Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 8 | −87% | 1 | Engine | Good |
| 2003 | 9 | −87% | — | Airbag | Good |
| 2002 | 26 | 7.5× | 2 | Electrical | Caution |
| 2001 | 31 | 12.0× | 2 | Engine | Caution |
| 2000 | 0 | −87% | 2 | — | Good |
| 1995 | 23 | 12.0× | — | Airbag | Caution |
* Complaints compared with the median 325 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common BMW 325 problems
Latest BMW 325 recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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…
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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…
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.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the BMW 325 should you avoid?
1995, 2001 and 2002 — these years have the most complaints relative to other 325 years at the same age, led by air bags problems in the 1995.
What is the best year for the BMW 325?
2000 has the fewest complaints compared with other 325 years at the same age, followed by 2003 and 2006. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common BMW 325 problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (27), engine & cooling (21) and electrical system (15). Airbag complaints peak in the 1995 model year.
How many recalls has the BMW 325 had?
3 recalls across 1995–2006. The model year with the most is 2000. See all BMW 325 recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.