2002 BMW 325XI problems
Owners have filed 93 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 BMW 325XI. Engine is the most reported problem area, at 18% of complaints. After that come electrical system (16%) and air bags (14%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 93 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 18% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 4 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 75,000 miles 78 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 4 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 7 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 19 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 13 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 14 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 3 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 8 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 3 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 7 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 78 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 75,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 62,000 miles (17 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 4 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2002 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 5 model years of the BMW 325XI with enough data (20 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 6 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
I was driving the car and my wife was a passenger in the front seat. Another car hit our car on the front driver side deploying both front airbags. I had back injuries and my wife lost vision in both her eyes. She is still not able to see even though she had several surgeries at mayo clinic in rochester, mn. Every surgeon she has seen has said that this is the worst airbag injury they have ever seen. Updated 09/17/14..updated 10/01/14 updated 01/26/15. Updated 02/4/2015
While driving 50 MPH driver ran over pieces of debris on the highway and both frontal air bags went off inadvertently. Driver sustained head and back injuries , and was transported by ambulance to the hospital. Vehicle was towed to the dealer.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 BMW 325xi. The contact stated that none of the rear lights functioned. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the wiring harness was burned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 11v438000 (exterior lighting:brake lights). The failure mileage was 70,000.
Heard squeaking noise when driving over bumps and driving slow, also when making turns. Dealership technician checked the front end after road testing the vehicle. Found that both drive axles lost all lubricant; right/front inner and outer c/v joint was contaminated. Removed both front strut hub assembly and lower control arms from axles, removed and replaced both front complete axle assembly. Reinstalled front end components which were removed.
Ignition selaniod isn't working. When I turn the key to start the car, the ignition thinks the car has started, but the engine doesn't turn over. It takes multiple tries to get the car to start.