Model year guide

1991 BMW 325I

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1991 BMW 325I is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 13 on record.

1991 BMW 325I — representative photo
Representative photo

1991 BMW 325I at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints11
Combined15 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1991 BMW 325I recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1991 BMW 325I.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1991 BMW 325I common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

1991 BMW 325I safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1991 BMW 325i 2-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

1991 BMW 325I MPG & running costs

Combined15 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway17 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$5,500
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Passenger volume81 cu ft
Cargo volume24 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$15,500 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1991 BMW 325I costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$27,500
Fuel only$27,500
Per mile$0.37

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
175.6 in
Width
65.0 in
Height
53.9 in
Wheelbase
101.2 in
Curb weight
3,056 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1991 BMW 325I. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 2

AIR BAG WIRING FAILURE Closed

NHTSA #EA95013 · Air Bags · opened Mar 1995 · closed Jul 1996

HEATER CORE FAILURE Closed

NHTSA #EA92017 · Visibility · opened Jun 1992 · closed Mar 1993

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 10

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

Bulletin B510819 · Electrical System, Visibility · Jan 2024

REAR BULB FAILURE. MODEL E92 (3 SERIES COUPE) VEHICLES PRODUCED UP TO JANUARY 21, 2008 ARE AFFECTED. THE BULB OUT WARNING SHOWS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *PE

Bulletin SI B63 02 08 · Exterior Lighting · May 2008

N54 RATTLE NOISE FROM TURBOCHARGER AREA. MODELS E90, E92 AND E93 (3 SERIES) 335I AND 335XI; E60 AND E61 (5 SERIES) 535I AND 535XI, ALL WITH N54 ENGINE FROM THE START OF PRODUCTION TO JANUARY 17, 2008 PRODUCTION. *PE

Bulletin SI B11 13 07 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2008

N52 EDK THROTTLE JAMMING FAULTS 2D09, 2CED AND 2CEC. MODEL E90 AND E91 (3 SERIES) AND E60 AND E61 (5 SERIES), ALL MODELS UP TO 11/2005 WITH N52 ENGINE. *PE

Bulletin SI B12 01 08 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2008

CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED AND/OR VEHICLE OVERHEATS. BMW E90 (3 SERIES) ALL E90 (3 SERIES) AND E60 (5 SERIES) MODELS EQUIPPED WITH N52 ENGINE. *TT

Bulletin 120405 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2006

SUBJECT REGARDING THE ABS/ASC WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED DURING DYNAMOMETER TEST. *YC *JN

Bulletin 34 02 98 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 1998

RECALL 96V111 - THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN INVOLVES THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *TW

Bulletin MSG1016 · Exterior Lighting · Oct 1996

RECALL 96V110 - BMW OF NORTH AMERICA HAS INITIATED A RECALL CAMPAIGN WHICH INVOLVES THE AIRBAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB. *TW

Bulletin MSG0415 · Air Bags · Oct 1996

ENGINE WILL NOT START. *TW

Bulletin 120894(4117) · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 1995

VARIOUS MALFUNCTIONS OF THE "ONE TOUCH" WINDOW OPERATION. *TW

Bulletin 514191(3431) · Visibility · Jan 1993

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 325I. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the BMW 325I

The BMW 3 series is a line of compact executive cars manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. It is the successor to the 02 series and has been produced in eight generations.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1991 BMW 325I vehicles on record

1991 BMW 325I 1991 BMW 325IWBACB11070FC02391 1991 BMW 325I 1991 BMW 325IWBACB31090FD56256 1991 BMW 325I 1991 BMW 325IWBACB31080FD56040 1991 BMW 325I 1991 BMW 325IWBAAC510801578023 1991 BMW 325I 1991 BMW 325IWBACB31060FD70227 1991 BMW 325I 1991 BMW 325IWBACB1107MFC02391 1991 BMW 325I 1991 BMW 325IWBACB31040FD66631 1991 BMW 325I 1991 BMW 325IWBACB310X0FD68318 1991 BMW 325I 1991 BMW 325IWBACB31010FD69860 1991 BMW 325I 1991 BMW 325IWBACB41050FE58384 1991 BMW 325I 1991 BMW 325IWBACB31050FD57761 1991 BMW 325I 1991 BMW 325IWBABB210402005880 1991 BMW 325I 1991 BMW 325IWBACB31030FD56723

Other BMW 325I model years

2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1995 1994 1993 1992 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985

1991 BMW 325I — frequently asked questions

Does the 1991 BMW 325I have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 1991 BMW 325I. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1991 BMW 325I?

Across all 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, service brakes, hydraulic.

What is the 1991 BMW 325I safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1991 BMW 325I crash-test ratings of frontal 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 1991 BMW 325I get?

The 1991 BMW 325I has a U.S. EPA estimate of 15 mpg combined (15 city / 17 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.