1993 BMW 325IS
3 recalls, 27 complaints - 3 TSBs
98V178000 Aug 4, 1998
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Defect Description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY T... Read more
Consequence
IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
97V131000 Aug 19, 1997
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Defect Description
THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEP... Read more
Consequence
THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.
96V111000 Jul 1, 1996
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Defect Description
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.
Consequence
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ON, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION. FOLLOWING DRIVERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STOPPING, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
Complaint Statistics
27 total complaints
1 crashes 3 injuries
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 5 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER | 1 |
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
Jan 6, 2006
Incident date: Jun 18, 2004
I OWN A 1993 325IS WHICH HAS A TEAR IN THE SUBFRAME WHERE THE SUSPENSION COMPONENT MEET. CAR WAS NOT MODIFIED IN ANYWAY. I JUST NOTICED THIS LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL OR REAR AREA. TOOK THE CAR INTO MY MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS TORN APART. LUCKY IT DIDN'T COME OU... Read more
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS:SWITCH
Mar 2, 2005
Incident date: Mar 1, 2005
I HAVE A 1993 325IS BMW. AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS. ON RAINY DAYS I CAN HEAR WATER IN THE FLOOR BOARDS. THE DOOR PANELS ARE BOTH COMING UNGLUDED AND BUBBLING. MY DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT HITS THE GAS PETAL. THE CHECK COOLANT LIGHT ON MY COMPUTER IS ALWAYS ON, THE THE COOLANT IS LOW EVEN AFTER ... Read more
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
Mar 2, 2005
Incident date: Mar 1, 2005
I HAVE A 1993 325IS BMW. AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS. ON RAINY DAYS I CAN HEAR WATER IN THE FLOOR BOARDS. THE DOOR PANELS ARE BOTH COMING UNGLUDED AND BUBBLING. MY DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT HITS THE GAS PETAL. THE CHECK COOLANT LIGHT ON MY COMPUTER IS ALWAYS ON, THE THE COOLANT IS LOW EVEN AFTER ... Read more
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Mar 2, 2005
Incident date: Mar 1, 2005
I HAVE A 1993 325IS BMW. AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS. ON RAINY DAYS I CAN HEAR WATER IN THE FLOOR BOARDS. THE DOOR PANELS ARE BOTH COMING UNGLUDED AND BUBBLING. MY DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT HITS THE GAS PETAL. THE CHECK COOLANT LIGHT ON MY COMPUTER IS ALWAYS ON, THE THE COOLANT IS LOW EVEN AFTER ... Read more
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Mar 2, 2005
Incident date: Mar 1, 2005
I HAVE A 1993 325IS BMW. AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS. ON RAINY DAYS I CAN HEAR WATER IN THE FLOOR BOARDS. THE DOOR PANELS ARE BOTH COMING UNGLUDED AND BUBBLING. MY DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT HITS THE GAS PETAL. THE CHECK COOLANT LIGHT ON MY COMPUTER IS ALWAYS ON, THE THE COOLANT IS LOW EVEN AFTER ... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Mar 2, 2005
Incident date: Mar 1, 2005
I HAVE A 1993 325IS BMW. AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS. ON RAINY DAYS I CAN HEAR WATER IN THE FLOOR BOARDS. THE DOOR PANELS ARE BOTH COMING UNGLUDED AND BUBBLING. MY DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT HITS THE GAS PETAL. THE CHECK COOLANT LIGHT ON MY COMPUTER IS ALWAYS ON, THE THE COOLANT IS LOW EVEN AFTER ... Read more
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Oct 18, 2004
Incident date: Oct 18, 2004
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONSUMER NOTICED A LIQUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND FUEL PUMP NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
STRUCTURE
Jul 19, 2004
Incident date: Jul 15, 2004
THE REAR SUBFRAME MOUNT POINTS HAVE RIPPED IN AT LEAST ONE PLACE FROM THE UNIBODY RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THE CAR. I CAUGHT IT EARLY SO NO INJURY HAS RESULTED. THIS IS A COMMON (UNACCEPTABLE) PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS (BMW E36). *JB
