KnownCarProblems2002 BMW 325xi Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 68 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 BMW 325xi, most often about the engine (27% of complaints, typically around 64,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about 325xi model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory4 recalls for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2002 BMW 325xi problems
Engine
18 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
Heard a high pitched noise when starting and driving the car. Took to dealership - technician said that he found that the alt belt tensioner pulley was faulty and also found deflector pulley defective. Replaced.
Coolant light went on while driving. Went to dealership - technician stated that coolant tank was empty. Performed pressure test and found expansion tank and upper radiator hose leaking. Replaced expansion tank and upper hose.
Electrical
15 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles.
(1) parked at a light. (2) light changed, I accelerated, the engine lost power, various dash warning lights came on, I nursed the car through the intersection, and pulled over. Turned the car off, restarted, dash warning lights came on again. After talking with the service department I reached the conclusion that the…
Battery was replaced a few weeks ago but it went dead again. Took that car back to the dealership. The dealership technician found an open circuit in alternator. Replaced alternator.
Air bags
13 complaints · 19%Parts named most often: frontal.
Airbag light has been on for the last 7 years. BMW pensacola and century BMW greenville, sc have been unable to fix this problem after many visits and $1000. In repair charges. BMW pensacola said they did not know what else to do and would not refund my charges. Century BMW wanted me to pay $775. To try to change a…
I was driving the car and my wife was a passenger in the front seat. Another car hit our car on the front driver side deploying both front airbags. I had back injuries and my wife lost vision in both her eyes. She is still not able to see even though she had several surgeries at mayo clinic in rochester, mn. Every…
Lights
10 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: tail lights, brake lights, turn signal.
The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325xi. The contact stated that none of the rear lights functioned. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the wiring harness was burned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the…
The tail lights electric connector module is dysfunctional. It is burned out on the passenger side. As a result, brake lights and turn indicator lights are not functional. This failure has previously happened on the driver side tail lights as well. The cause was similar. The ground cable and electric connector were…
Suspension
9 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles.
Noticed a lot of play in the steering. Took to the dealership and they technician said that the 2 rear springs were broken in half so replaced the rear springs. Also, the technician noticed that the front sway bars and links were worn and had play. Replaced also.
The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325xi. While driving approximately 45 MPH, a loud clanking noise emitted from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact continued driving and the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician detected that both rear coil springs were fractured. The vehicle…
Steering
7 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles.
Found leak on floor. Technician at dealership found that power steering line from pump to rack leaking fluid. Replaced power steering line from pump to rack. Filled and bled system.
I noticed a cracking sound coming from the right front wheel when making a left turn. Dealership technician noticed noise on right/front side. Checked the front end and found right/front sway bar mount is loose. Retightened right/front sway bar assembly and checked left/front sway bar. Retightened.
Wheels and tires
5 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 20,000 miles. Parts named most often: sidewall.
Problems with vehicle's tire equipment. The consumer has replaced four tires because of blowouts incurred when hitting potholes. (goodyear eagle rs-a, high performance tires).
Driving on interstate-95 in new york I felt a vibration start in the back of the car which grew very quickly. I pulled over to find the right rear tire flat. I found the tire had a slit in the side wall half way around the tire with a gap between the tread and the body core of the tire. It appears that the tread…
Transmission
4 complaints · 6%Noticed that when driving on curvy roads it feels like riding on a rough road patch or feels like braking. Dealership technician found defective torque converter and filter. No fault in memory. Removed and exchanged torque converter. Removed transmission oil pan and replaced transmission oil filter and oil and flushed…
The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325xi. The contact stated that while shifting from reverse to drive, there was a three second delayed response. The vehicle accelerated independently and the rpms began to increase. The failure recurred on four separate occasions only after the vehicle was stationary for a short period of…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 BMW 325xi recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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 non-desiccated frontal takata psan inflators and pspi passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (psan) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Fix: 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. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on december 1, 2014. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email bmw at [email protected].
Full defect summary
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 wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 m3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: this recall supersedes recall 14v-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: on december 17, 2015 bmw removed the model year 2004 x5 3.0i and 4.4i sports activit
Full defect summary
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 sedan, and 530i sedans, and 540i and 525i sportswagons, and 2003 x5 3.0i and 4.4i sports activity vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and x5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Fix: 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 parts are available, estimated for july, bmw will notify owners again to contact their dealers and schedule a replacement of the passenger air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email bmw at [email protected].
Full defect summary
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 safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Lights: turn signal
Risk: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions. This could cause a vehicle crash without warning.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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 cause one or more rear lamp functions (tail light, brake light, and/or turn-signal), within the vehicle's body panel, to stop working.
Brakes: rotor
Risk: If this happened, the wheel would continue to turn, but the disc would stop, and there would be no braking capacity at that wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace both rear brake rotors. Owner notification began march 25, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, a problem in the manufacturing process of the rear brake rotors may have resulted in the creation of a crack where the brake disc and the parking brake drum meet. Further cracking of the rotor could occur due to braking torque when the vehicle is driven and the brakes are applied. The brake drum, connected to the wheel hub, would completely separate from the disc.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Rear lamp illumination
Summary
In a letter submitted to the office of defects investigation (odi) dated august25, 2011, bmwindicated that it will conduct a voluntary recall campaign to remedy the subject vehicles.the issue involves the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel.through normal vehicle use over time, the rear lamps ground wiring and associated 8-pin connector can experience an increase of the resistance at the electrical contact points.this can lead to intermittent or permanent loss of the rear lamp functions which include tail, brake, and turn signal operation.the recall consists of modifying the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel by adding a secondary ground connection in parallel to the existing primary gr
Rear lamp illumination
Summary
Odi has received complaints from consumers stating that their tail light assembly is not properly illuminating.the tail light assembly consists of a turn signal lamp, a tail lamp and a brake lamp.the complainants have indicated that the issue is with an 8 pin connector and associated ground wiring.these components are allegedly overheating and melting due to excessive electrical current that runs through the system.bmw issued a technical service bulletin (tsb) sib-630306 on february 2007 to address the condition by adding supplementary ground wiring to the tail lamp assembly.odi is upgrading to an ea to further investigate the issue.
Rear lamp illumination
Summary
In march 2009, the office of defects investigation (odi) received a petition from mr. Mark peters requesting an investigation of rear lamp failure in model year 2002-2005 bmw 3-series vehicles.an information request letter was sent to bmw in april 2009, and odi received bmw's response in june 2009.the tail lamp assembly contains lighting for the brake lamps, tail lamps, and turn signals.a technical service bulletin (tsb) was issued by bmw in january of 2007 instructing service technicians to examine an 8 pin electrical connector for heat-related damage and to incorporate additional ground wiring to the connector.complainants have alleged that significant thermal damage to the connector and a
Questions about the 2002 BMW 325xi
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 BMW 325xi?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (18 complaints, typically around 64,000 miles); electrical (15 complaints, typically around 72,000 miles); air bags (13 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2002 BMW 325xi have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 15, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the BMW 325xi?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about 325xi model year since 2000, with 68 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.