MYRModel Year Report

2002 BMW 325I

● Typical for this model
2002 BMW 325I
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:52:12.395Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
162
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

33% of complaints

Complaints per year

1987: 5 complaints 1987 1988: 5 complaints 1989: 8 complaints 1990: 5 complaints 1990 1991: 4 complaints 1992: 41 complaints 1993: 21 complaints 1993 1994: 17 complaints 1995: 31 complaints 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 1 complaint 2001: 151 complaints 2002: 162 complaints 2002 162 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 147 complaints 2005: 71 complaints 2005 2006: 515 complaints 2007: 1 complaint 2008: 1 complaint 2008 2009: 0 complaints 2010: 0 complaints 2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 1 complaint
1987: 5 complaints 1987 1988: 5 complaints 1989: 8 complaints 1989 1990: 5 complaints 1991: 4 complaints 1991 1992: 41 complaints 1993: 21 complaints 1993 1994: 17 complaints 1995: 31 complaints 1995 1999: 0 complaints 2000: 1 complaint 2000 2001: 151 complaints 2002: 162 complaints 2002 162 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 147 complaints 2004 2005: 71 complaints 2006: 515 complaints 2006 2007: 1 complaint 2008: 1 complaint 2008 2009: 0 complaints 2010: 0 complaints 2010 2011: 1 complaint 2012: 1 complaint 2012
1987: 5 complaints 1987 1988: 5 complaints 1988 1989: 8 complaints 1989 1990: 5 complaints 1990 1991: 4 complaints 1991 1992: 41 complaints 1992 1993: 21 complaints 1993 1994: 17 complaints 1994 1995: 31 complaints 1995 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 1 complaint 2000 2001: 151 complaints 2001 2002: 162 complaints 2002 162 2003: 199 complaints 2003 2004: 147 complaints 2004 2005: 71 complaints 2005 2006: 515 complaints 2006 2007: 1 complaint 2007 2008: 1 complaint 2008 2009: 0 complaints 2009 2010: 0 complaints 2010 2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 1 complaint 2012

2002: 162 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19850
19860
19875
19885
19898
19905
19914
199241
199321
199417
199531
19990
20001
2001151
2002162
2003199
2004147
200571
2006515
20071
20081
20090
20100
20111
20121

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

33% · 53 reports

Most commonly citing side/window and frontal.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

On September 7, 2018 I lend my car to my son so he could run some school related errands he needed to attend to.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-03-24

On Wednesday, seotember 26 2018 - my car had been parked outside since Friday, sept 21. It had rained a great deal that weekend. At 1:00 in the afternoon, I went to get in the car and the windows were black from the inside.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-10-24

Also filed under Electrical system

Right front passenger sustained severe eye injury as a result of the deployment of the right front airbag in a crash. Passenger suffers partial blindness. Undergone several surgeries. Passenger was female and smaller in stature.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-02-02

Exterior lighting

31% · 50 reports

Most commonly citing brake lights and tail lights.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 BMW 325I. The contact stated that the rear driver's side brake light had become very dim. In addition, the brake light warning light illuminated on the instrument panel.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-11-09

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 BMW 325I. The contact stated that the light bulb socket and wiring melted.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-04

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 BMW 325I. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 11V438000 (Exterior lighting:brake lights).

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-15

Electrical system

13% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and module.

FIRE

Visibility

11% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing power window devices and controls and rearview mirrors/devices.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

On the BMW model 325I yeras 2002 and 2003 the heated outside rearview mirrors are heated. They are not thermostatically controlled and therefore are always on.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-09-27

Urgent - my 2002 325I's first sunroof glass exploded on me on 1/25/02. The replacement glass has two surface hairline cracks and two hairline cracks beneath the surface of the glass. This cannot be an isolated incident.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-02-13

Engine and engine cooling

6% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing cooling system and catalytic convertor.

FIRE

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    2002-03-15Suspension02V057000 On certain passenger vehicles, during the strut mount manufacturing process, the thrust bearing was not properly positions and secured. If the suspension is fully unloaded, the front strut could…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace both front spring strut upper mounts. Owner notification began March 15, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2007-04-02Service brakes, hydraulic07E023000 Certain cardone master cylinders with part numbers 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, and 11-3156, and with date codes lower than DCA7078…

    Remedy: Cardone will notify owners and offer to repurchase any defective master cylinders. The recall began during April 2007. Owners can contact cardone at 1-800-777-4780.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2009-04-08Defect petitionClosed 2009-08-06 Rear lamp illumination
  4. I
    2009-08-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-12-22 Rear lamp illumination
  5. I
    2009-12-18Engineering analysisClosed 2011-09-28 Rear Lamp Illumination
  6. R
    2012-02-15Exterior lighting11V438000 BMW is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325I, 325XI, 330I, and 330XI vehicles manufactured from September 1, 2001, through March 1, 2005. Over time, resistance in the electrical contacts may…

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on February 15, 2012. Owners may contact BMW customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2013-08-09Air bags13V172000 BMW is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans; 325Ci and 330Ci coupes and convertibles; 325iT and 325xiT Sports Wagons; and M3 coupes and convertibles to address a…

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW intends to issue initial notifications to owners informing them of the safety defect in June 2013. Once replacement…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2014-12-01Air bags14V428000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports...

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2016-08-19Air bags15V318000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i...

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2020-02-13Air bags20V018000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with...

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 BMW 325I — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 53 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 50 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 21 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V057000 · Suspension
  • Recall 07E023000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 11V438000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 13V172000 · Air bags
  • Recall 14V428000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V318000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V018000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 BMW 325I reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 BMW 325I is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 BMW 325I?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 BMW 325I have?
7 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.