1992 BMW 325I Recalls, Complaints & Safety

I WAS DRIVING AT 70MPH ON I71 WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENABLED WHEN I FELT VIBRATIONS FOR APPROX. 20 SECONDS AND THEN MY RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. I HAD DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES UP TO THIS POINT AND I VERIFIED THAT TIRE TO BE 36 PSI AS RECENTLY AS THAT MORNING. THE TIRE HAS NO PUNCTURE DAMAGE AND THE BEAD IS STILL FULLY SET ON BOTH SIDES. THE TIRE SEPARATED BETWEEN THE SIDEWALL AND TIRE FACE. TIRE RACK REFUSED TO RESOLVE THE SITUATION IN A WAY THAT I WOULD NOT INCUR FURTHER OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS, AND THE TIRE MANUFACTURER ACTED CONFUSED AND FAILED TO COMPREHEND THE INFORMATION I WAS GIVING THEM. I ENDED UP FILING A VISA CHARGEBACK AGAINST TIRE RACK. I HAVE THIS SAME TIRE ON TWO CARS AND WE'VE SEEN THESE TIRES FAIL ON OUR OTHER VEHICLE BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS SIMPLY BAD LUCK. THIS TIME I'M ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT THIS TIRE FAILED DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE TIRE IS STILL CURRENTLY SET ON THE WHEEL AND HAS BEEN UNTOUCHED, AND IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. THE TIRE IN QUESTION IS A GENERAL ALTIMAX HP, IT'S NOT AVAILABLE IN THE NHTSA SYSTEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 BMW 325I. WHENEVER THE CONTACT LOCKS THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, HE IS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THEM FROM INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ONCE HE LOCKS THE DOORS, THE DOOR HANDLES AND LOCKS FAIL INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 200,000.

I LOCKED MY 1992 BMW 325I WITH THE KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH MY FRIEND INSIDE (I DID NOT REALIZE HE HAD NOT GOTTEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE YET). I HAD DROPPED THE KEY WHEN I HEARD HIM POUND ON THE WINDOW (LOOSING THE KEY IN SOME BRUSH). WHEN THIS SITUATION HAD TRANSPIRED I FOUND OUT THAT HE COULD NOT OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS FROM INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IN ANY MANNER. IF THIS WERE A SMALL CHILD AND LETS SAY A FORGETFUL GRANDPARENT THE CHILD WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IN ANY MANNER. (OR WITH THE WEIRD MOTHER DROWNING KIDS AND UNCLES LOCKING KIDS IN HIS BASEMENT THAT WE HEAR ABOUT ON THE NEWS) THIS CAR COULD BE USED AS A POTENTIAL PRISON. IF THIS WERE ANY PERSON(S) WHO ARE NOT VERY MUSCULAR THE CAR COULD POTENTIALLY BE A DEATH TRAP IF SOMEONE HAD NOT KNOWN THEY WERE INSIDE OF THE CAR. IN ADDITION, KNOWING THEY ARE INSIDE THE CAR AND CALLING A LOCKSMITH, THE LOCKSMITH IS NOT ABLE TO GET INSIDE OF THE CAR WITHOUT DOING SUPER EXCESSIVE DAMAGE TO THE LOCKS OR BREAKING A WINDOW. IN WHICH CASE BREAKING A WINDOW IN SUCH A SMALL SEDAN COULD AND IN MY CASE RESULTED FROM MY FRIEND ENDING UP WITH CHUCKS OF GLASS IN HIS SKIN AND I BROKE MY HAND GETTING THROUGH THE WINDOW BECAUSE WE WERE IN THE DESERT WITH NOTHING AROUND TO BE ABLE TO BREAK THE WINDOW. IF IT IS REQUIRED TO HAVE A TRUNK RELEASE INSIDE OF A TRUNK TO LET OCCUPANTS OUT. WHY CAN YOU BE LOCKED INSIDE OF YOUR OWN CAR? *TR

