2002 Bmw 325I: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10017509 · 2003-05-12 (May 12, 2003)
THE TIRE DEVELOPED A BUBBLE ON THE OUTER SIDE OF THE TREAD. THE CONSUMER HAS REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. MR SCC *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017509 at NHTSA ↗
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 10047443 · 2003-11-23 (November 23, 2003)
WATER LEAKS INTO THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, FLOODING THE CARPET UNDERNEATH THE FLOOR MAT. HAPPENS NEARLY EVERY TIME IT RAINS HEAVILY OR WHEN I WASH THE CAR. HAVE ALREADY TAKEN CAR BACK TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. THEY REPLACED THE LEFT REAR DOOR SEALS, BUT SAME WATER LEAKS CONTINUE TO HAPPEN. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047443 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051247 · 2003-12-29 (December 29, 2003)
IN LESS THAN TWO MONTHS TWO CONTINENTAL TIRES WERE DAMAGED BY NAILS. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPAIRABLE. THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP ACCOUNT MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT THE ROADS IN THE US ARE NOT AS CLEAN AS THEY ARE IN EUROPE AND LOW PROFILE TIRES ON LUXURY CARS WILL ALWAYS BE PRONE TO PUNCTURE OR RUPTURE BY SHARP OBJECTS. CONSUMERS NEED TO BE INFORMED OF THIS RISK BY THE "LUXURY" CAR DEALERS AND THE TIRE VENDORS. IN TERMS OF THE STATE OF THE ROADS IN THE US COMPARED TO EUROPE AND THE DEPRIS OF NAILS AND SHARP OBJECTS ON OUR ROADS, I THINK THI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10051247 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 10052812 · 2004-01-10 (January 10, 2004)
MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT BEGAN APPEARING IN NOVEMBER 2003. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN THE FIRST TIME AND GLOBAL IMPORTS IN ATLANTA GA INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. AGAIN, IN LATE DECEMBER 2003, THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. ON 1/6/2004, I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO GLOBAL IMPORTS. THEY INFORMED ME A VALVE WAS REPLACED AND I WAS ON MY WAY. TWO DAYS LATER ON 1/8/04, WHILE DRIVING DOWN GA 40 AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, MY VEHICLE SHUT DOWN ON ME. LITERALLY, THE WHEELS WOULD NOT TURN AS I STRUGGLED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. I SWERVED …
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052812 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 10056316 · 2004-02-02 (February 2, 2004)
RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED SEVERE EYE INJURY AS A RESULT OF THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG IN A CRASH. PASSENGER SUFFERS PARTIAL BLINDNESS. UNDERGONE SEVERAL SURGERIES. PASSENGER WAS FEMALE AND SMALLER IN STATURE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10056316 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V057000 · Suspension
Reported: 2002-02-19 (February 19, 2002)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE STRUT MOUNT MANUFACTURING PROCESS, THE THRUST BEARING WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONS AND SECURED. IF THE SUSPENSION IS FULLY UNLOADED, THE FRONT STRUT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE UPPER MOUNT.
Consequence: THIS COULD AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRING STRUT UPPER MOUNTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
NHTSA campaign record ↗11V438000 · Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
Reported: 2011-08-26 (August 26, 2011)
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 325I, 325XI, 330I, AND 330XI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2001, THROUGH MARCH 1, 2005. OVER TIME, RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY CAUSE ONE OR MORE REAR LAMP FUNCTIONS (TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND/OR TURN-SIGNAL), WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S BODY PANEL, TO STOP WORKING.
Consequence: INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗13V172000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2013-05-02 (May 2, 2013)
BMW is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans; 325Ci and 330Ci coupes and convertibles; 325iT and 325xiT Sports Wagons; and M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW intends to issue initial notifications to owners informing them of the safety defect in June 2013. Once replacement parts are available, estimated for July, BMW will notify owners again to contact their dealers and schedule a replacement of the passenger air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V428000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2018-06-11 (June 11, 2018)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V318000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2015-05-28 (May 28, 2015)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V018000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2020-01-15 (January 15, 2020)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