Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 BMW 325ci owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325CI. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 15V318000 (Air Bags) and 13V172000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall repairs were completed. The vehicle was retrieved from the dealer. The contact stated that upon retrieving the vehicle from the dealer, the contact's husband stated that while starting the vehicle, the instrument cluster failed to power on, and the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the instrument cluster was not working when the vehicle was brought to the dealer. The contact was informed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the parts were ordered. The vehicle was being repaired. In addition, the contact was not informed if the repair was covered by the dealer. …
I brought my 325ci into BMW Buena Park to have an airbag recall completed. There were no issues prior to dropping the car off at dealership but when the car was returned the airbag system light was on and was filled with error codes. I returned the car to the dealer and they cleared the codes but on my way home the dash light returned and faults were present after taking to 2 independent specialists. I returned to the dealer and spoke to service manager who said they would review and let me know their findings. They never responded and left me with a car that is now unsafe to drive. I believe this is the result of poor workmanship in addressing an NHTSA recall and has turned a potential safety concern into a real one. I have contacted BMW USA about this as well.
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 BMW 325ci. The contact called on behalf of the driver. While making a left turn, the contact's vehicle was involved in a head on collision. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver of the contact's vehicle sustained bruises, but did not require medical attention. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for the air bag failure. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
Takata recall hello, I'm at my BMW service center now (BMW of fairfax) to have service done on my car. I received notification of the Takata air bag recall and notified the service center as to when I can get my air bags fixed. They could not give me a definitive time line. I went to the service center today to have regular service done on my car and again they could not give me an exact time line. They said, "maybe a year but we're not sure." I also asked if BMW is still offering their car rental program until the issue is resolved but the service center said BMW is no longer offering this. I'm concerned that the service center does not want to perform the work as I'm sure this is at a major cost to them.
Just took my 2002 BMW in to replace defective airbags. BMW sterling, va wanted $1611.05 to replace airbag control unit/sid. Did not pay them... This should be looked into immediately... They are ripping people off. They replaced the airbags and you have a light on - so are they functional or not... They are ripping people off... [redacted] . '
Driving to work this morning, the passenger airbag above the door erupted. My vehicle was not hit by anything. I have no damage to the outside at all. I need to know how this airbag recall affects me, because it talks about in the event of a crash...and I wasn't in a wreck of any sort.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 BMW 325ci. While operating the vehicle, the air bag sensor light illuminated. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.
Out of the blue the airbag light came on. I became concerned and did not want to drive it- I didn't know why or what to do about it. The light stays on constantly and never goes out. I had an auto mechanic look at it but he had not knowledge of what it might be. I continued to drive the care and the light remained on. I wasn't driving it everyday so I was not worried very much. But I had read about a recall of some BMW's were having problems with their airbags and I thought that could be it. I am going to get to the bottom of this problem as that seems to be the only problem I have been experiencing with my car, hope this works out and it can be repaired as it is a safety issue and how would I know if the airbag will deploy if I should need it for protecting me and my family.
I got this recall last year...I called the dealership here in clear lake houston, and I was told they don't make the airbags for this recall... And he said call back ......well I have for 2 years not! Then I got a new letter saying that they where in stock and make an appointment so I callled the dealership again.........and again I was told they don't make these parts......im sorry but this doesn't make me feel very safe. I guess I just don't understand why they don't make these parts..its suppose to protect me
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325ci. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V318000 (air bags); however, the part needed to perform the repair was unavailable. There was no remedy. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available...updated 05/09/16
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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…
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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…
Remedy: 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.
Air bags
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…
Remedy: 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.
Airbag complaints in other 325ci years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2002 BMW 325ci?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 BMW 325ci, 77% of the model year's 30 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2002 BMW 325ci airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-018 (inflator module, Jan 15, 2020); NHTSA recall 15V-318 (inflator module, May 28, 2015); NHTSA recall 13V-172 (air bags, May 2, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 BMW 325ci airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 115,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.