2 injured

THIS JUNE OF 2005 WHILE MY 92BMW325I WAS PARKED AT THE MALL, THE BACK PASSENGER TIRE I NOTICED BLEW UP. WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO PIT STOP TO HAVE THE TIRE VULCANIZED, THEY SAID THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING W/IT BUT BE REPLACED. I REPLACED IT AT SAM'S CLUB W/AP205/60R15H TOUR. I ASKED IF THE OTHER 3 TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED & THEY SAID "NO". LAST SUNDAY JUL 24 WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 26, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW UP & CAUSED A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE & FORTUNATELY SPARED ANY INJURY TO MY SON. I BOUGHT THESE 4 P205/60R15 OR 15-205/60-15GT COOPER COBRA TIRES FROM STROBEL TIRE CO. WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR OUR INSURANCE CO. TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. I READ ABOUT A LAWSUIT ABOUT COOPER TIRE SO I CALLED THE LAWFIRM HANDLING SUCH BUT THE PERSON I TALKED W/SAID THAT W/NO INJURY, IT WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO PURSUE A CASE SO SHE DIRECTED TO CALL 18883274236, HENCE THIS COMPLAINT.

WHILE ENTERING INTO THE VEHICLE THE DOOR FAILED TO OPENED. THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO OPEN PROPERLY. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTACT THE DEALER FOR APPOINTMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

1) MOUNTS FOR REAR SUBFRAME TO BODY NOT STRONG ENOUGH. THEY FLEX AND CRACK LEADING TO A CHAIN REACTION THEN THE REAR END RIPS OFF. 2)I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY TWO WAY ROAD. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CARS REAR END IS MOVING TO THE LEFT AND I LOST CONTROL FOR A LITTLE. LUCKILY DIDNT CRASH INTO ANOTHER CAR. THEN I REGAINED CONTROL AND DROVE BACK TO MY HOUSE WHICH WAS 1 STREET AWAY. 3) I HAD TO HAVE IT TOW TRUCKED TO A GARAGE WHERE THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE SHEET METAL PART WHERE THE WHOLE REAR END MOUNTS TO. DOCUMENTED AND COST ME OVER $2000.00 THIS IS NOT AN ISCOLATED INCIDENT CHECK OUT THIS FORUM: HTTP://BIMMER.ROADFLY.ORG/BMW/FORUMS/E36/FORUM.PHP BMW KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY MAKE REINFORCEMENT PLATES WHICH WE MUST BUY AND PAY FOR THE INSTALLATION.*AK

I OWN A 1992 BMW 325I, IVE ENCOUNTERED A PROBLEM, THE REAR SUB FRAME IS BREAKING APART FROM THE BODY OF THE CAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A EXPENSIVE PROBLEM THAT OCCURS TO MANY BMWS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON A CAR, THIS IS A DEFECT THAT BMW SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE. *AK

TOOK CAR THROUGH CAR WASH. CAR CAME OUT DEAD. TURNS OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHERE WATER GETS INTO THE MAIN ECM COMPUTER AND SHORTS IT OUT. THIS IS TERRIBLE. BMW SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS. $1100 FOR GOING THROUGH A SIMPLE CAR WASH. OWNERS SHOULD BE CAUTIONED. MR

HAVING PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S FRAME. MR

CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A CLUTCH PROBLEM IN WHICH THE DEALER REPLACED THE PRESSURE PLATE AND T BEARING, LATER, THE THROW OUT BEARING, FRICTION PLATE, YOLK ARM AND PIVOT PIN WERE REPLACED DUE TO CLUTCH VIBRATION, THE UNIVERSAL JOINT ALSO FAILED. *SLC

THE WATER PUMP LOCKED UP, THE FAN BLADE BROKE AND THE BELTS BURNED, DEALER REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, FAN AND BELTS, THE OIL PAN GASKET WAS REPLACED DUE TO AN OIL LEAK. *SLC

