1987 BMW 325
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1987 BMW 325. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1987 BMW 325. Newest first.
The malfunction or failure of a coolant system component results in significantly increased coolant temperature and a resulting increase in system pressure.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Brake light switch could overheat, eventually leading to melting of plastic internal parts in area of electrical contacts.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
15 complaints5 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
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
- Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
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
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Cosnumer received recall 93v015000 in early june. Consumer contacted union park BMW located in wilmington delaware, tele#302-658-7245, 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
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Driving at 55 mph, all instruments reading normal, heard a "bang" , lost all engine power and brakes,power steering. Was not timing belt because when downshifting to arrest vehicle tachometer was working. Car would not restart in neutral while coasting, nor would it "pop" start. coasted to a stop…
Driving at 55 mph, all instruments reading normal, heard a "bang" , lost all engine power and brakes,power steering. Was not timing belt because when downshifting to arrest vehicle tachometer was working. Car would not restart in neutral while coasting, nor would it "pop" start. coasted to a stop using emergency brake. When stopped, noticed flames from under hood. Left vehicle and watched it burn to oblivion. Cause of fire unknown at this time, insurance won't investigate because there was not any coverage for fire.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
Able to smell the gas fume, especially when the engine IS running. The fuel leakage may be related to the type of gasoline additive (ntbe?) in the california,
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While driving engine caught on fire, spreading to the exhaust . manufacturer has not been notified. *ak
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Electrical system › Ignition › Switch · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control · Equipment › Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc. · Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch · Power train › Automatic transmission · Power train › Driveline › Differential unit · Seats · Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler · Service brakes, hydraulic › Brake fluid low warning › Lamp · Structure › Body · Unknown or other · Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Transmission doesn't shift properly.
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
When air conditioner or heater IS turned on, vehicle looses power/hesitates.
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Wiring harness under hood shorted, causing fire.
- Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
Fuse box caught on fire.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Parked vehicle and five minutes later fire started followed by an explosion. Please describe details. *ak
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
Heater core recall repairs refused due to vehicle being imported and manufactorer has no record of vin (93v-015). *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Heater core failure
There is no summary currently available
- Mstr cyl fails to release
There is no summary currently available
- Brakes drag & fail
Summary:the brakes reportedly began to drag and lock withoutwarning during highway driving on 4 vehicles.the cause IS notknown at this time.===
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10249437The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Every BMW 325 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.