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
Jul 16, 2004
Incident date: Nov 24, 2003
MY 1993 BMW 325IS HAS A FAILURE OF THE CHASSIS MOUNTING POINTS FOR THE REAR SUBFRAME OF THE CAR. THE CAR HAD BEEN FEELING FUNNY FOR WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS UNTIL ONE DAY THE CAR STARTED TO SHUDDER WHEN TAKING A TURN AND ACCELERATING OUT OF IT. FROM THAT DAY ON THE CAR FELT COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM MY ... Read more
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
Jul 14, 2003
Incident date: Jul 3, 2003
PUCHASED WITH EMAIL AND VERBAL GUARANTEE NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR. HAVE VALID CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AGAINST SAME DEALER WITH MISREPRESENTATION OF VEH.(S) PURCHASED. 1: TCM LIGHT ON. VEH. WILL NOT SHIFT. OCCURRED 2ND DAY OF OWNERSHIP. DEALER DENIES. 2: LIGHTS WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL UPON ARRIVAL TO DEALER. H... Read more
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
Jul 14, 2003
Incident date: Jul 3, 2003
PUCHASED WITH EMAIL AND VERBAL GUARANTEE NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR. HAVE VALID CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AGAINST SAME DEALER WITH MISREPRESENTATION OF VEH.(S) PURCHASED. 1: TCM LIGHT ON. VEH. WILL NOT SHIFT. OCCURRED 2ND DAY OF OWNERSHIP. DEALER DENIES. 2: LIGHTS WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL UPON ARRIVAL TO DEALER. H... Read more
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
Jul 14, 2003
Incident date: Jul 3, 2003
PUCHASED WITH EMAIL AND VERBAL GUARANTEE NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR. HAVE VALID CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AGAINST SAME DEALER WITH MISREPRESENTATION OF VEH.(S) PURCHASED. 1: TCM LIGHT ON. VEH. WILL NOT SHIFT. OCCURRED 2ND DAY OF OWNERSHIP. DEALER DENIES. 2: LIGHTS WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL UPON ARRIVAL TO DEALER. H... Read more
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CENTER SUPPORT BEARING
Jul 14, 2003
Incident date: Jul 3, 2003
PUCHASED WITH EMAIL AND VERBAL GUARANTEE NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR. HAVE VALID CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AGAINST SAME DEALER WITH MISREPRESENTATION OF VEH.(S) PURCHASED. 1: TCM LIGHT ON. VEH. WILL NOT SHIFT. OCCURRED 2ND DAY OF OWNERSHIP. DEALER DENIES. 2: LIGHTS WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL UPON ARRIVAL TO DEALER. H... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Jul 14, 2003
Incident date: Jul 3, 2003
PUCHASED WITH EMAIL AND VERBAL GUARANTEE NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR. HAVE VALID CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AGAINST SAME DEALER WITH MISREPRESENTATION OF VEH.(S) PURCHASED. 1: TCM LIGHT ON. VEH. WILL NOT SHIFT. OCCURRED 2ND DAY OF OWNERSHIP. DEALER DENIES. 2: LIGHTS WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL UPON ARRIVAL TO DEALER. H... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
Jul 14, 2003
Incident date: Jul 3, 2003
PUCHASED WITH EMAIL AND VERBAL GUARANTEE NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR. HAVE VALID CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AGAINST SAME DEALER WITH MISREPRESENTATION OF VEH.(S) PURCHASED. 1: TCM LIGHT ON. VEH. WILL NOT SHIFT. OCCURRED 2ND DAY OF OWNERSHIP. DEALER DENIES. 2: LIGHTS WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL UPON ARRIVAL TO DEALER. H... Read more
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
Jul 14, 2003
Incident date: Jul 3, 2003
PUCHASED WITH EMAIL AND VERBAL GUARANTEE NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR. HAVE VALID CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AGAINST SAME DEALER WITH MISREPRESENTATION OF VEH.(S) PURCHASED. 1: TCM LIGHT ON. VEH. WILL NOT SHIFT. OCCURRED 2ND DAY OF OWNERSHIP. DEALER DENIES. 2: LIGHTS WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL UPON ARRIVAL TO DEALER. H... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Jul 14, 2003
Incident date: Jul 3, 2003
