The 1986 BMW 325 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 592,561 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the visibility. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
VISIBILITY93V0150001993-02-01375,000 affected
Defect
THE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND A RESULTING INCREASE IN SYSTEM PRESSURE.
Consequence
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…
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.
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH COULD OVERHEAT, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO MELTING OF PLASTIC INTERNAL PARTS IN AREA OF ELECTRICAL CONTACTS.
Consequence
CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SWITCH PLUNGER COULD JAM, RENDERING BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER INOPERATIVE OR CONTINUOUSLY ILLIMINATED, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL OPERATION.
Remedy
REPLACE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH REVISED SWITCH WITH INCREASED ELECTRICAL LOAD CAPACITY.
STEERING86V1380001986-10-20120,261 affected
Defect
THE TWO PARTS OF THE STEERING COLUMN DISENGAGEMENT ELEMENT COULD COMPLETELY DISCONNECT IF THE CAR CONTACTS AN OBJECT IN THE ROADWAY OR ELSEWHERE OF SUFFICIENT MASS TO APPLY A SIGNIFICANT FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE STEERING GEARBOX. …
Remedy
BOLT TWO SPECIALLY FORMED PLATES TO THE DISENGAGEMENT ELEMENT SO THAT STEERING CAPABILITY WILL BE RETAINED.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“My 1986 325es bmw over heat. Change the fluids, perform several checks and it is still over heating. Has there been any recall on the heating or cooling system.”
“Car has overheated since 2000. I have called the dealership several times and they keep telling me there is no recall for my 86 bmw 325 but I just looked up recalls and saw were overheating was a problem for this year model car. *tr”
“Defect in electronic locking device. Unable to open passenger doors (front and back), either manually (from inside) or with key (from outside). Have scheduled an appointment to have parts repaired or replaced. *jb”
“Consumer states that dealership stated that they don't know if they can do consumers recall for free. Mr”
“Daughter driving, passengers/driver had on seat belts, clear/sunny day, another car tailgating fast. Started slowing to make lane change, car skidded, brakes locked up, car rolled 6 times, car upside down, driver thrown to passenger's side roof. Seatbelt did not hold. *ak”
“Daughter driving, passengers/driver had on seat belts, clear/sunny day, another car tailgating fast. Started slowing to make lane change, car skidded, brakes locked up, car rolled 6 times, car upside down, driver thrown to passenger's side roof. Seatbelt did not hold. *ak”
“Recall 93v015 heater:defroster:defogger; hot fluid entered compartment and burnt drivers lower leg. Please describe details. Tt”
“Air conditioning is not powerful enough. *skd”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP92004 Opened 1992-03-03 · closed 1992-06-02
DEFECTIVE HEATER CORES
DEFECTIVE HEATER CORES
InvestigationEA90002 Opened 1989-10-12 · closed 1990-10-30
MSTR CYL FAILS TO RELEASE
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationEA92017 Opened 1992-06-02 · closed 1993-03-30
HEATER CORE FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE89142 Opened 1989-07-14 · closed 1989-10-12
BRAKES DRAG & FAIL
SUMMARY:THE BRAKES REPORTEDLY BEGAN TO DRAG AND LOCK WITHOUTWARNING DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING ON 4 VEHICLES.THE CAUSE IS NOTKNOWN AT THIS TIME.===
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1986 BMW 325 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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