MYRModel Year Report

1986 BMW 325

○ Not enough data
1986 BMW 325
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:52:04.411Z

Only 9 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 9 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
9

Too few to rank

Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1986

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1984: 3 complaints 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 9 complaints 1986 9 1987: 15 complaints 1988: 7 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1990: 6 complaints 1991: 6 complaints 1992: 23 complaints 1992 1993: 8 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1995: 23 complaints 1996: 4 complaints 1996 1997: 1 complaint 1998: 4 complaints 1999: 2 complaints 2000: 0 complaints 2000 2001: 31 complaints 2002: 26 complaints 2003: 9 complaints 2006: 8 complaints 2006 2007: 0 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 0 complaints 2010: 0 complaints 2010 2011: 0 complaints 2012: 0 complaints
1984: 3 complaints 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 9 complaints 1986 9 1987: 15 complaints 1988: 7 complaints 1988 1989: 11 complaints 1990: 6 complaints 1990 1991: 6 complaints 1992: 23 complaints 1992 1993: 8 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 23 complaints 1996: 4 complaints 1996 1997: 1 complaint 1998: 4 complaints 1998 1999: 2 complaints 2000: 0 complaints 2000 2001: 31 complaints 2002: 26 complaints 2002 2003: 9 complaints 2006: 8 complaints 2006 2007: 0 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2008 2009: 0 complaints 2010: 0 complaints 2010 2011: 0 complaints 2012: 0 complaints 2012
1984: 3 complaints 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 9 complaints 1986 9 1987: 15 complaints 1988: 7 complaints 1988 1989: 11 complaints 1990: 6 complaints 1990 1991: 6 complaints 1992: 23 complaints 1992 1993: 8 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 23 complaints 1996: 4 complaints 1996 1997: 1 complaint 1998: 4 complaints 1998 1999: 2 complaints 2000: 0 complaints 2000 2001: 31 complaints 2002: 26 complaints 2002 2003: 9 complaints 2006: 8 complaints 2006 2007: 0 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2008 2009: 0 complaints 2010: 0 complaints 2010 2011: 0 complaints 2012: 0 complaints 2012

1986: 9 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19843
19851
19869
198715
19887
198911
19906
19916
199223
19938
199425
199523
19964
19971
19984
19992
20000
200131
200226
20039
20068
20070
20081
20090
20100
20110
20120

Known problem areas

Only 9 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Visibility

3 of 9 total reports mention: visibility, most commonly citing heater core and defroster/defogger/hvac system.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Recall 93V015 heater:defroster:defogger; hot fluid entered compartment and burnt drivers lower leg. Please describe details. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-05-11

Consumer states that dealership stated that they don't know if they can do consumers recall for free. Mr

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-16

Equipment

2 of 9 total reports mention: equipment, most commonly citing accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift and air conditioner.

Engine and engine cooling

2 of 9 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing engine.

Show complaint excerpts

Car has overheated since 2000. I have called the dealership several times and they keep telling me there is no recall for my 86 BMW 325 but I just looked up recalls and saw were overheating was a problem for this year model car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2007-06-22

Service brakes

1 of 9 total reports mentions: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Seat belts

1 of 9 total reports mentions: seat belts, most commonly citing retractor.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Daughter driving, passengers/driver had on seat belts, clear/sunny day, another car tailgating fast. Started slowing to make lane change, car skidded, brakes locked up, car rolled 6 times, car upside down, driver thrown to passenger's side roof.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-01-23

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1987-02-19Steering86V138000 The two parts of the steering column disengagement element could completely disconnect if the car contacts an object in the roadway or elsewhere of sufficient mass to apply a…

    Remedy: Bolt two specially formed plates to the disengagement element so that steering capability will be retained.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1987-03-20Exterior lighting86V151000 Brake light switch could overheat, eventually leading to melting of plastic internal parts in area of electrical contacts.

    Remedy: Replace brake light switch with revised switch with increased electrical load capacity.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1989-07-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-10-12 Brakes drag & fail
  4. I
    1989-10-12Engineering analysisClosed 1990-10-30 Mstr cyl fails to release
  5. I
    1992-03-03Defect petitionClosed 1992-06-02 Defective heater cores
  6. I
    1992-06-02Engineering analysisClosed 1993-03-30 Heater core failure
  7. R
    1993-06-04Visibility93V015000 The malfunction or failure of a coolant system component results in significantly increased coolant temperature and a resulting increase in system pressure.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1986 BMW 325 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Visibility: 3 reports on file for this year.
  • Equipment: 2 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 2 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 86V138000 · Steering
  • Recall 86V151000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 93V015000 · Visibility
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 1986 BMW 325 reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1986 BMW 325?
The most-reported component is visibility, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1986 BMW 325 have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.