1986 Bmw 325: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
300,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 7 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 1 |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 1 |
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core: 2; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 1; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System: 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 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 2 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
1995: 2; 2000: 1; 2002: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core leads the component reports. 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10156139 · 2006-04-26 (April 26, 2006)
DEFECT IN ELECTRONIC LOCKING DEVICE. UNABLE TO OPEN PASSENGER DOORS (FRONT AND BACK), EITHER MANUALLY (FROM INSIDE) OR WITH KEY (FROM OUTSIDE). HAVE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE PARTS REPAIRED OR REPLACED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10156139 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10193975 · 2007-06-22 (June 22, 2007)
CAR HAS OVERHEATED SINCE 2000. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY 86 BMW 325 BUT I JUST LOOKED UP RECALLS AND SAW WERE OVERHEATING WAS A PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR MODEL CAR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10193975 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11006294 · 2017-07-19 (July 19, 2017)
MY 1986 325ES BMW OVER HEAT. CHANGE THE FLUIDS, PERFORM SEVERAL CHECKS AND IT IS STILL OVER HEATING. HAS THERE BEEN ANY RECALL ON THE HEATING OR COOLING SYSTEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 300,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11006294 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482280 · 1995-01-08 (January 8, 1995)
HEATER IS NOT POWERFUL ENOUGH.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482280 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 725281 · 2000-07-11 (July 11, 2000)
CONSTANT HEATING PROBLEM, ON AND OFF AT TIMES, ENGINE GOT HOT AND ROD STARTED KNOCKING NHTSA ID # 93V01500,# 86V151000. . *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 725281 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8020942 · 2002-10-16 (October 16, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES THAT DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY DON'T KNOW IF THEY CAN DO CONSUMERS RECALL FOR FREE. MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8020942 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 965140 · 1995-05-11 (May 11, 1995)
RECALL 93V015 HEATER:DEFROSTER:DEFOGGER; HOT FLUID ENTERED COMPARTMENT AND BURNT DRIVERS LOWER LEG. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 965140 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
86V138000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Reported: 1986-10-20 (October 20, 1986)
THE TWO PARTS OF THE STEERING COLUMN DISENGAGEMENT ELEMENT COULD COMPLETELY DISCONNECT IF THE CAR CONTACTS AN OBJECT IN THE ROADWAY OR ELSEWHERE OF SUFFICIENT MASS TO APPLY A SIGNIFICANT FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE STEERING GEARBOX. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE LOST.
Remedy: BOLT TWO SPECIALLY FORMED PLATES TO THE DISENGAGEMENT ELEMENT SO THAT STEERING CAPABILITY WILL BE RETAINED.
NHTSA campaign record ↗86V151000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 1986-11-10 (November 10, 1986)
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH COULD OVERHEAT, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO MELTING OF PLASTIC INTERNAL PARTS IN AREA OF ELECTRICAL CONTACTS.
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SWITCH PLUNGER COULD JAM, RENDERING BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER INOPERATIVE OR CONTINUOUSLY ILLIMINATED, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL OPERATION.
Remedy: REPLACE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH REVISED SWITCH WITH INCREASED ELECTRICAL LOAD CAPACITY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗93V015000 · Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core
Reported: 1993-02-01 (February 1, 1993)
THE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND A RESULTING INCREASE IN SYSTEM PRESSURE.
Consequence: VEHICLES OPERATED UNDER THIS INCREASED COOLING SYSTEMPRESSURE CONDITION CAN SUFFER DAMAGE OR FAILURE OF PARTS OF THE COOLING SYSTEMSUCH AS (1) LEAKAGE FROM A COOLANT HOSE, (2) LEAKAGE OF THE RADIATOR OREXPANSION TANK, (3) DISCONNECTION OF A HOSE FROM A PIPE OR A FITTING, AND (4)CRACKS IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAKAGE. IN SOME CASES,BOILING COOLANT CAN CONTACT THE LOWER RIGHT LEG OF THE DRIVER RESULTING INBURNS. ALSO, ESCAPING COOLANT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE VAPORFOGGING OF THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE WINDOWS, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A THERMOSTATIC BYPASS VALVE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO CONTROL COOLANT TEMPERATURE IN THE HEATER CORE. ALSO, A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP WILL BE INSTALLED, TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
NHTSA campaign record ↗