENING UNTIL THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. I CAN NOT USE THE CAR SPECIALLY DURING COLD WEATHER. THIS PROBLEM WAS HAPPENING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CITY STREET WHILE IN MOTION. MOST OF THE TIME THE CAR IS IN THE GARAGE. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT AT ONLY 39,800 MILES, THIS CAR IS GOING TO HAVE SUCH A MAJOR PROBLEM. BUT I BELIEVE THIS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. THIS CAR STILL LOOKS MINT BECAUSE OF RARE USAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10850555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND BACKWARDS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,866.
NHTSA complaint #10724432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
I AM HORRIFIED. I HAVE 135K MILES ON MY 2001 BMW 325I AND IT WILL NO LONGER REVERSE. I TOOK IT INTO THE TRANSMISSION GUY AND HE TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $4K TO REPAIR. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN VERY GOOD SHAPE, WITH BARELY ANY PROBLEM. HE ALSO SENT ME TO A WEBSITE WHERE APPARENTLY MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THERE IS A WELL KNOWN FAILURE ESP WITH THE 2001 MODEL 3-SERIES. I BELIEVE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OR RECALL SHOULD BE BROUGHT AGAINST BMW.
NHTSA complaint #10663670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION OIL LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #10572619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
MY CAR WAS FUNCTIONING PERFECTLY FINE THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT. I WENT INTO A RESTAURANT AND WHEN I CAME OUT AND GOT INTO MY CAR AND TRIED TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING LOT MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP BUT NO MOVEMENT. I PUSHED IT OUT AND PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND THE CAR WORKS FINE BUT THERE IS NO REVERSE. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE QUOTE I WAS GIVEN IS $6000! MY CAR HIGH BOOKS AT $5400. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THESE CARS AND BMW REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE IT AS A PROBLEM. NOW I'M STUCK WITH A CAR THAT I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX NOR DO I WANT TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO THE CAR THAN IT WILL EVER BE WORTH. I NEED HELP!
NHTSA complaint #10533390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
CAR ONLY HAS 63,000 MILES. THE ALUMINUM BOLTS FOR THE VALVE COVER AND THE HEAD BOLTS SHEARED OFF WHILE DRIVING. STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND CAR STARTS TO SHAKE, CHECK ENGINE SIGN LIGHTS, OIL SIGN LIGHTS, ONCE I GAVE IT GAS. OIL IS LEAKING FROM CAR. CAR IS TOWED AND MECHANIC SHOWS ME DAMAGE. BROKEN ALUMINUM BOLTS FELL INSIDE OF ENGINE. BOLT IS WEDGED BETWEEN TIMING CHAIN AND GEAR. THE ENGINE IS DESTROYED. KNOWN DEFECT FOR 2006 MODELS, BUT BMW NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT COVER DAMAGE. HAVE CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA THREE TIMES NOW. BMW SWITCHED BOLT TYPE IN FOLLOWING YEARS. OTHERS REPORTING SAME PROBLEM. SAFETY HAZARD. WHAT IF I WAS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR STOPPED? CAR WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. BMW NEEDS TO ADMIT TO THEIR MISTAKE AND COVER THE DAMAGES. A RECALL SHOULD BE PUT IN PLACE FOR THE BOLTS. JUST RIDICULOUS THAT A COMPANY KNOWN FOR QUALITY WILL DO THIS TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. I HOPE THE DOT TAKES IT UPON THEMSELVES TO HOLD BMW ACCOUNTABLE. OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, PLEASE EMAIL ME AT [XXX]. LOOKING FOR A POTENTIAL RESOLUTION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10503258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL THROUGH THE HEAD GASKET. IN ADDITION, THE SUN ROOF CLOTH DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEPTRONIC TRANSMISSION GEARS WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN DS OR MANUAL, ONLY DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
NHTSA complaint #10456078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
MY CAR'S TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON SO I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON BUT THE WARNING LIGHT WOULDN'T GO AWAY. AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED ON, IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE EVEN THOUGH I COULD HEAR THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AND WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT MY TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $6,500-. IT SEEMS THAT SEVERAL BMW OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN SINCE I WAS ON A 2-LANE HIGHWAY THROUGH MOUNTAINS WITHOUT ANY CELL PHONE RECEPTION.
NHTSA complaint #10455284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE ROUTINELY STALLS WHEN ENGINE IS COLD AND CAR IS PLACED IN REVERSE. WE BACK OUT OF THE GARAGE AND GO OVER THE SLIGHT BUMP AT THE THRESHOLD, AND THE CAR STALLS AND MUST BE RE-STARTED. SEEMS AS IF ENGINE IS IDLING VERY HIGH AS WELL. ONCE RE-STARTED, THE CAR SEEMS TO RUN OK.
NHTSA complaint #10441965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
2001 BMW 325I. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE TRANSMISSION BLEW OUT *TGW
NHTSA complaint #10440711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
HEADS OF HEAD BOLTS BROKE OFF. NORMAL SLOW, SHORT COMMUTE DRIVING. EXHAUST SMOKING.
NHTSA complaint #10430346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
HEADS OF HEAD BOLTS BROKE OFF. OIL LEAKING & EXHAUST SMOKING. NORMAL DRIVING WITH NO AUTO MODIFICATIONS AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10430344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
XENON LIGHTS WENT OUT SHORTLY AFTER THE 50,000 MARK. SHORTLY AFTER CAR KEPT GOING INTO FAIL SAFE MODE, KEPT GETTING LOW VOLTAGE READINGS ON DIAGNOSTICS. ONE BMW DEALERS KEPT TELLING ME I NEEDED TO REBUILD TRANSMISSION. ALL THEY WOULD DO IS PLUG THE CAR INTO THE COMPUTER AND SEE THE TRANNY READING ON THE SCANNER. THE REASON THERE WAS A TRANNY READING WAS BECAUSE THE CAR WAS IN FAIL SAFE MODE. I EVENTUALLY HAD THE TRANNY REBUILT AND I STILL HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I WOULD CYCLE THE IGNITION AND RESTART THE CAR AND CAR WOULD DRIVE FINE. IT KEEPS GOING INTO FAIL SAFE MODE EVERYTIME I START THE CAR. ITS HARDER TO GET IT OUT OF FAIL SAFE MODE IN THE WINTER WITH COLDER STARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10425820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.