Known Recalls

Model year record

1987 BMW 325

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 30 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 93V015000

Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core

Component
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core
Manufacturer
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected
375,000
Reported to NHTSA
1993-02-01
Owners notified
1993-06-04

Defect description

THE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND A RESULTING INCREASE IN SYSTEM PRESSURE.

Safety risk

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 RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAKAGE. IN SOME CASES,BOILING COOLANT CAN CONTACT THE LOWER RIGHT LEG OF THE DRIVER RESULTING INBURNS. ALSO, ESCAPING COOLANT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE VAPORFOGGING OF THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE WINDOWS, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 86V151000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected
97,300
Reported to NHTSA
1986-11-10
Owners notified
1987-03-20

Defect description

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH COULD OVERHEAT, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO MELTING OF PLASTIC INTERNAL PARTS IN AREA OF ELECTRICAL CONTACTS.

Safety risk

CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SWITCH PLUNGER COULD JAM, RENDERING BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER INOPERATIVE OR CONTINUOUSLY ILLIMINATED, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL OPERATION.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH REVISED SWITCH WITH INCREASED ELECTRICAL LOAD CAPACITY.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core4—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3—
Engine and engine cooling: engine282,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Power train: automatic transmission1—
Power train: driveline: differential unit1—
Seats1—
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp1—
Structure: body1—
Unknown or other1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—

The 1986 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 1988 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.