How many recalls does the 2002 BMW 325xi have?

The 2002 BMW 325xi has 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2002 BMW 325xi has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2002 BMW 325xi?

Of 93 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is electrical system.

2002 BMW 325xi Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2002 BMW 325xi has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,571,193 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 93 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 6, 2026.

Recall campaigns

AIR BAGS 20V018000 2020-01-15 292,948 affected

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger…

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

AIR BAGS 14V428000 2018-06-11 574,007 affected

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans,…

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available,…

AIR BAGS 15V318000 2015-05-28 419,235 affected

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i…

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in…

AIR BAGS 13V172000 2013-05-02 43,204 affected

Defect

BMW is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans; 325Ci and 330Ci coupes and convertibles; 325iT and 325xiT Sports Wagons; and M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to…

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW intends to issue initial notifications to owners informing them of the safety defect in June 2013. Once replacement parts are available, estimated for July, BMW will notify owners again to contact their dealers and schedule a…

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 11V438000 2011-08-26 241,000 affected

Defect

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 325I, 325XI, 330I, AND 330XI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2001, THROUGH MARCH 1, 2005. OVER TIME, RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY CAUSE ONE OR MORE REAR LAMP FUNCTIONS (TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND/OR TURN-SIGNAL), WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S BODY PANEL, TO…

Consequence

INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR 02V088000 2002-03-18 799 affected

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A PROBLEM IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS MAY HAVE RESULTED IN THE CREATION OF A CRACK WHERE THE BRAKE DISC AND THE PARKING BRAKE DRUM MEET. FURTHER CRACKING OF THE ROTOR COULD OCCUR DUE TO BRAKING TORQUE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AND THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE…

Consequence

IF THIS HAPPENED, THE WHEEL WOULD CONTINUE TO TURN, BUT THE DISC WOULD STOP, AND THERE WOULD BE NO BRAKING CAPACITY AT THAT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH REAR BRAKE ROTORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 25, 2002. 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.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ENGINE

AIR BAGS

SUSPENSION

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

STEERING

POWER TRAIN

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

TIRES:SIDEWALL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Total complaints93

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“The contact owns a 2002 bmw 325xi. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 20v018000 (air bags). The contact stated that approximately 7-months after the repair, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle back…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2021-09-01

“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.”

ENGINE · reported 2017-09-13

“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.”

STEERING · reported 2017-09-13

“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.”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2017-09-13

“The camshaft positioning sensor a circuit intermittent can go bad leading the engine to stop working all together this could cause a very serious accident if driving on the road”

ENGINE · reported 2017-02-24

“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2002 bmw 325xi. While driving approximately 60 mph, the driver side air bag deployed without warning or impact. The contact sustained burns and bruises on the left arm from the air bag. The contact did not seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2016-08-16

“Locks occupants in car and cannot electrically or mechanically unlock. Many bmw operators have reported this problem on internet but no recall exists for dealerships to repair/replace. Happens when vehicle is in motion or stationary, on a city street or highway, turning or anytime the system locks…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2016-07-04

“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2002 bmw 325xi. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v3178000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2015-12-30