1994 Bmw 325IS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
203,907 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 6 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 16.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
| Suspension:Rear | 1 |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Structure:Body: 1; Suspension:Rear: 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). 4 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 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2011: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting 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 10094352 · 2004-09-27 (September 27, 2004)
LTR RE A DEFECTIVE HOOD LATCH ON A 1994 BMW 325IS, REQUESTING A DEFECT INVESTIGATION. WHILE DRIVING, THE HOOD LATCH DISENGAGED AND CAUSE THE HOOD TO OPEN. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10094352 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120052 · 2005-05-06 (May 6, 2005)
I AM A MEMBER OF THE BMWCCA AND A BMW AUTOMTIVE ENTHUSIAST. I HAVE NOTICE FOR MANY YEARS THE OCCURANNCE OF A COMMON FAILURE IN E36 AND E46 BODY STYLES - FOR ALL YEARS OF PRODUCTION. THE REAR SUBFRAME IS ATTACHED AT FOUR MOUNTING LOCATIONS TO THE UNIBODY. THE UNIBODY IS NOT REINFORCED AT THE ATTACHMENT POINTS. FAILURES HAVE OCCURED WHERE THE UNIBODY SHEET METAL CRACKS AND IN MANY CASES THE REAR SUBFRAME IS RIPPED FROM THE CAR. IN GERMANY, BMW HAS RECOGNIZED THIS PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED A RECALL TO REINFORCE THE SUBFRAME ATTACHMENT POINTS. I…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10120052 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 11021665 · 2017-09-05 (September 5, 2017)
OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES ON BOTH DOORS BECAME INOPERABLEWITHIN A MONTH OF EACH OTHER ALSO TRUNK LATCH BROKE DUE TO THE WAY IT IS ATTATCHED TO TRUNK LID IE TWO SCREWS THRU SHEET METAL, SHEET METAL BROKE AROUND BOTH SCREWS
Owner-reported narrative. 272,814 miles reported. Look up ODI 11021665 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 865261 · 2000-07-11 (July 11, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE OVERHEATED. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER, AND TECHNICIAN TOLD CONSUMER THAT WAS CAUSED BY THE HEATING CORE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 865261 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 893434 · 2001-08-06 (August 6, 2001)
AFTER TAKING VEHICLE THROUGH A CARWASH ENGINE HYDROLOCKED AND CAUSED FUEL TO INJECT INTO ENGINE. DEALER SAID ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED.*AK CONSUMER STATES DME SHORTED OUT CAUSING IT TO HYDROLOCK AND CAUSING ENGINE AND FUEL COMPONENTS TO BE DAMAGED INTERNALLY. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 893434 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.
96V111000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 1996-07-01 (July 1, 1996)
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ON, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION. FOLLOWING DRIVERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STOPPING, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V131000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1997-08-19 (August 19, 1997)
THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V178000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
Reported: 1998-08-04 (August 4, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.
Consequence: IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
NHTSA campaign record ↗