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U.S. public vehicle records

2002 Bmw 325CI problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

30 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

110,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 30 complaints (76.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior26.7%
Engine operation13.3%
Electrical and battery issues13.3%

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.

Air Bags
23
Electrical System
2
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel
1
Engine
1
Exterior Lighting
1
Seat Belts
1
Structure:Body
1
Structure:Frame And Members
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags23
Electrical System2
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel1
Engine1
Exterior Lighting1
Seat Belts1
Structure:Body1
Structure:Frame And Members1

Air Bags: 23; Electrical System: 2; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 1; Engine: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Structure:Body: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
3
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
3
100,000 to 149,999
6
150,000 and above
3
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9993
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9993
100,000 to 149,9996
150,000 and above3

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 3

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 15 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.

2008
1
2010
1
2011
1
2012
1
2013
1
2014
5
2015
5
2016
8
2017
2
2018
1
2020
1
2022
1
2026
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20081
20101
20111
20121
20131
20145
20155
20168
20172
20181
20201
20221
20262

2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 5; 2015: 5; 2016: 8; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2020: 1; 2022: 1; 2026: 2

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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 10228797 · 2008-05-23 (May 23, 2008)

TODAY, AFTER FILLING UP GAS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2 MONTHS, SINCE I PURCHASED THIS NEW USED 2002 BMW 325CI, MODEL WITH NOW 45,000+ MILEAGES. I LIVE IN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT REQUIRES A LOT OF RED LIGHT STOP. AS I STOPPED TODAY, AT AROUND 9AM, AFTER THE GAS STATION, MY BREAK NOISE SQUEAK, AND THEN IT WOULD NOT STOP. AS I DRIVE AND STOP ON THE RED LIGHT, MY CAR WOULD JUMP, " BOUNCE FORWARD THEN STOP" BEFORE IT CAN IT FULLY STOP. AS I STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHEN I COME TO A STOP, IT WOULD NOT STOP COMPLETELY, THE CAR JUMPS COUPLE INCHES THEN STOPS. …

Owner-reported narrative. 44,640 miles reported. Look up ODI 10228797 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10469539 · 2012-08-07 (August 7, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TURN SIGNAL ALSO REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT RESPONDED AND FUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE, HOWEVER THEY DID NOT PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 129,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10469539 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10533570 · 2013-08-14 (August 14, 2013)

2002 BMW 325CI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE WOULD STALL, WHEN HE REDUCED HIS SPEED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR THEM TO EXAMINE AND FIX THE ENGINE STALL PROBLEM. HOWEVER, EACH TIME HE VISITED THE DEALER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.

Owner-reported narrative. 35,209 miles reported. Look up ODI 10533570 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10393042 · 2011-03-28 (March 28, 2011)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER WHEN SMOKE BEGAN EMITTING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND WITHIN MINUTES, THE INTERIOR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS DISPATCHED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND DETERMINED THE ORIGIN TO BE ELECTRICAL. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10393042 at NHTSA ↗