1992 BMW 325I
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1992 BMW 325I is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 16 on record.
1992 BMW 325I at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1992 BMW 325I recalls 4
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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
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 …
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.
THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING TAB WITH ONE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN.
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
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.
1992 BMW 325I common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 86 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1992 BMW 325I safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1992 BMW 325i 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1992 BMW 325I MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1992 BMW 325I costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
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.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 2
AIR BAG WIRING FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #EA95013 · Air Bags · opened Mar 1995 · closed Jul 1996HEATER CORE FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #EA92017 · Visibility · opened Jun 1992 · closed Mar 1993An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 9
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 2024REAR 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 2008N54 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 2008N52 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 2008CHECK 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 2006SUBJECT REGARDING THE ABS/ASC WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED DURING DYNAMOMETER TEST. *YC *JN
Bulletin 34 02 98 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 1998RECALL 96V111 - THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN INVOLVES THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *TW
Bulletin MSG1016 · Exterior Lighting · Oct 1996RECALL 96V110 - BMW OF NORTH AMERICA HAS INITIATED A RECALL CAMPAIGN WHICH INVOLVES THE AIRBAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB. *TW
Bulletin MSG0415 · Air Bags · Oct 1996ENGINE WILL NOT START. *TW
Bulletin 120894(4117) · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 1995Source: 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.
1992 BMW 325I vehicles on record
1992 BMW 325IWBABF31010EF06219
1992 BMW 325IWBACB31010FD76534
1992 BMW 325IWBACB41040FE52186
1992 BMW 325IWBABF31050EF03520
1992 BMW 325IWBABF31080EF10297
1992 BMW 325IWBACB41090FE60381
1992 BMW 325IWBACC21030FG30994
1992 BMW 325IWBABF41030EJ65036
1992 BMW 325IWBABF31090EF01690
1992 BMW 325IWBABF31060EF06054
1992 BMW 325IWBA27910007016416
1992 BMW 325IWBACB31090FD50361
1992 BMW 325IWBAAK510509595785
1992 BMW 325IWBACB31080FD67040
1992 BMW 325IWBACB31030FD57810
1992 BMW 325IWBABF4319PEK05345