2002 Bmw 325I problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
162 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
80,050 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 90 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 45 of 162 complaints (27.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 28 | 17.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 17 | 10.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 3.7% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 3.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 1.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.9% |
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 | 45 |
| Exterior Lighting | 38 |
| Electrical System | 16 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 12 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 6 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 4 |
| Engine | 4 |
Air Bags: 45; Exterior Lighting: 38; Electrical System: 16; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 12; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Air Bags:Side/Window: 4; Engine: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 11 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 21 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 19 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 22 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 21; 75,000 to 99,999: 19; 100,000 to 149,999: 22; 150,000 and above: 10
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (22). 72 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 | 8 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2011 | 25 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 22 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2002: 8; 2003: 4; 2004: 9; 2005: 4; 2006: 4; 2007: 1; 2008: 9; 2009: 11; 2010: 17; 2011: 25; 2012: 9; 2013: 2; 2014: 8; 2015: 10; 2016: 22; 2017: 8; 2018: 2; 2019: 4; 2020: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 28 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 17 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 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 10039540 · 2003-09-25 (September 25, 2003)
FROM DAY ONE , I ALREADY EXPERIECED A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR, AT FIRST THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING, SHELLY BMW TOOK CARE OF IT FOR OVER A WEEK , THEY SAID THERE IS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT THEY HAD TO CHANGE THE COMPUTER, AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS, THE ALARM GOES OFF WHILE DRIVING ,I TOOK THE CAR TO CUNNINGHAM BMW BECAUSE I LIVEDHERE IN SAN DIEGO IT TOOK THEM ALMOST A WEEK BUT THEY NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM THEY'RE SAYING THAT THEYNEED MORE TIME TO FIGURE WHAT REALLY THE PROBLEM AND WHAT CAUSING THE ALARM SIREN GOES OFF WHILE DRIVING .I TOOK IT TO DIF…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10039540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10103397 · 2004-12-09 (December 9, 2004)
THE CONSUMER PULLED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, MADE A LEFT TURN, DROVE A FEW YARDS, STOPPED AGAIN, PROCEEDED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD AT AN ESTIMATE SPEED OF 45 MPH. THE CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO NO AVAIL. THE CONSUMER STRUGGLED TO STEER THE VEHICLE FROM A TWO LANE BUSY STREET. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GRASSY EMBANKMENT. ALL FOUR TIRES BLEW OUT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER A FACTORY ENGINEER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE,…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10103397 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10292836 · 2009-11-18 (November 18, 2009)
2002 BMW 325I REAR TAILLIGHTS HAVE FAILED ON BOTH SIDES DUE TO THE WIRING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARNESS HAVE EITHER MELTED AND GROUND TO THE OTHER WIRES OR MELTED THE TABS OFF OF THE MALE PLUG. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 10,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10292836 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10233446 · 2008-07-07 (July 7, 2008)
BMW 2002 325 I WITH 92,000 MILES, TRANSMISSION FAILURE, CAR WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE, SAME SITUATION MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING WITH 99-2004 MODELS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 92,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10233446 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10239608 · 2008-08-25 (August 25, 2008)
TRANSMISSION FAILURE, REVERSE GEAR DOESN'T WORK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10239608 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10083318 · 2004-07-20 (July 20, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED,THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE EXHAUST SYSTEM NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10083318 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10329776 · 2010-05-10 (May 10, 2010)
IN A MATTER OF TWO HOURS MY 325I WAS RUNNING FINE TO NOT GOING IN REVERSE AT ALL. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING IN A LOT OF CARS MY YEAR AND TYPE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THERE IS NO WARNING, ONE MINUTE YOU CAN BACK UP NEXT IT IS JUST STALLED IN REVERSE. BMW NEEDS TO STAND UP AND SEE THAT THEIR PRODUCT HAS A DEFECT AND POTENTIALLY CAN CAUSE INJURIES. THE DEALERSHIP I CALLED SAID IT'S IS THE TRANSMISSION, LET'S SET UP AN APPT AND BRING IT IN. IT STILL GOES NO PROBLEM AT ALL IN DRIVE. SOMEONE PLEASE HEL…
Owner-reported narrative. 153,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10329776 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10052696 · 2004-01-08 (January 8, 2004)
THE STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED DURING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE CAR BECOMES COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. MY VEHICLE, A BMW 325I, WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW ON MAY 7, 2002. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 22,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052696 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056072 · 2004-01-23 (January 23, 2004)
FOLLOW-UP TO NOVEMBER 20, 2003 CORRESPONDENCE TO MR. SEAN HAGGARD OF BMW OF NORTH AMERICA REGARDING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING ON THREE OCCASIONS. *PH THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASION TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND THEREFORE THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER. *NM (NAR)
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10056072 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10152923 · 2006-03-17 (March 17, 2006)
THE FUEL LEAKED ALL OVER MY GARAGE AFTER I FILLED IT JUST MINUTES LATER WHEN I GOT HOME. HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SO THEY COULD STABILIZE THE AREA TO MAKE IT SAFE. WHAT A HIDEOUS AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND DEADLY FAILURE FOR A CAR TO HAVE!! THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER (WHERE IT WAS FRONT ENDED -AND NO ONE CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY SO I HAD TO FILE THROUGH MY OWN INSURANCE! WHAT A SCAM! THE DEALERSHIP - PATRICK BMW IN SCHAUMBURG, IL HAD THE FUEL LEAK FIXED UNDER WARRANTY AND SAID THAT THE FUEL PUMP/FUEL LEVELER HAD FAILED SO THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 47,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10152923 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10328950 · 2010-05-05 (May 5, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE LIGHT WAS STILL ILLUMINATED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE ABS MODULE BUT THE CONTACT REFUSED THAT REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 113,000. THE FAILURE MIL…
Owner-reported narrative. 112,970 miles reported. Look up ODI 10328950 at NHTSA ↗