THE CENTER CARRIER BEARING WAS REPLACED, THE REAR TOP SHOCK MOUNTS WERE ALSO REPLACED DUE TO A REAR END NOISE. *SLC

THE BATTERY FAILED ON TWO OCCASIONS. *SLC

DEALER HAS REPLACED THE CLOSING/COMFORT RELAY, REGULATOR, WINDOW SWITCH AND OTHER FAULTY PARTS FOR THE POWER WINDOWS AND SUNROOF, THE RADIO ALSO FAILED. *SLC

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ATTACHED INCORRECTLY, THE GAS TANK TOP SEALS AND THE REAR GAS TANK SENDER WERE REPLACED DUE TO GAS FUMES AND THE MUFFLER WAS REPLACED. *SLC

FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, FRONT ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, ONCE DUE TO NOISE, BRAKE SENSORS HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED TWICE, REAR BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED ONCE. *SLC

STEERING LOCK BROKE, WHEN CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION CYLINDER ROTATED, HOWEVER NOTHING HAPPENED, THE ENTIRE DASH AND STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE TAKEN APART TO REPLACE THE STEERING LOCK. *SLC

THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND RESISTOR WERE REPLACED. *SLC

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A FIRE STARTED INSIDE OF VEHICLE. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FIRE MAY HAVE STARTED UNDER THE DASH.*AKAFTER FORENSIC STUDY, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS CUASED BY FUEL SEEPAGE AS A RESULT OF FUEL LINES HARDENING AND LEAKING. THERE IS A RECALL RELATED TO THE INCIDENT FOR BMW'S 525I AND OTHER MAKES. *JG

Fire

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A FIRE STARTED INSIDE OF VEHICLE. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FIRE MAY HAVE STARTED UNDER THE DASH.*AKAFTER FORENSIC STUDY, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS CUASED BY FUEL SEEPAGE AS A RESULT OF FUEL LINES HARDENING AND LEAKING. THERE IS A RECALL RELATED TO THE INCIDENT FOR BMW'S 525I AND OTHER MAKES. *JG

Fire

WHILE TRAVELING VEHICLE LOST POWER. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO BMW, TECHNICIAN STATED PLASTIC COVER TO RADIATOR HAD CRACKED, AND HAD LOST COOLEN. COST TO CONSUMER WAS OVER THANSAND DOLLERS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NOISE IN THE REAR OF CAR (SUBFRAME) KIND OF LIKE ITS OWN SQUEAK... NOT LIKE A DOOR SQUEAK, NOTHING ELSE MAKES THIS NOISE, SOUNDS REALLY BAD (SUBFRAME PROBLEM?)

THE RADIATOR CAP FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 98V-178, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS IS DUE TO IMPROPER RADIATOR DESIGN. NLM

