BMW 325i Engine Problems

Engine complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Engine
  10
• Cooling system
  9
• Cooling system › Fan
  7
• Engine › Gasoline
  4
• Exhaust system
  3
• Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
  2
• Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)
  1
• Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
  1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1111%
• 25k–50k
  88%
• 50k–75k
  1818%
• 75k–100k
  2424%
• 100k–150k
  2626%
• 150k+
  1414%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 325I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, there was a significant amount of smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe and coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the PCV valve heater fuses had failed. The dealer charged a fee for the repair because the recall remedy was not available. The dealer installed an inline fuse and wiring that connected the PCV valve to the PCV valve heater. The contact stated that he received a second notice advising that the recall remedy was available, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the recall repair was performed. …

The contact owned a 2006 BMW 325i. The contact stated while driving 60-65 MPH, the A/C became inoperable and made an abnormally loud sound. The contact then noticed an abnormal burning wiring odor, and there was smoke coming out of the A/C vents. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she attempted to pull to the side of the road, but could not safely do so. The contact continued driving and came to a complete stop at the traffic light, where the cabin became engulfed in smoke. The contact then pulled into a business parking lot and immediately exited the vehicle. The contact stated upon opening the hood, the contact noticed a reflection of the flame inside the hood. The contact ran into the business and asked for assistance. …

Thur May 11, 2017 lower engine caught fire while driving on sunrise highway near exit 49. Vehicle began to shut down and got to the shoulder and got out and saw the smoke coming out of the engine. The fire flames were in the engine at bottom of car. A driver behind saw the fire beneath car and was trying to catch up with me to inform that flames at bottom of car . Fire was put out by the highway safety unit.

Total engine failure. Air bag lights illuminated. Air condition failure. Several electrical component failures. Incident occurred at idle speed at stoplight. Currently window system failure due to automobile accident. Window were slow to roll prior to the accident. Reported to BMW denied for warranty coverage. Rear side highway speed contact airbags failed to deploy resulting in medical injury on October 11th 2013. Window now inoperable BMW still fails to acknowledge any responsibility to design flaw.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 3251. The contact stated that while driving at various speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart. In addition, the contact noticed a strong abnormal odor from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the coil cylinder needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 325i. When the contact took the vehicle to be smogged, the contact was informed that fuel was leaking from the fuel tank. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325i. The contact stated that upon exiting the store, he observed fire emerging from the driver's side dashboard. The vehicle spontaneously combusted and was engulfed in flames. There was no warning light illuminated prior to the failure. The fire department was able to successfully extinguish the fire. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was still in the parking lot where the incident occurred. A police officer was on the scene, but no report was filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the automated system confirmed there was no recall coverage. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000.

On Tuesday June 20, 2023 at 7:20am I was awakened by my neighbor who informed me that my car was on fire. A report was done by the fire department and they did not believe it was done on purpose but something with my car. My car was totally consumed with fire nothing but ashes.

Related recalls (4)