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Bmw 325i — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Bmw 325i model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
28
Years to Avoid
2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001
Best Years
1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988
2012
1 complaints0 recalls8 TSBs
2011
1 complaints3 recalls4 TSBs
2010
0 complaints3 recalls4 TSBs
2009
0 complaints3 recalls4 TSBs
2008
1 complaints3 recalls8 TSBs
2007
1 complaints3 recalls7 TSBs
2006Avoid
708 complaints7 recalls3 invest.114 TSBs
2005Avoid
80 complaints5 recalls5 invest.33 TSBs
2004Avoid
182 complaints5 recalls5 invest.24 TSBs
2003Avoid
261 complaints8 recalls3 invest.23 TSBs
2002Avoid
198 complaints7 recalls3 invest.16 TSBs
2001Avoid
196 complaints7 recalls16 TSBs
2000
1 complaints2 recalls1 TSBs
1999Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1998Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1997Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1996Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1995
42 complaints2 recalls4 TSBs
1994
23 complaints3 recalls3 TSBs
1993
25 complaints3 recalls3 TSBs
1992
55 complaints4 recalls3 TSBs
1991Best Year
4 complaints0 recalls3 TSBs
1990Best Year
5 complaints0 recalls3 TSBs
1989Best Year
10 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1988Best Year
7 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1987
5 complaints0 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1986
0 complaints0 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1985
0 complaints0 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Bmw 325i Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001 Bmw 325i are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Bmw 325i, consider the 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

28 model years analyzed