I WAS LOSING COOLANT AND I COULD NOT FIND A LEAK OVER MORE THAN A YEAR. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM (AT UNITED BMW, DULUTH, GA) THE FOUND NO PROBLEM. ON THE HIGHWAY I NOTED THE WINDSHIELN VERY CLOWDY AND THE SMELL OF ETHYLENE GLYCOL COMING FROM THE HEATING DUCTS. SUDDENLY THIS BIG CLOUD OF WHITE MIST IN FRONT OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I PULLED OVER AND OPENED THE HOOD ONLY TO BE SPRAYED WITH THE REMNANTS OF THIS FLUID AS IT GOT ON THE FAN. I JUMPED BACK AND AVOIDED ANY INJURY. THE HOSE LEADING FROM THE TOP OF THE RADIATOR TO THE ENGINE BLOCK HAD FALLEN OFF! THAT SHOULD BE SIMPLE TO FIX! ON CLOSER INSPECTION, THE RADIATOR ATTACHMENTS HAD COMPLETELY FRACTURED OFF! THE FRACTURED PORTION WAS STUCK IN THE HOSE! AND THE REMNANT ON THE RADIATOR IS TOO SHORT TO SECURELY ANCHOR THE HOSE TO THE RADIATOR AFTER REMOVING THE BROKEN PART FROM INSIDE THE HOSE. HOWEVER, I USE IT THIS WAY AND KEEP A SUPPLY OF WATER IN THE CAB FOR SHORT TRIPS.THE FRACTURED RADIATOR WAS CHRONICALLY LEAKING AND OVER THE PAST SEVERAL WINTERS THERE WOULD BE A MIST ON MY WINDSHIELD THAT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET RID OF. WIPING WITH TISSUE WOULD LEAVE A STEAK MOST OF THE TIME! I NOTE THAT BMW HAS RECENTLY RECALLED THE RADIATOR CAP ON THIS VEHICLE. FROM THIS EXPERIENCE I SUBMIT TO YOU THAT HIGH PRESSURES DID NOT CAUSE THE HOSE TO RUPTURE BUT A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR THAT IS SUBJECT TO FRACTURE AT THE POINT OF HOSE CONNECTION RESULTING IN CHRONIC LEAKS PARTICULAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WORKING PREASURES LEADING TO MIST AND FROM THE COOLANT WITHIN THE VEHICLE AND POOR VISIBILITY. TURNING THE WINDCHIELD DEFOGGER ON DOES NOT CLEAR THIS PROBLEM BUT ADDS TO IT! BMW NEED TO RECALL THESE DEFECTIVE RADIATORS BECAUSE OF THE DANGER OF THIRD DEGREE BURNS AND DEATH AS WELL AS UNSAFE DRIVING FROM THE CONSTANT FOGGING OF THE WINDSHIELD. YOURS TRULY, [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

INDICATOR LIGHT FOR ELECTRONIC SHIFT CONTROL HAS FAILED WHEN WHEATHER GETS WET. *AK

WHILE AT A STOP ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AT A FRONTAL IMPACT IN WHICH DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND DID NOT PROTECT OCCUPANT IN THIS CRASH. NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH AIRBAG. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Crash

CAR OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH. EXACT MILES TRAVELED WHILE OVERHEATED UNKNOWN, BUT LESS THAN 10. SUBSEQUENT REPAIRS INDICATED FAILED WATER PUMP (PLASTIC IMPELLER CRACKED) WHICH CAUSED OVERHEATING AND DAMAGED HEAD GASKET. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE COOLANT SYSTEM PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION (93V-015). *MJS

FREQUENT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILURE, SHORT LIFE MUFFLER, COSTLY SERVICE REMIND LIGHT RESET W/ DEARLER ONLY. *AK

DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT IS LOOSE AND DOES NOT RETRACT BACK TO IT'S ORIGINAL POSITION. NLM

DME UNIT GOT WET FROM A NORMAL CAR WASH; BMW BULLETIN ITEM BUT NOT RECALL; DEALERSHIP DRILLED A HOLE IN THE BOX PER BMWS INSTRUCTIONS AND SAID THAT WOULD PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT 3 YEARS LATER; THE BULLETIN "FIX" WAS INSUFFICIENT. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS THE FAILED COMPUTER FLOODS THE ENGINE WITH GASOLINE CAUSES GAS TO OVERFLOW OUT THE DIPSTICK ALL OVER THE PLACE; MY RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY MANY PEOPLE AND IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT BMW SHOULD HAVE RECALLED AND MADE A REAL "FIX." IT COSTS OVER $1000 TO REPAIR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM CAUSED BY WEAR AND TEAR, THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT BMW SHOULD STEP UP TO. ELECTRONIC COMPUTER PARTS SHOULD BE IN A WATER TIGHT LOCATION WHERE REGULAR WATER FLOW CANNOT COMPROMISE THE COMPONENTS. THIS IS A DEFECT AND A SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

