1993 BMW 325I
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1993 BMW 325I. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1993 BMW 325I. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
The brake light switch can fail allowing the switch to remain in the "brake lights off" position or in the "brake lights on" position.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
21 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
TL* the contact owns a 1993 BMW 325I. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating, the antifreeze was leaking and the radiator fan was inoperable. In addition, the reservoir for the radiator was not mounted correctly. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where the contact was…
TL* the contact owns a 1993 BMW 325I. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating, the antifreeze was leaking and the radiator fan was inoperable. In addition, the reservoir for the radiator was not mounted correctly. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where the contact was awaiting diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who stated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 155,000.
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
Tl*the contact owns a 1993 BMW 325I. the contact stated that the air conditioning system stopped working and the temperature would not maintain accurate temperatures. later, the heating unit failed as well. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, but repairs were not made because the failures were…
Tl*the contact owns a 1993 BMW 325I. the contact stated that the air conditioning system stopped working and the temperature would not maintain accurate temperatures. later, the heating unit failed as well. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, but repairs were not made because the failures were outside of the warranty and there were no recalls. the contact located a recall, but was unsure if her vin was included because she never received a notification. the nhtsa campaign ID number was unknown. the failure and current mileages were unknown.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
The seals on top of the fuel tank leaked gas. the dealer has been contacted. *nm the consumer was told that this would only happen if the sending unit seals are defective. *sc the dealer found that a hose and sending unit seals were leaking fuel on top of the tank *jb
- Structure › Frame and members
The subframe cracked under normal driving condition. the crack IS located on the subframe where the rear control arm attached. I m afriad that the rear axle may fall off the vehicle during driving. I have found other owner complaint about this on the E36 design. this IS a weaknes on the…
The subframe cracked under normal driving condition. the crack IS located on the subframe where the rear control arm attached. I m afriad that the rear axle may fall off the vehicle during driving. I have found other owner complaint about this on the E36 design. this IS a weaknes on the surframe that casues it to fail in fatigue. I am a metallurgical engineer and have visually inspected the crack. it did not shown any corrosion, thus indiciating that it IS not a environmental induce failure. this problrem IS a manufacture problem in an inadequately desgined component. a subframe IS a structure component and should fail uder normal operating conditions.the estimate to fix this problem IS over $4000.00. ihave contacted BMW customer relation, the representative has denied the problem and refused to let me tall to her supervisor. I believe this IS safety related issue and hope that nhtsa can assist the car owners to resolve this issue.*ak
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Headlights: headlights on light trucks and suv's are too high. This causes car drivers to be blinded, so they may not be able to see where to drive. a secondary effect IS to cause road rage, with consequences ranging from none to murder. fmvss shoud be changed to limit the height of headlights.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
Recall 98v178000; vehicle has been repaired six times for engine cooling thermostat. Please provide further information.*ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Drivers seatbelt will not retract always and the seatbelt with be loose and unsafe.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
Consumer contacted dealer for recall 98v178000 repairs. dealership remedied vehicle as stated in recall, but consumer was experiencing the same problem. Please provide further details.*ak
- Equipment › Mechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift
Jack lug wrench that comes equipped with vehicle will bend and break, causing vehicle to collapse. Consumer only had used jack ones.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
Consumer said check coolant light cam on at 37,901 miles. took vehicle to dealer, and dealer replaced water pump housing/ coolant level sensor, and thermostat. car was sitting for about a year before problem came back at 88,253 miles, consumer took car back to dealer because coolant light was…
Consumer said check coolant light cam on at 37,901 miles. took vehicle to dealer, and dealer replaced water pump housing/ coolant level sensor, and thermostat. car was sitting for about a year before problem came back at 88,253 miles, consumer took car back to dealer because coolant light was coming on. dlr replaced radiator, thermostat and water pump. in 1998, received a recall on radiator cap. Took to dealer and they replaced the cap. *ak
- Vehicle speed control › Linkages
Cruise control cable failed. *mjs
- Vehicle speed control › Linkages
Cruise control cable failed. *Et
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
Vehicle experienced an electrical short after coming out of a car wash. Water got into the computer system. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that repairs would be at consumer cost of approximately $900 or more. An additional $200 or more would be charged to insure that the problem would not reoccur. Provide further details. *ak
- Equipment · Fuel system, gasoline · Steering
Steering locks up intermittenly in the start position, windows and sunroof inoperative, gas intermittenly gives incorrect reading of fuel
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
The vehicle would not start when water from rain or car wash fills up in the drain where computer processor IS placed. Yh
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
The vehicle would not start when water from rain or car wash fills up in the drain where computer processor IS placed. Yh
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
Vehicle would not start after car wash due to water contamination/clogging of the ecm. Mjs
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
Recall 98v178000; dealer replaced radiator cap for the recall. However, heater core still leaks coolant, causing smell and fogging up of the windows which could cause visual difficulty, and result in a crash. owner IS also concerned that the coolant could spill into passenger compartment front foot area. Manufacturer IS not willing to replace the heater core. *ak *ML
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights
Brake light comes but there IS no problem with brake lights. prior to this, brake bulbs shorted out, but they were replaced. however, this problem still exists. please provide further information and vin#. *ak
- Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
Vehicle's sun roof entire assembly came off while driving at 70 mph. dealer contacted and unaware of the problem. No warranty, and cannot remedy the problem, second problem after prior repair work done two brackets stripped from the sun roof. *ak
- Exterior lighting › Turn signal
Blinker on the right side of the car stays on at all times it has drained battery several times where she had to leave her car. Dealer said it was not important
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.
- 50897Recall 96v111 - this recall campaign involves the brake light switch.
- 50679Wind noise diagnostics.
Every BMW 325I model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.