Model year record

1993 BMW 325i recalls & problems

The 1993 BMW 325i has 3 safety recalls and 21 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (6 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints21filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Engine and engine coolingAug 4, 1998

Cooling system

Recall 98V178000340,000 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.
Risk: IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.

Vehicle speed controlAug 19, 1997

Vehicle speed control

Recall 97V131000410,000 vehicles

Problem: THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.

Exterior lightingJul 1, 1996

Brake lights › Switch

Recall 96V111000180,000 vehicles

Problem: THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.
Risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ON, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION. FOLLOWING DRIVERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STOPPING, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1993 BMW 325i 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

325i Convertible

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingCooling system › Radiator assembly; Cooling system	6	—
Electrical systemIgnition › Module	4	—
Exterior lightingTurn signal; Brake lights	3	—
EquipmentMechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift; Appliance › Air conditioner	3	—
VisibilitySun/moon roof assembly; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core	2	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	2	—
Vehicle speed controlLinkages	2	—
Steering	1	—
Seat beltsFront › Retractor	1	—
StructureFrame and members	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING, THE ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING AND THE RADIATOR FAN WAS INOPERABLE. IN ADDITION, THE RESERVOIR FOR THE RADIATOR WAS NOT MOUNTED CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
May 18, 2011 · 155,000 miles
Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING AND THE TEMPERATURE WOULD NOT MAINTAIN ACCURATE TEMPERATURES. LATER, THE HEATING UNIT FAILED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT REPAIRS WERE NOT MADE BECAUSE THE FAILURES WERE OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CONTACT LOCATED A RECALL, BUT WAS UNSURE IF HER VIN WAS INCLUDED BECAUSE SHE NEVER RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
Apr 10, 2000
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
THE SEALS ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK LEAKED GAS. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *NM THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS WOULD ONLY HAPPEN IF THE SENDING UNIT SEALS ARE DEFECTIVE. *SC THE DEALER FOUND THAT A HOSE AND SENDING UNIT SEALS WERE LEAKING FUEL ON TOP OF THE TANK *JB
Dec 10, 2003
Structure › Frame and members
THE SUBFRAME CRACKED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION. THE CRACK IS LOCATED ON THE SUBFRAME WHERE THE REAR CONTROL ARM ATTACHED. I M AFRIAD THAT THE REAR AXLE MAY FALL OFF THE VEHICLE DURING DRIVING. I HAVE FOUND OTHER OWNER COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ON THE E36 DESIGN. THIS IS A WEAKNES ON THE SURFRAME THAT CASUES IT TO FAIL IN FATIGUE. I AM A METALLURGICAL ENGINEER AND HAVE VISUALLY INSPECTED THE CRACK. IT DID NOT SHOWN ANY CORROSION, THUS INDICIATING THAT IT IS NOT A ENVIRONMENTAL INDUCE FAILURE. THIS PROBLREM IS A MANUFACTURE PROBLEM IN AN INADEQUATELY DESGINED COMPONENT. A SUBFRAME IS A STRUCTURE COMPONENT AND SHOULD FAIL UDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS.THE ESTIMATE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IS…
Mar 2, 2002
Exterior lighting › Headlights
HEADLIGHTS: HEADLIGHTS ON LIGHT TRUCKS AND SUV'S ARE TOO HIGH. THIS CAUSES CAR DRIVERS TO BE BLINDED, SO THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE WHERE TO DRIVE. A SECONDARY EFFECT IS TO CAUSE ROAD RAGE, WITH CONSEQUENCES RANGING FROM NONE TO MURDER. FMVSS SHOUD BE CHANGED TO LIMIT THE HEIGHT OF HEADLIGHTS.*AK
May 7, 2002
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
RECALL 98V178000; VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED SIX TIMES FOR ENGINE COOLING THERMOSTAT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Nov 26, 2001
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER FOR RECALL 98V178000 REPAIRS. DEALERSHIP REMEDIED VEHICLE AS STATED IN RECALL, BUT CONSUMER WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Oct 10, 2000
Seat belts › Front › Retractor
DRIVERS SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT ALWAYS AND THE SEATBELT WITH BE LOOSE AND UNSAFE.*AK
Aug 15, 2000

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.