VehicleVerdict

1994 BMW 325 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 30 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.0 times the median 325 year — the 1994 model ranks #2 of 27 325 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (5), speed control (4), and engine (4), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

30

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1994 compare to other 325 years?

325 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1994 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, 1994 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 325 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1994 BMW 325 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags517%
Speed Control413%
Engine413%
Transmission310%
Body & Structure310%
Brakes27%
Seats27%
Suspension13%
Tires & Wheels13%
Visibility & Wipers13%
Electrical System13%
Lighting13%
Seat Belts13%
Steering13%

Does the 1994 BMW 325 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

94V151000Seat BeltsAugust 10, 1994 · 57,000 units

Defect

IN A FMVSS NO. 208 30 MILES-PER-HOUR COMPLIANCE TEST, AN UNBELTED TEST DRIVER DUMMY'S CHEST MAXIMUM RESULTANT ACCELERATION WAS 70.8 G'S, WHICH EXCEEDS THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE VALUE OF 60 G'S. ALSO, THE UNBELTED PASSENGER DUMMY'S LEFT FEMUR MAXIMUM LOAD WAS 2361 LBS, WHICH EXCEEDS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE VALUE OF 2250 LBS. THE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE OCCUPANT WILL BE SUBJECTED TO AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy

ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MODELS ONLY, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SUPPORT CROSSMEMBER WITH A CROSSMEMBER USED ON THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION MODEL. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION REAR BUSHING SUPPORTS WILL BE REPLACED WITH BUSHING HAVING DIFFERENT PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS. THE STEERING COLUMN FRONT SUPPORT BEARING AT THE FIREWALL WILL BE REPLACED WITH A MODIFIED PART USING A TEFLON INNER SURFACE AND TEFLON SPRAY WILL BE APPLIED TO THE COLUMN HOUSING IN THE AREA OF THE BEARING. A BRACE WILL BE ADDED BETWEEN THE KNEE BOLSTER SUPPORT AND THE STEERING COLUMN.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“VEHICLE TOOK OFF BY ITSELF AND THE AIRBAG'S DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT.VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. OWNER STATES THAT THERE IS A SAFETY NOTICE CAMPAIGN. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 30, 1997 · crash

“RECALL #98V-178.000/BMW/COOLANT SYSTEM: RADIATOR CAP MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THREE HOSES TO BLOW. ALSO, HEATER CONTROL VALVE FAILED AND CAUSED STEAM TO ENTER INTO VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. APPROXIMATELY A WEEK OR LESS LATER , A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED. NOTIFIED MANUFACTURER, AND WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 30, 1999

“VEHICLE TOOK OFF BY ITSELF AND THE AIRBAG'S DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT.VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. OWNER STATES THAT THERE IS A SAFETY NOTICE CAMPAIGN. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 30, 1997 · crash

“CAR LOST POWER DUE TO PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION. CAR HAS 120,000 MILES AND NEW TRANSMISSION WAS ALSO REQUIRED AT 55,000 IN 2000. BMW 3 SERIES TRANSMISSIONS SEEM TO BE DEFECTIVE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF TRANSMISSIONS SUDDENLY FAILING IN 3 SERIES. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 28, 2011

“ALL FOUR DOORS AND DRIVER SEAT RATTLE CONSTANTLY. AFTER NUMEROUS VISITS TO THE DEALER, THE BMW AREA REP FINALLY ORDERED THAT TAPE BE PLACED AROUND THE DOORS. THIS TOOK 4 YEARS TO ACHIEVE AND CURED THE DOOR RATTLES FOR ONE DAY, UPON WHICH THEY RETURNED. BY THE TIME THE AREA REP RETURNED, THE CAR WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 27, 1994

1994 BMW 325 — common questions

Is the 1994 BMW 325 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 30 complaints put the 1994 model at #2 of 27 325 years. It is one of the 325 years to avoid.

What are the most common 1994 325 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (5 complaints), speed control (4 complaints), engine (4 complaints).

Does the 1994 BMW 325 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1994 BMW 325. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.