1994 BMW 325IS
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 1994 BMW 325IS. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1994 BMW 325IS. 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
10 complaints1 involved a crash
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Structure › Body
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
- Power train › Automatic transmission
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…
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
- Suspension › Rear
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…
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 feel it IS time that BMW takes ownership of this problem in the USA. please help. this problem will worsen as these cars age and will eventaully cause fatalities. please contact me for more details - I can provide numerous photos form club members. thank you in advance. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6). *tr
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
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
- Electrical system · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
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
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
While driving engine overheated. vehicle had to be towed to dealer, and technician told consumer that was caused by the heating core.*ak
- Air bags
When the vehicle IS started, airbag light comes on and will not go off. Dealer has not seen vehicle. *ak
- Power train › Clutch assembly
The 1994 BMW 3 series has a clutch lining problem that will cause the car to buck and throw itself forward when stuck in stop and go traffic for any amount of time. although this IS called a minor incomvenience by BMW, it can cause a low impact accident if the clutch and dual mass fly wheel are not replaced.... $2000 later.
- Air bags
The airbag warning light comes on every time the vehicle IS started. Dealer has not seen vehicle. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
I am told that this IS an ongoing problem for 3 series bmws where the water backs up under the windshield and it gets into the electronic computer and shorts it out.
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.
- 50679Wind noise diagnostics.
Every BMW 325IS model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.