Bmw 325IS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
142,450 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 to 1995 model years. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 29 complaints (17.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 10.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 6.9% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 6.9% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 6.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 5 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Structure | 2 |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 2 |
| Suspension:Rear | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 5; Structure:Frame And Members: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Structure: 2; Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields: 2; Suspension:Rear: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 5
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 18 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 9 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2000: 9; 2001: 3; 2003: 5; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2006: 3; 2009: 1; 2011: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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 857785 · 2000-03-02 (March 2, 2000)
LEFT GAS TANK FUEL SENDING UNIT HAS GONE BAD/IS CRACKED UNDERNEITH THE REAR SEAT, CAUSING FUMES/ODOR TO ENTER INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 857785 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10097084 · 2004-10-18 (October 18, 2004)
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONSUMER NOTICED A LIQUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND FUEL PUMP NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10097084 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043405 · 2003-10-23 (October 23, 2003)
I RECENTLY HAD THE REAR END OF MY CAR DETACHED ITSELF FROM THE SUPREME WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO SEVERAL MECHANIC AND HAVE HAD EVERY INDIVIDUAL MECHANIC SAY HE HAS SEEN IT HAPPENED TO MY SAME EXACT CAR. AND ALSO SAID I WAS LUCKY I DIDN'T CRASH. AFTER HAVING THE CAR LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC HE SAID THAT BMW HAD MANUFACTURED THE SUBFRAME MOUNTS INSUFFICIENT AND IT HAS RESULTED IN THOUSANDS OF CASES OF REAR ENDS FALLING OFF OF THE CARS AND IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS WITH WEAR AND TEAR. LUCKILY MY CAR BROKE RIGHT …
Owner-reported narrative. 158,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043405 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10422665 · 2011-08-30 (August 30, 2011)
OWNER OF A 1994 325IS. WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY DIED DOWN (SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR) ALMOST CAUSING THE VEHICLES BEHIND TO ALMOST CRASH INTO ME. IN ILLINOIS. CALLED THE NATIONAL BMW CUSTOMER CENTER AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE NO ACTIVE RECALL DESPITE NUMEROUS COMPLAINT OF INCIDENTS WITH THE TRANSMISSION OF 325 I IN THE CONSUMER REPORTS SITE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL KEPT AND MAINTAINED PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS, SOMEONE CAN GET KILLED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 135,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10422665 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026054 · 2003-07-14 (July 14, 2003)
PUCHASED WITH EMAIL AND VERBAL GUARANTEE NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR. HAVE VALID CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AGAINST SAME DEALER WITH MISREPRESENTATION OF VEH.(S) PURCHASED. 1: TCM LIGHT ON. VEH. WILL NOT SHIFT. OCCURRED 2ND DAY OF OWNERSHIP. DEALER DENIES. 2: LIGHTS WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL UPON ARRIVAL TO DEALER. HAD "DETAILER" REWIRE (4 HOURS). BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT STILL ON COMPUTER. 3: DEALER ORDERED AND PROMISED PASS. WINDOW MOTOR. REPLACED 2 RELAYS WHILE AT DEALER. DID NOT REPAIR. REFUSES TO SEND MOTOR FOR FUNCTIONAL WINDOW. WINDOW WILL NOT, AND DID NOT RO…
Owner-reported narrative. 92,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026054 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 717945 · 2000-01-27 (January 27, 2000)
BRAKE LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY! DISPLAY ON DASH READS"BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE". (ALSO, INTERMITTENTLY!) DEALER HAS INFORMED US THAT DEFECTIVE BRAKE SWITCH HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED. THEY WILL REPLACE SWITCH FOR $100.00. WOULD THIS BE A NORMAL FAILURE RATE ON A 6 YEAR OLD VEHICLE? *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 717945 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081226 · 2004-07-16 (July 16, 2004)
MY 1993 BMW 325IS HAS A FAILURE OF THE CHASSIS MOUNTING POINTS FOR THE REAR SUBFRAME OF THE CAR. THE CAR HAD BEEN FEELING FUNNY FOR WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS UNTIL ONE DAY THE CAR STARTED TO SHUDDER WHEN TAKING A TURN AND ACCELERATING OUT OF IT. FROM THAT DAY ON THE CAR FELT COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM MY STEERING INPUTS, IT WAS OBVIOUS SOMETHING WAS WRONG. HAD I NOT CAUGHT IT WHEN I DID, MORE THAN JUST FINANCIAL DAMAGE WOULD HAVE SURELY OCCURED; AFTER ALL, THESE ARE WHAT HOLD THE WHOLE REAR OF THE SUSPENSION AND DRIVE TRAIN THE THE CHASSIS. AFTER SHE…
Owner-reported narrative. 139,829 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081226 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1992 | 4 |
| 1993 | 3 |
| 1994 | 3 |
| 1995 | 2 |
1992: 4; 1993: 3; 1994: 3; 1995: 2