The 1987 BMW 325 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 472,300 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the visibility. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
VISIBILITY93V0150001993-02-01375,000 affected
Defect
THE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND A RESULTING INCREASE IN SYSTEM PRESSURE.
Consequence
VEHICLES OPERATED UNDER THIS INCREASED COOLING SYSTEMPRESSURE CONDITION CAN SUFFER DAMAGE OR FAILURE OF PARTS OF THE COOLING SYSTEMSUCH AS (1) LEAKAGE FROM A COOLANT HOSE, (2) LEAKAGE OF THE RADIATOR OREXPANSION TANK, (3) DISCONNECTION OF A HOSE FROM A PIPE OR A FITTING, AND (4)CRACKS IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE…
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A THERMOSTATIC BYPASS VALVE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO CONTROL COOLANT TEMPERATURE IN THE HEATER CORE. ALSO, A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP WILL BE INSTALLED, TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH COULD OVERHEAT, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO MELTING OF PLASTIC INTERNAL PARTS IN AREA OF ELECTRICAL CONTACTS.
Consequence
CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SWITCH PLUNGER COULD JAM, RENDERING BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER INOPERATIVE OR CONTINUOUSLY ILLIMINATED, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL OPERATION.
Remedy
REPLACE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH REVISED SWITCH WITH INCREASED ELECTRICAL LOAD CAPACITY.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
1
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
1
Total complaints30
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“While driving oil light came on after being serviced 5 days ago. Will be taking vehicle back to dealership to have mechanic check engine and electrical system for problems.*ak”
“While driving coolant light came on. Hose blew off coolant reservoir. Vehicle was towed and hose was reattached. *ak recall (93v-015) work done on the coolant system, after the recall was done the vehicle running hotter than before. *yh”
“While driving window got foggy and coolant was leaking on front seat floor. Technician explained that clamps were too tight, forcing the coolant to overflow just like stated in recall 93v015000. *ak”
“Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration due to failure of the idle control valve, on one occasion the surge occurred and the vehicle went onto a curb which damaged the oil pan, consumer feels the dealer should reimburse her for the repairs. *slc”
“Driving at 55 mph, all instruments reading normal, heard a "bang" , lost all engine power and brakes,power steering. Was not timing belt because when downshifting to arrest vehicle tachometer was working. Car would not restart in neutral while coasting, nor would it "pop" start. Coasted to a stop…”
“Able to smell the gas fume, especially when the engine is running. The fuel leakage may be related to the type of gasoline additive (ntbe?) in the california,”
“While driving engine caught on fire, spreading to the exhaust . Manufacturer has not been notified. *ak”
“When air conditioner or heater is turned on, vehicle looses power/hesitates.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA90002 Opened 1989-10-12 · closed 1990-10-30
MSTR CYL FAILS TO RELEASE
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationEA92017 Opened 1992-06-02 · closed 1993-03-30
HEATER CORE FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE89142 Opened 1989-07-14 · closed 1989-10-12
BRAKES DRAG & FAIL
SUMMARY:THE BRAKES REPORTEDLY BEGAN TO DRAG AND LOCK WITHOUTWARNING DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING ON 4 VEHICLES.THE CAUSE IS NOTKNOWN AT THIS TIME.===
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1987 BMW 325 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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