PUCHASED WITH EMAIL AND VERBAL GUARANTEE NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR. HAVE VALID CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AGAINST SAME DEALER WITH MISREPRESENTATION OF VEH.(S) PURCHASED. 1: TCM LIGHT ON. VEH. WILL NOT SHIFT. OCCURRED 2ND DAY OF OWNERSHIP. DEALER DENIES. 2: LIGHTS WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL UPON ARRIVAL TO DEALER. H... Read more
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Apr 18, 2003
Incident date: Aug 28, 2001
AIRBAG FAILURE IN BMW 1993 325IS 40 MPH HEAD ON COLLISION. *NLM
Crash
2 injured
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Oct 15, 2001
Incident date: Feb 27, 1997
REAR SUB FRAME TORN AT 2 RIGHT POINTS, AND CRACKED AROUND THE LEFT FORWARD MOST MOUNT POINT. VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN ABUSED, DRIVEN OFF-ROAD, OR ON A RACE TRACK. ALL ORIGINAL WHELL, SUSPENSION AND DRIVELINE COMPONENTS WERE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Aug 29, 2000
VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND WHEN THE CONSUMER RAISED THE HOOD TO CHECK THE RADIATOR THE TOP FLANGE OF THE COMPOSITE RADIATOR BROKE OFF UNDER THE PRESSURE OF THE OVERHEATING SYSTEM AND SPRAYED THE CONSUMER WITH SCALDING COOLANT CAUSING SEVERE BURN INJURIES (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER), THE DEFECT WAS POSSIBLY ... Read more
1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Jul 12, 2000
REAR SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RELEASE FROM THE RETRACTING MECHANISM, CAUSING THE SEAT BELTS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
May 31, 2000
ORIGINAL LIMITED SLIP REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY AT 14,347 MILES AND REPLACED AT 18,700 MILES BY DEALER FOR ORIGINAL OWNER. SECOND OWNER COMPLAINED OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS AT 70,000 MILES AND SECOND REPLACEMENT OF LIMITED SLIP REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS IN PROCESS AT 76. *AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Jan 27, 2000
Incident date: Dec 31, 1998
BRAKE LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY! DISPLAY ON DASH READS"BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE". (ALSO, INTERMITTENTLY!) DEALER HAS INFORMED US THAT DEFECTIVE BRAKE SWITCH HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED. THEY WILL REPLACE SWITCH FOR $100.00. WOULD THIS BE A NORMAL FAILURE RATE ON A 6 YEAR OLD VEHICLE? *AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Dec 26, 1999
HEADLIGHTS HAVE TURNED A YELLOW MILKY COLOR. I HAVE OBSERVED THIS IN OTHER CARS OF SIMILAR TYPE AND BEEN TOLD BY A BMW MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURENCE WITH THE BMW'S. THE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL HAS COME UNGLUED AND IS BUBBLING. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD BY A BMW MECHANIC AND AN UPHOLSTERY REPAIR... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Sep 21, 1999
Incident date: Mar 5, 1999
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL COMPONENT PRIOR TO NOTICE RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM COMPONENTS (98V-178). MJS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
May 6, 1999
Incident date: May 6, 1999
CONSUMER WENT THROUGH A CAR WASH. AT THE END WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR ENGINE WAS SLOW AND POWER GONE, ALSO, WHEN STARTING TO GO THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, POWER FAILED. WASHED CAR AT HOME SAME THING HAPPENED , BUT LESS. WENT BACK TO CAR WASH AND VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUSHED OUT. CONSUMER WAITED F... Read more
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Nov 20, 1998
Incident date: Oct 2, 1998
THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH PROPERLY. THE LOCKING MECHANISIM IS NOT CATCHING SO THE LATCH FAILS TO LOCK. *AK
Technical Service Bulletins, 1993 BMW 325IS
3 manufacturer communications from 2 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 |
| 110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| 133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 1 |
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.
41/03/96
Nov 1, 1996
161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WIND NOISE DIAGNOSTICS. *TW
BMW 325IS - All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the BMW 325IS across all model years (1992, 1995).
12
Total Recalls
55
Total Complaints
0
Investigations
3
Reported Crashes
0
Reported Fires
0
Reported Deaths