1988 Bmw 325I: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
161,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 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 is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 5 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light | 1 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 1 |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Power Train: 1; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light: 1; Structure:Body:Door: 1; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core: 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 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 3 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 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2004: 1; 2006: 1; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Braking behavior 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10098484 · 2004-11-08 (November 8, 2004)
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 1988 BMW 325IS IN THE RAIN, AND LOST CONTROL. SHE WAS HIT IN A SIDE IMPACT BY A LATE MODEL CHEVROLET CAMARO TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE HIT WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND MY WIFE'S PASSENGER WERE SEVERELY INJURED. I BELIEVE THAT THE BMW'S DOOR DESIGN IS DEFECTIVE, AS THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY OBLITERATED. THE DOOR DID NOT CRUMPLE, BUT INSTEAD FOLDED INWARD AND UPWARD, FILLING UP THE ENTIRE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. PLEASE SEE PICTURES AT: HTTP://WWW.SNOWRABBIT.ORG/325IS_ACCIDENT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 187,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10098484 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10153401 · 2006-03-22 (March 22, 2006)
MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT JUST CAME ON ONE DAY, THEN I STARTED FEELING AND HEARING LIKE A THUMP OR BOUNCE IN THE RIGHT PASSENGER TIRE/WHEEL. HAD TIRE CHECKED NOTHING WRONG , NO PROBLEM WITH BRAKES ? *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10153401 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10256575 · 2009-01-28 (January 28, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A GASKET FAILED IN THE VEHICLE. THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED AND CAUSED THE SYSTEM PRESSURE TO INCREASE, WHICH CAUSED THE GASKET TO BURST. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 93V015000 (VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:HEATER CORE), BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE GASKET. INSTEAD, THEY WILL INSTALL A REVISE RADIATOR CAP AND A BYPASS VALVE AT THE COST OF $1,000-$1,500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WILL NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE WITH H…
Owner-reported narrative. 135,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10256575 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 726353 · 2000-08-01 (August 1, 2000)
NO SUMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 726353 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 747449 · 2001-06-27 (June 27, 2001)
I HAVE TRIED TO SETTLE WITH THE DEALER, BUT HE HAS REFUSED. I HAVE PROOF OF THE ODOMETER FRAUD AND SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE CAR, I HAVE SPENT $1300 IN REPAIRS PLUS $1700 IN ATTORNEY'S FEES. I'M AT A LOSS AS TO HOW TO FURTHER PROCEED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 747449 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.