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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1995–2012

BMW 325 recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 109 owner complaints for the BMW 325, covering model years 1995 to 2012. The 2001 model year drew the most complaints (31), and Air Bags is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your BMW 325 VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 3 recall campaigns on file
  • 109 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 16 model years with data (1995–2012)
  • most complaints: 2001 (31 for that model year)
  • top component: Air Bags (28 complaints)
  • latest recall 19V698000 (reported Oct 2, 2019)
  • 8 complaints reporting a crash (7.3%)
  • 6 complaints reporting a fire (5.5%)
  • 6 complaints reporting an injury (5.5%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

BMW 325 complaints by model year

10 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2001 model year has the most complaints: 31 of 109, or 28.4%. Next come 2002 (26) and 1995 (23). The fewest are for 2008, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
BMW 325 owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1995–2008Column chart of 109 complaints across 14 model years. The highest is 2001 with 31. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1995: 23 complaints2319951996: 4 complaints419961997: 1 complaint119971998: 4 complaints419981999: 2 complaints219992000: 0 complaints20002001: 31 complaints3120012002: 26 complaints2620022003: 9 complaints920032004: 0 complaints20042005: 0 complaints20052006: 8 complaints820062007: 0 complaints20072008: 1 complaint12008
BMW 325 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
BMW 325 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
1995235020
199640000
199710000
199840000
199920000
2001312520
2002261110
200390010
200680000
200810000
All model years1098660

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported BMW 325 components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Air Bags is the component named most often, in 28 complaints (25.7% of all 109), followed by Electrical System (16) and Engine and Engine Cooling (16).

Components named most often in BMW 325 complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in BMW 325 complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Air Bags2825.7%
Electrical System1614.7%
Engine and Engine Cooling1614.7%
Power Train65.5%
Engine54.6%
Latches/Locks/Linkages54.6%
Seat Belts54.6%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic54.6%
Steering54.6%
Structure54.6%
Exterior Lighting43.7%
Fuel System, Gasoline43.7%
Unknown or Other43.7%
Vehicle Speed Control43.7%
Visibility43.7%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

BMW 325 recalls

3 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name 325, newest first. The 3 campaigns cover model years 2000 to 2012. The 2000, 2001 and 2002 model years appear in the most campaigns (2 each).

  • 3 recall campaigns
  • 2 “Do Not Drive” advisories
BMW 325 recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2000: 2 campaigns2001: 2 campaigns2002: 2 campaigns2003: no campaigns2004: no campaigns2005: no campaigns2006: 1 campaign2007: 1 campaign2008: 1 campaign2009: 1 campaign
2010: 1 campaign2011: 1 campaign2012: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model years with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 19V698000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module

    Model years 2000–2002

    NHTSA “Do Not Drive” advisory: affected vehicles should not be driven until the recall repair is done.

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 325i and 325xi Sedan, and 323Ci, 325Ci, and 330Ci Convertible vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles that may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. The frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Consequence:
    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
    Remedy:
    Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of previous recalls, numbers 17V-047 and 19V-015.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 17V047000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module

    Model years 2000–2002

    NHTSA “Do Not Drive” advisory: affected vehicles should not be driven until the recall repair is done.

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 BMW 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323Ci, 325Ci, 330Ci, M3, 323iT, 325iT and 325xiT vehicles, 2001-2002 525i, 530i, 540i, M5, 525iT and 540iT vehicles, and 2001-2003 X5 3.0i, X5 4.4i, and X5 4.6is vehicles. These vehicles may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. These replacement modules contain an air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 16V071000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module

    Model years 2006–2012

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

BMW 325 questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the BMW 325 have?

NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recall campaigns for the BMW 325, covering model years 1995 to 2012. The most recent, 19V698000, was reported on October 2, 2019 and is filed under “Air bags”. The 2000, 2001 and 2002 model years are covered by the most campaigns (2 each).

Which BMW 325 model year has the most complaints?

The 2001 model year, with 31 of the 109 complaints in NHTSA’s file (28.4%). The next are 2002 (26) and 1995 (23). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common BMW 325 complaint?

Air Bags is the component named most often: 28 complaints, or 25.7% of all 109. Electrical System (16) and Engine and Engine Cooling (16) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my BMW 325?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a BMW dealer.

How many BMW 325 complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 109 complaints, 8 report a crash, 6 a fire, 6 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other BMW models

8 models · most complaints first

The BMW models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the BMW VIN decoder with every BMW model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • BMW X5 1999–2026 · 103 recalls · 3,138 complaints
  • BMW 328i 1996–2016 · 27 recalls · 2,576 complaints
  • BMW X3 2004–2026 · 60 recalls · 1,989 complaints
  • BMW 325i 1995–2012 · 20 recalls · 1,281 complaints
  • BMW Z4 2002–2023 · 28 recalls · 1,280 complaints
  • BMW 3 Series 1995–2023 · 8 recalls · 841 complaints
  • BMW 528i 1997–2016 · 14 recalls · 831 complaints
  • BMW 330i 1999–2026 · 38 recalls · 813 complaints

All BMW models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.