1986 BMW 325

3 recalls, 11 complaints - 2 TSBs

93V015000 Feb 1, 1993
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
Defect Description
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 ... Read more
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.
375,000 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
86V151000 Nov 10, 1986
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Defect Description
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH COULD OVERHEAT, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO MELTING OF PLASTIC INTERNAL PARTS IN AREA OF ELECTRICAL CONTACTS.
Consequence
CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SWITCH PLUNGER COULD JAM, RENDERING BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER INOPERATIVE OR CONTINUOUSLY ILLIMINATED, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL OPERATION.
Remedy
REPLACE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH REVISED SWITCH WITH INCREASED ELECTRICAL LOAD CAPACITY.
97,300 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
86V138000 Oct 20, 1986
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
Defect Description
THE TWO PARTS OF THE STEERING COLUMN DISENGAGEMENT ELEMENT COULD COMPLETELY DISCONNECT IF THE CAR CONTACTS AN OBJECT IN THE ROADWAY OR ELSEWHERE OF SUFFICIENT MASS TO APPLY A SIGNIFICANT FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE STEERING GEARBOX. ... Read more
Remedy
BOLT TWO SPECIALLY FORMED PLATES TO THE DISENGAGEMENT ELEMENT SO THAT STEERING CAPABILITY WILL BE RETAINED.
120,261 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Complaint Statistics

11 total complaints 2 crashes 5 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE2
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER1
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR1
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
ENGINE1
ENGINE Jul 19, 2017
Incident date: Jun 1, 2017
MY 1986 325ES BMW OVER HEAT. CHANGE THE FLUIDS, PERFORM SEVERAL CHECKS AND IT IS STILL OVER HEATING. HAS THERE BEEN ANY RECALL ON THE HEATING OR COOLING SYSTEM.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Jun 22, 2007
Incident date: Jun 1, 2007
CAR HAS OVERHEATED SINCE 2000. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY 86 BMW 325 BUT I JUST LOOKED UP RECALLS AND SAW WERE OVERHEATING WAS A PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR MODEL CAR. *TR
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH Apr 26, 2006
Incident date: Apr 10, 2006
DEFECT IN ELECTRONIC LOCKING DEVICE. UNABLE TO OPEN PASSENGER DOORS (FRONT AND BACK), EITHER MANUALLY (FROM INSIDE) OR WITH KEY (FROM OUTSIDE). HAVE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE PARTS REPAIRED OR REPLACED. *JB
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE Oct 16, 2002
Incident date: Oct 16, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY DON'T KNOW IF THEY CAN DO CONSUMERS RECALL FOR FREE. MR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Aug 23, 2000
CONSTANT HEATING PROBLEM, ON AND OFF AT TIMES, ENGINE GOT HOT AND ROD STARTED KNOCKING NHTSA ID # 93V01500,# 86V151000. . *AK
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT Jun 2, 1997
Incident date: Jul 28, 1990
VEHICLE WAS JACKED UP AT LEFT FRONT JACK POINT ON PERFECTLY FLAT CONCRETE FLOOR, IT ROLLED REARWARD, JACK FOOTING SLIPPED AND VEHICLE FELL ON VICTIM.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS Jan 23, 1997
Incident date: Dec 22, 1996
DAUGHTER DRIVING, PASSENGERS/DRIVER HAD ON SEAT BELTS, CLEAR/SUNNY DAY, ANOTHER CAR TAILGATING FAST. STARTED SLOWING TO MAKE LANE CHANGE, CAR SKIDDED, BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAR ROLLED 6 TIMES, CAR UPSIDE DOWN, DRIVER THROWN TO PASSENGER'S SIDE ROOF. SEATBELT DID NOT HOLD. *AK
Crash 2 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Jan 23, 1997
Incident date: Dec 22, 1996
DAUGHTER DRIVING, PASSENGERS/DRIVER HAD ON SEAT BELTS, CLEAR/SUNNY DAY, ANOTHER CAR TAILGATING FAST. STARTED SLOWING TO MAKE LANE CHANGE, CAR SKIDDED, BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAR ROLLED 6 TIMES, CAR UPSIDE DOWN, DRIVER THROWN TO PASSENGER'S SIDE ROOF. SEATBELT DID NOT HOLD. *AK
Crash 2 injured
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE May 11, 1995
Incident date: Apr 24, 1995
RECALL 93V015 HEATER:DEFROSTER:DEFOGGER; HOT FLUID ENTERED COMPARTMENT AND BURNT DRIVERS LOWER LEG. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
1 injured
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER Apr 20, 1995
Incident date: Jan 8, 1995
AIR CONDITIONING IS NOT POWERFUL ENOUGH. *SKD
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM Apr 20, 1995
Incident date: Jan 8, 1995
HEATER IS NOT POWERFUL ENOUGH.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1986 BMW 325

2 manufacturer communications from 1 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS1
B510819 Jan 16, 2024
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B510819 Jan 16, 2024
133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

NHTSA Safety Investigations, BMW 325

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

DP92004 Opened: Mar 3, 1992 , Closed: Jun 2, 1992
DP, Closed , Model Year: 1986
DEFECTIVE HEATER CORES
DEFECTIVE HEATER CORES
EA90002 Opened: Oct 12, 1989 , Closed: Oct 30, 1990
EA, Closed , Model Year: 1985
MSTR CYL FAILS TO RELEASE
There is no summary currently available
PE89142 Opened: Jul 14, 1989 , Closed: Oct 12, 1989
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1985
BRAKES DRAG & FAIL
SUMMARY:THE BRAKES REPORTEDLY BEGAN TO DRAG AND LOCK WITHOUTWARNING DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING ON 4 VEHICLES.THE CAUSE IS NOTKNOWN AT THIS TIME.===
PE88086 Opened: Aug 2, 1988 , Closed: Dec 23, 1988
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1985
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE
There is no summary currently available

BMW 325 - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the BMW 325 across all model years (1984, 2012).

37 Total Recalls
294 Total Complaints
4 Investigations
33 Reported Crashes
19 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

BMW 325 - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2012 1 0 View
2011 1 0 View
2010 1 0 View
2009 1 0 View
2008 1 1 View
2007 1 0 View
2006 1 13 View
2003 0 11 View
2002 2 30 View
2001 2 38 View
2000 2 0 View
1999 0 3 View
1998 0 4 View
1997 0 1 View
1996 0 5 View
1995 0 29 View
1994 1 30 View
1993 3 13 View
1992 3 25 View
1991 3 6 View
1990 2 10 View
1989 2 13 View
1988 2 9 View
1987 2 30 View
1986 (current) 3 11
1985 2 1 View
1984 1 5 View

Other BMW Models

Model Recalls Complaints
X5 223 4,349 View
X3 155 2,661 View
330I 122 1,050 View
X6 110 293 View
328I 108 3,743 View
M3 95 550 View
Z4 83 1,439 View
325I 83 1,809 View