1992 BMW 325I

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #98V178000August 4, 1998340,000 vehicles affected

  engine and engine cooling: cooling system

  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 the driver, it is possible that damage to, or failure of, a coolant system component could occur.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #97V131000August 19, 1997410,000 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control

  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 separate from the bushing. In this case, during application of the throttle pedal without cruise control being engaged, the outer tube could catch on the edge of the broken bushing.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #96V110000July 1, 199675,000 vehicles affected

  air bags: frontal

  The air bag contact ring locking tab located in the steering wheel assembly Can break without warning.

  If this happens, the contact ring wiring could eventually break. The air bag readiness indicator lamp (SRS or airbag) in the instrument cluster will illuminate, and the air bag would not deploy in the event of a frontal impact vehicle collision.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the locking tab with one of a different design.

• NHTSA recall #96V111000July 1, 1996180,000 vehicles affected

  exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

  The brake light switch Can fail allowing the switch to remain in the "brake lights off" position or in the "brake lights on" position.

  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.

Other model years

• 1992
• 1995 31
• 2001 151
• 2002 162
• 2003 199
• 2004 147
• 2005 71
• 2006 515