2002 BMW 325 recalls and problems

The 2002 BMW 325 has 2 safety recalls and 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer.

Urgent: recall 19V-698, recall 17V-047 carry a "do not drive" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.
Recalls
2
Complaints
26
Crashes / fires
1 / 1
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2002 BMW 325 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2002 BMW 325 recalls

Recall 19V-698: Air Bags

Do not driveReported Oct 2, 2019 · 3,924 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp 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 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.

Recall 17V-047: Air Bags

Do not driveReported Jan 20, 2017 · 230,117 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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.

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 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.

2002 BMW 325 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Electrical System6
Air Bags6
Visibility3
Latches/Locks/Linkages3
Steering2
Tires2
Exterior Lighting2
Power Train1
Equipment1
Engine and Engine Cooling1
Suspension1
Engine1

Most reported parts

  • Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls — 2
  • Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar — 1
  • Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 1
  • Electrical System › Wiring — 1
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 1
  • Equipment › Mechanical › Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift — 1
  • Tires › Sidewall — 1
  • Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 55,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2002 BMW 325 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Electrical System · at 10,000 miles · reported Apr 30, 2017
Can not unlock car in any way. The relays in the gm5 module which give power to the actuators become weak and can not open car. Car can not be opened with car key as key hole is also electronic. In the end I cant get inside the car.
Seat Belts · at 112,000 miles · reported Feb 1, 2016
While vehicle was in motion on a straight highway, the passenger in the right rear seat leaned forward, extending the shoulder seat belt from its retractor. The right rear seat belt failed to retract when the passenger sat upright and will not retract now that the vehicle is parked on level ground.
Air Bags · reported Dec 24, 2015
Takata recall. My complaint concerns the delay in parts availability to fix driver's side airbag. This is taking way to long and AM worried as to possibility of injury, or worse, if involve in an accident. In my opinion "lack of parts" is taking way too long .nothing has happened yet.
Visibility · at 55,000 miles · reported Dec 12, 2014
Third window regulator broke on my 2002 bmw 325 - three different windows. I finally got sick of it and called bmw north america and they refuse to do anything about it. The windows go down & you can't get them back up. I did an internet search and easily found tons more complaints. Obviously this is a defective part that bmw should be forced to make good on - it needs to be recalled and anyone who already paid to fix it should be reimbursed. Cheap rotten parts. Here's one example of what I saw when I searched on the internet -. Http://repairpal.com/rear-window-regulator-455 and here is…
Air Bags · at 140,000 miles · reported Dec 2, 2014
The contact owns a 2002 bmw 325. While the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the contact discovered that the driver side air bag deployed and evidence of a fire was present. The contact indicated that the dashboard was melted and burn marks were present throughout the cabin of the vehicle. The front windshield was shattered and the ceiling panel was burned and hanging down. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Other BMW 325 years

Compare all BMW 325 years · All BMW models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 BMW 325 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2002 BMW 325: 19V-698 (air bags), 17V-047 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 BMW 325?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (6 reports), followed by air bags (6). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 55,000 miles.

Are BMW recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized BMW dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.