HEATER CORE IS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE INTO PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. MECHANIC SAYS THE HEATER CORE AND THE PLASTIC ASSEMBLY AROUND IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH WATER LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALLS WHILE DRIVING, DEALER NOTIFED AND REPAIRED THAT UNIT. AFTER TWO MONTHSAND TWO WEEKS, UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AT CONSUMER'S COST. DEALER REFUSED TO CORRECT PROBLEM. CAN NHTSA PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

WINDOWS FOGGED UP DUE TO DEFFOGER/DEFROSTER OPERATING IMPROPERLY AS A RESULT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK

RADIATOR CORD CRACKED, AND THE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO, WINDOWS FOGGED UP DUE TO DEFROSTER WORKING IN PROPERLY AS A RESULT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK

VEHICLE ENGINE COLLANT SYSTEM FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND STEERING TO BECOME ERRATIC WHEN THE WATER PUMP MALFUNCTIONED. NLM (98V-178)

WHILE TRAVELING ON I-5, I NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE WAS INCREASING TO DANGEROUS LEVELS. UPON RETURNING TO THE SAN FRANCISCO AREA, I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WATER PUMP HAD FAILED DUE TO THE BREAKAGE OF THE IMPELLER. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM IN THIS VINTAGE OF BMW SINCE THE MANUFACTURER HAD USED A PLASTIC IMPELLER IN THE WATER PUMP, RATHER THAN A METAL IMPELLER AS IS USUAL IN OTHER MODELS. THE MECHANIC RELATED THAT HE HAD PERFORMED ABOUT 25-30 IDENTICAL REPAIRS ON BMWS AND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ALWAYS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE PLASTIC IMPELLER. I HAVE HAD THE WATER PUMP REPLACED WITH ANOTHER PUMP WITH A METAL IMPELLER, BUT THE EVENT COST ME $458 IN REPAIRS AND APPROXIMATELY $265 FOR A RENTAL CAR FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP, AS WELL AS ABOUT $150 IN UNNECESSARY HOTEL BILLS. I PLAN TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER TO REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT OF THESE COSTS, AS I FEEL THAT THE USE OF A PLASTIC IMPELLER OVER A METAL ONE IS A DEFECTIVE AND NEGLIGENT DESIGN. I STILL HAVE THE OLD WATER PUMP AND THE PLASTIC IMPELLER IN MY POSSESSION.

COMPUTER BECAME FLOODED AFTER THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A CARWASH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL (98V-178) PRIOR TO NOTICE WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS. MJS

JACK WHEN INSTALLED IS NOT SAFE. IT CAN SLIP EASILY. I DO NOT USE IT ANYMORE. IT GOT BROKEN WHEN IT SLIP ON ME.*AK

ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT IS DEFECTIVELY INSTALLED. WATER FROM RAIN AND CARWASHING CAN EASILY GET INTO THE SAID UNIT BOX CAUSING CIRCUIT SHORTS TO THE SAID EQUIPMENT. EQUIPMENT IS $1,200.00 TO REPLACED. BMW DEALERS KNOW THE PROBLEM AND CAN EASILY MODIFY THE INSTALLATION TO PROTECT IT FROM WATER DAMAGE AND I WONDER WHY IT WAS NOT PART OF THEIR RECALL. I CALLED PARTS DEPT.'S PERSONNEL OF BMW DEALERS AND I FOUND OUT THIS KIND OF DAMAGE IS SO COMMON.

RECALL 98V178000 CONCERNING NEWLY DESIGNED RADIATOR CAP. A RECALL REPAIRSHAD NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES, OTER PARTS MALFUNCTIONED, INCLUDING WATER PUMP/THEROMAST/GASKET/O-RING, EVAPORATOR, ETC, FOR WHICH CONSUMER SHOULD GET REIMBURSTED BECAUSE IT WAS CAUSED BY THIS DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FELL APART.

WATER PUMP FAILED DUE TO THE OVERFLOW TANK SPLITTING.