1987 Bmw 325: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
82,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 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 4 of 10 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 20.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 1 |
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core: 4; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 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 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 9 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 | 1 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
1995: 1; 1996: 3; 2000: 4; 2001: 1; 2003: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10042844 · 2003-10-14 (October 14, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING OIL LIGHT CAME ON AFTER BEING SERVICED 5 DAYS AGO. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE BACK TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MECHANIC CHECK ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR PROBLEMS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10042844 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 508198 · 1996-08-26 (August 26, 1996)
FUSE BOX CAUGHT ON FIRE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 508198 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 508309 · 1996-09-04 (September 4, 1996)
WIRING HARNESS UNDER HOOD SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 508309 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 557323 · 2000-11-15 (November 15, 2000)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION DUE TO FAILURE OF THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE, ON ONE OCCASION THE SURGE OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE WENT ONTO A CURB WHICH DAMAGED THE OIL PAN, CONSUMER FEELS THE DEALER SHOULD REIMBURSE HER FOR THE REPAIRS. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 557323 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 866175 · 2000-07-27 (July 27, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING WINDOW GOT FOGGY AND COOLANT WAS LEAKING ON FRONT SEAT FLOOR. TECHNICIAN EXPLAINED THAT CLAMPS WERE TOO TIGHT, FORCING THE COOLANT TO OVERFLOW JUST LIKE STATED IN RECALL 93V015000. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 866175 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 868610 · 2000-08-24 (August 24, 2000)
COSNUMER RECEIVED RECALL 93V015000 IN EARLY JUNE. CONSUMER CONTACTED UNION PARK BMW LOCATED IN WILMINGTON DELAWARE, TELE#[phone removed], AND WAS TOLD PARTS WERE ON ORDER, BUT DOES NOT KNOW WHEN PARTS WILL COME IN. CONSUMER HAS BEEN WAITING FOR OVER 2 MONTHS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 868610 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 869063 · 2000-08-29 (August 29, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. HOSE BLEW OFF COOLANT RESERVOIR. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND HOSE WAS REATTACHED. *AK RECALL (93V-015) WORK DONE ON THE COOLANT SYSTEM, AFTER THE RECALL WAS DONE THE VEHICLE RUNNING HOTTER THAN BEFORE. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 869063 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 896970 · 2001-09-27 (September 27, 2001)
VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER 93V015000. COOLANT LEAKING INTO VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE DUE TO A CRACK IN HEATER CORE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 896970 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