Model year guide

1994 BMW 325I

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1994 BMW 325I is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 24 on record.

1994 BMW 325I — representative photo
Representative photo

1994 BMW 325I at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints17
Combined20 mpg

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

1994 BMW 325I recalls 3

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System NHTSA Campaign #98V178000 · 04/08/1998

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.

Vehicle Speed Control NHTSA Campaign #97V131000 · 19/08/1997

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.

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #96V111000 · 01/07/1996

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.

1994 BMW 325I common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

1994 BMW 325I MPG & running costs

Combined20 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,100
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume86 cu ft
Cargo volume10 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$8,500 more

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 1994 BMW 325I costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$20,500
Fuel only$20,500
Per mile$0.27

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

Manufacturer service bulletins 3

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

WIND NOISE DIAGNOSTICS. *TW

Bulletin 41/03/96 · Structure · Nov 1996

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

Bulletin MSG1016 · Exterior Lighting · Oct 1996

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.

1994 BMW 325I vehicles on record

1994 BMW 325I 1994 BMW 325IWBABF31050EF24710 1994 BMW 325I 1994 BMW 325IWBACB31020JD66026 1994 BMW 325I 1994 BMW 325IWBACB410X0FE69610 1994 BMW 325I 1994 BMW 325IWBACB41010FE70788 1994 BMW 325I 1994 BMW 325IWBACB31010FD83077 1994 BMW 325I 1994 BMW 325IWBAAC510X01570313 1994 BMW 325I 1994 BMW 325IWBACB41030FE61039 1994 BMW 325IWBACB31060FD83723 1994 BMW 325I 1994 BMW 325IWBABF41070EJ73334 1994 BMW 325I 1994 BMW 325IWBABF4107CEJ72667 1994 BMW 325I 1994 BMW 325IWBABF31060EF15448 1994 BMW 325I 1994 BMW 325IWBABF31070EF21257 1994 BMW 325I 1994 BMW 325IWBAAD310501530044 1994 BMW 325I 1994 BMW 325IWBABF31000EF24789 1994 BMW 325I 1994 BMW 325IWBACB31000FD85161 1994 BMW 325I 1994 BMW 325IWBACB31040FD86006 1994 BMW 325I 1994 BMW 325IWBABF31010EF23070 1994 BMW 325I 1994 BMW 325IWBAAK510509458331 1994 BMW 325I 1994 BMW 325IWBACB31030FD81475 1994 BMW 325I 1994 BMW 325IWBABJ51070JC47463 1994 BMW 325I 1994 BMW 325IWBABF41040EJ74537 1994 BMW 325I 1994 BMW 325IWBACB41050FE69983 1994 BMW 325I 1994 BMW 325IWBACB31080FD86252 1994 BMW 325I 1994 BMW 325IWBABF31080EF21445

Other BMW 325I model years

2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1995 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985

1994 BMW 325I — frequently asked questions

Does the 1994 BMW 325I have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1994 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 1994 BMW 325I?

Across all 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, electrical system, fuel system.

What gas mileage does the 1994 BMW 325I get?

The 1994 BMW 325I has a U.S. EPA estimate of 20 mpg combined (18 city / 26 highway).

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