1995 BMW 325i recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. 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…
What could happen: 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.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1995 325I.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 97V131000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: 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.
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.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN BY THE END OF OCTOBER 1997. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
2. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. 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.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1995 325I.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 98V178000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Summary: 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.
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.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 31, 1999. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Airbags (12), Brakes (9), Hydraulic (9), Transmission / drivetrain (9), Engine (8).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
06/04/2021 · Unknown Or Other · crash
The hard plastic cover on my BMW's R.O.P.S. Rollover Protection System came off. The BMW and Roll Over Protection System is available for for inspection. I was struck violently by the cover that came off. I was diagnosed with a concussion and closed head injury at the hospital. Digital Motion X-Rays show that I have painful, progressive, and permanent injur…
06/17/2015 · Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEEDLE WENT TO THE HOT POSITION WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND OBSERVED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS STEAMING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR RESERVOIR AND THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR FAILED AND NEED…
02/16/2015 · Airbags
RE: RECALL CAMPAIGN NO 14V-428 I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM BMW IN SEPT 2014 REGARDING FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL BMW DEALER A DOZEN TIMES IN THE PAST 5 MONTHS BUT THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. THEY SUPPOSEDLY PUT ME ON A WAITING LIST 3 MONTHS AGO. HOWEVER, THEY CANNOT TELL ME WHERE I STAND ON THE WAITI…
06/01/2010 · Suspension
1- STEERING SHAKES A LOT AT SPEED 45 AND OVER AND UNEVEN WEAR ON BOTH FRONT TIRE. 2- THE SHOP LIFTED UP THE CAR AND SAID THAT BOTH SIDES OF THE FRAME THAT HOLDING THE SWAY BAR ARE RUSTED THROUGH AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE BUT TO GO TO THE DEALER. 3- WELL THE DEALER WAS NOT CO-OPERATIVE ON THE ISSUE AND WANT ME TO PAY FOR THE FIX. *TR
06/27/2009 · Engine
CARS RPM WILL NOT STAY STABLE . GO UP @DOWN WHEN IDLING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON GOES OUT WHEN ACCELERATING. REPLACE THERMOSTAT . RADIATOR. FAN AND FUEL PUMP PRIOR TO THIS DUE TO CAR OVER HEATING THEN CAME FAILURE OF CRACKED CYLINDER IN ENGINE. STILL NO MECHANIC CAN DIAGNOSIS EVEN WITH COMPUTER SCOPE HELP. *TR
04/23/2009 · Brakes
TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO BMW - TO HAVE (THROTTLE RECALL ) WORK PERFORMED. APPARENTLY, IT WAS NOT DONE OR IF IT WAS DONE, WAS NOT TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND NOW, THE VEHICLE WILL JUMP FORWARD, WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. ALSO, BMW HAS REFUSED TO CORRECT THE SHORT IN THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT. WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED, THE 'CHECK 1 R…
02/05/2007 · Engine
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SAFETY RECALL 98V178000 CONCERNIG ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM. HOWEVER , THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT'S COMPLAINED THAT THEY RECALL INVOLVED THE SAME T FAILURE AS THE CONTACT WAS HAVING WITH THIS VEHICLE.. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FI…
12/05/2006 · Suspension
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING UP OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, A NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE CONTROL ARM SUPPORT. THE BOLTS THAT ATTACHED THE WHEEL WERE FRACTURED. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS TO ALERT THE CONTACT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTE…