2002 Bmw 325 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
26 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
55,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 26 complaints (19.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 3 | 11.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 11.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 7.7% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.8% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
Air Bags: 5; Electrical System: 5; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 2; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Engine: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
2002: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 4; 2005: 3; 2010: 2; 2011: 3; 2014: 5; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 3
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10060156 · 2004-03-02 (March 2, 2004)
MY 2002 BMW 325CI ENGINE STALLED AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO EXIT THE FREEWAY. THE DASH LIGHTS LIT UP AND MY ENGINE SHUTOFF. AS I WAS ROLLING TO A STOP (GOOD THING NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OR BEHIND ME), I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE STARTED BACK UP AND I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE. I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH STEPTRONIC. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONE OTHER TIME A FEW MONTHS BACK WHEN LEAVING A GAS STATION WHERE I NEEDED TO COME TO A STOP AND PRESSED THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. I DIDN'T THINK OF IT…
Owner-reported narrative. 24,312 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060156 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10107619 · 2005-01-20 (January 20, 2005)
I HAVE A 2002 BMW 325CI WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH ABOUT 22000 MILES. MY CAR'S ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED WHILE IT WAS MOVING. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT AND ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. IT DIDN'T RESPOND WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS. I HAD TO TURN OFF AND RESTART THE ENGINE BEFORE IT WILL RUN AGAIN. AND THEN THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND ENGINE OIL LIGHT WENT AWAY. THIS HAS ALREADY HAPPENED TO MY CAR TWICE. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS ON A FREEWAY AT OVER 65 MPH. I THINK THAT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE PUT MY CAR IN PETER PAN BMW…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10107619 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016839 · 2003-05-01 (May 1, 2003)
ELECTRICAL HARNESS FAILURE
Owner-reported narrative. 15,650 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016839 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10124498 · 2005-06-07 (June 7, 2005)
DT: WHEN VEHICLE HAD ONLY 33 MILES EVERY SINGLE DUMMY LIGHT CAME ON THE CAR JUMPED FORWARD AND DIED OUT. IT HAD BEEN TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS IN DIFFERENT STATES , AND THEY SAID IT WAS ALWAYS SOMETHING DIFFERENT. WHILE GOING 65 MPH ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND VEHICLE STOPPED. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN, AND VEHICLE ALMOST HIT SOMEONE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 31,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10124498 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 756694 · 2002-01-11 (January 11, 2002)
THE STEERING COLUMN IS KINKED AN INCH TO THE LEFT. I DO NOT MEAN THE WHEEL IS TURNED TO ONE O'CLOCK, I MEAN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL IS 1 INCH CLOSER TO THE DASH BOARD THAN THE RIGHT. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THE COLUMN IS WHERE IT SHOULD BE UNDER THE HOOD. THE DEALER SAID THAT A NUMBER OF COUPES HAVE THIS PROBLEM. WHEN I SPOKE TO BMW THEY SAID TALK WITH THE DEALER. I HAVE ASKED FOR A LETTER TO SAY THIS IS SAFE AND BMW HAS REFUSED TO ISSUE SUCH A LETTER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 756694 at NHTSA ↗