2002 BMW 325I

● Typical for this model
2002 BMW 325I
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:20:59.915Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, BMW 325I Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1985: 0 complaints 1985 1986: 0 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1988: 5 complaints 1989: 8 complaints 1989 1990: 5 complaints 1991: 4 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1993: 21 complaints 1993 1994: 17 complaints 1995: 31 complaints 1999: 0 complaints 2000: 1 complaints 2000 2001: 151 complaints 2002: 162 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 147 complaints 2004 2005: 70 complaints 2006: 515 complaints 2007: 1 complaints 2008: 1 complaints 2008 2009: 0 complaints 2010: 0 complaints 2011: 1 complaints 2012: 1 complaints 2012
2002: 162 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19850
19860
19875
19885
19898
19905
19914
199240
199321
199417
199531
19990
20001
2001151
2002162
2003199
2004147
200570
2006515
20071
20081
20090
20100
20111
20121

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 28%

28% of complaints: air bags — 45 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20190324

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, 20181024

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 23%

23% of complaints: exterior lighting — 38 distinct reports on file.

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, 20121109

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, 20120515

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 16 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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, 20181024

VISIBILITY 7%

7% of complaints: visibility — 12 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 4%

4% of complaints: power train — 6 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20020315 — suspension

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 SEPA

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 NOT

Campaign 02V057000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070402 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 SOLD

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.

Campaign 07E023000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20090408 — DP (closed 20090806)

REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION

I 20090807 — PE (closed 20091222)

REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION

I 20091218 — EA (closed 20110928)

Rear Lamp Illumination

R 20120215 — exterior lighting

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 CA

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.

Campaign 11V438000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130809 — air bags

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 safe

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 p

Campaign 13V172000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20141201 — air bags

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.

Campaign 14V428000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160819 — air bags

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.

Campaign 15V318000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200213 — air bags

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.

Campaign 20V018000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 BMW 325I — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (45 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (38 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (16 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 02V057000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E023000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V438000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V172000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V428000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V318000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V018000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1995 ▲ 1992 ▲ 2005

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ◆ 2003 ● 2001

See all years ranked →

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 28% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 BMW 325I have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.