VehicleVerdict

1992 BMW 325 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 25 complaints on file for the 1992 BMW 325 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

25

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1992 compare to other 325 years?

325 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1992 highlighted38 complaints1984: 5 complaints1985: 1 complaints1986: 11 complaints1987: 30 complaints1988: 9 complaints1989: 13 complaints1990: 10 complaints1991: 6 complaints1992: 25 complaints1993: 13 complaints1994: 30 complaints1995: 29 complaints1996: 5 complaints1997: 1 complaints1998: 4 complaints1999: 3 complaints2000: 0 complaints2001: 38 complaints2002: 30 complaints2003: 11 complaints2006: 13 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 1 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 0 complaints
325 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1992 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 325 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1992 BMW 325 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags416%
Visibility & Wipers312%
Engine312%
Transmission312%
Fuel System28%
Seats28%
Electrical System28%
Brakes28%
Body & Structure14%
Lighting14%
Suspension14%
Steering14%

Does the 1992 BMW 325 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

94V066000Fuel SystemApril 11, 1994 · 116,300 units

Defect

FEED FUEL HOSES CAN HARDEN AND "SET" OVER TIME, ALLOWING A SEEPAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING. THE CLAMP USED TO HOLD THE HOSE TO THE FITTING IS UNABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE HARDENING OF THE FEED FUEL HOSE.

Consequence

FUEL SEEPAGE BETWEEN THE FEED FUEL HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING CAN RESULT IN FREE FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy

A REDESIGNED FEED FUEL HOSE AND HOSE CLAMP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ALLEVIATE THE FUEL SEEPAGE.

93V015000Visibility & WipersFebruary 1, 1993 · 375,000 units

Defect

THE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND A RESULTING INCREASE IN SYSTEM PRESSURE.

Consequence

VEHICLES OPERATED UNDER THIS INCREASED COOLING SYSTEMPRESSURE CONDITION CAN SUFFER DAMAGE OR FAILURE OF PARTS OF THE COOLING SYSTEMSUCH AS (1) LEAKAGE FROM A COOLANT HOSE, (2) LEAKAGE OF THE RADIATOR OREXPANSION TANK, (3) DISCONNECTION OF A HOSE FROM A PIPE OR A FITTING, AND (4)CRACKS IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAKAGE. IN SOME CASES,BOILING COOLANT CAN CONTACT THE LOWER RIGHT LEG OF THE DRIVER RESULTING INBURNS. ALSO, ESCAPING COOLANT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE VAPORFOGGING OF THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE WINDOWS, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A THERMOSTATIC BYPASS VALVE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO CONTROL COOLANT TEMPERATURE IN THE HEATER CORE. ALSO, A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP WILL BE INSTALLED, TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.

92V055000SeatsApril 14, 1992 · 22,416 units

Defect

THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 208. THE DRIVER'S CHEST RESULTANT ACCELERATION EXCEEDED THE ALLOWABLE 60 G'S IN A CRASH TEST WHEN THE SEAT HEIGHT CHANGES ADJUSTMENT UNDER SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT.

Consequence

THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE FACES INCREASED RISK OF INJURYIN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Remedy

INSTALL A DAMPER ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT CUSHION, BETWEEN THE CUSHION FRAME AND THE SEAT TRACK. IN A SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT THE DAMPER WILL HYDRAULICALLY LOCK, PREVENTING A CHANGE IN SEAT HEIGHT.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHEN SHIFTING GEARS FRONT WILL MAKE A CRACKLING NOISE. *AK CONSUMER STATES ENTIRE BACK END SUSPENSION (STRUTS LEFT AND RIGHT) HOLDING THE REAR WHEELS, TRANSMISSION DIFFERENTIALS TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE IS SEPARATING FROM THE FRAME, DEALER HAS BEEN INFORMED, HOWEVER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 18, 2001

“CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL NUMBER 98V178000, CONSUMER NOTED THERE WAS NO DEALER WITHIN A 500 MILE RADIUS. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT SEND ANOTHER DEALER PARTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · July 19, 1999

“WAS PULLING FROM STOP LIGHT, HAD APPLIED BRAKES SUDDENLY AND BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED & BROKE DRIVER'S ARM. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. PLASTIC HOUSING OF CRUISE CONTROL CABLE HAD BROKEN. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 3, 1998 · crash

1992 BMW 325 — common questions

Is the 1992 BMW 325 reliable?

The record is thin — 25 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1992 325 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (4 complaints), transmission (3 complaints), engine (3 complaints).

Does the 1992 BMW 325 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1992 BMW 325. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1992 BMW 325 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which BMW 325 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 325 years to avoid are 2001, 1987, 1994, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2011, 2007, 2009, 2010. The cleanest record among 325 years belongs to 2000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.