2002 BMW 325I recalls
Air Bags · NHTSA 20V018000 · Jan 15, 2020
Do not drive – the manufacturer advises owners not to drive these vehicles until repaired.
Problem: 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…
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.
292,948 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Air Bags · NHTSA 14V428000 · Jun 11, 2018
Do not drive – the manufacturer advises owners not to drive these vehicles until repaired.
Problem: 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…
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…
574,007 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Air Bags · NHTSA 15V318000 · May 28, 2015
Do not drive – the manufacturer advises owners not to drive these vehicles until repaired.
Problem: 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…
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…
419,235 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Air Bags · NHTSA 13V172000 · May 2, 2013
Do not drive – the manufacturer advises owners not to drive these vehicles until repaired.
Problem: 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.
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…
43,204 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Problem: 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.
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.
241,000 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Problem: 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 as replacement equipment for use on the vehicles listed above. The seal on master cylinder can fail and leak brake fluid.
Risk: Loss of brake fluid can result in poor braking performance, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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.
13,128 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Suspension · NHTSA 02V057000 · Feb 19, 2002
Problem: 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 separate from the upper mount.
Risk: This could affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
4,672 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Latest owner complaints
Engine · Nov 17, 2025 · 168,000 miles · CA · fire
The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325i. The contact stated that upon exiting the store, he observed fire emerging from the driver's side dashboard. The vehicle spontaneously combusted and was engulfed in flames. There was no warning light illuminated prior to the failure. The fire department was able to successfully extinguish the fire. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was…
Electrical System · Jul 7, 2023 · NC · fire
On Tuesday June 20, 2023 at 7:20am I was awakened by my neighbor who informed me that my car was on fire. A report was done by the fire department and they did not believe it was done on purpose but something with my car. My car was totally consumed with fire nothing but ashes.
Engine · Jul 7, 2023 · NC · fire
On Tuesday June 20, 2023 at 7:20am I was awakened by my neighbor who informed me that my car was on fire. A report was done by the fire department and they did not believe it was done on purpose but something with my car. My car was totally consumed with fire nothing but ashes.
Structure · Jul 7, 2023 · NC · fire
On Tuesday June 20, 2023 at 7:20am I was awakened by my neighbor who informed me that my car was on fire. A report was done by the fire department and they did not believe it was done on purpose but something with my car. My car was totally consumed with fire nothing but ashes.
Air Bags · Jan 13, 2022 · CA
I got a notice in the mail for an airbag recall. I called the number (877-225-0472) in early December. I was told to call Fremont BMW (510-360-5902) The first question they asked was: Did you buy your vehicle from us? I told them that the car is not currently registered. They told me to schedule a tow on my mobile phone. I don't have a mobile phone. The notice said that some…
Air Bags · Dec 22, 2020 · 161,000 miles · CA
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325I. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V018000 (air bags) however, shortly after the recall repair was performed, the air bags warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to BMW of ontario (1350 auto center dr, ontario, ca 91761; (909) 402-3052) and the dealer was made aware of the failure. The…
Air Bags · Feb 24, 2020 · PA
I have made several appointments with swickley pa dealership to fix the problem with no success. They never show up or call to cancel .they set up 3 rental car delivery days never came. I've been dealing with this problem for about a year now. I've even said don't worry about rental jus to hurry and get done and they still don't come. I've called off for this several times and…
Engine · Nov 5, 2019 · 120,000 miles · CA
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 BMW 325I. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly shut off. After restarting the engine, the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer and an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Electrical System · Nov 5, 2019 · 120,000 miles · CA
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 BMW 325I. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly shut off. After restarting the engine, the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer and an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Air Bags · Jul 27, 2019 · NJ
Airbag light still on in dash even after driver side airbag was replaced by dealer, during recall.
Exterior Lighting · May 9, 2019 · 80,000 miles · CA
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 BMW 325I. The contact stated that the tail lights failed to function. The tail light warning light illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Air Bags · Mar 24, 2019 · 130,000 miles · WA · crash · 1 injured
On september 7, 2018 I lend my car to my son so he could run some school related errands he needed to attend to. That day he had also taken my daughter with him as they were going to have lunch after he had finished all of the errands he had to do for that day. Around 3:10 p.m. My son got into an accident which had caused both front airbags to deploy. Soon after the accident a…
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2002 BMW 325I have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls covering the 2002 BMW 325I, the most recent one (20V018000) for air bags. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 BMW 325I?
Based on 162 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are air bags (53), exterior lighting (50), electrical system (21).
Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 2002 BMW 325I?
Owners reported 7 crashes, 19 fires, 7 injuries and 1 death in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2002 BMW 325I?
NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations that include this vehicle, most recently EA09019: Rear Lamp Illumination.