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BMW 325I overheating problems

34 of the 1,367 owner complaints about the BMW 325I describe engine overheating, most of them for the 2006 model year.

owner complaints
34
worst model year
2006
typical mileage
98,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2006
    13
  • 2005
    3
  • 2004
    1
  • 2002
    4
  • 2001
    7
  • 1995
    1
  • 1994
    1
  • 1993
    1
  • 1992
    3

What owners say

Filed Nov 2, 2024 · Engine · CA

This compliant is regarding the cooling system of BMW 32d5i 2006. Experience overheating of the car. The BMW dealership service department has confirmed that the water pump is at fault. And the quote for water pump replacement is their system. Yes, this is the second recurrency of overheating. Yes, the dashboard indicated overheating. The second warning was October 23,2024. The first warning was several years prior.

Filed Dec 16, 2022 · Engine · CA

I was driving on the freeway when all of a sudden a lot of white smoke started to come from the engine. The car instantly overheated and it shut off. My car had no problems until now. I called a tow truck to bring it home. I had many mechanics check it out and they couldn’t figure out why this happened out of nowhere. They all said the same thing that this car was in fixable and it’s not ever drivable no more. Then I received this letter from BMW saying that my car was on a safety recall list and they have no remedy.

Filed Jun 16, 2021 · Engine · 170,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 325i. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle overheated without warning. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact stated the failure was like the federal safety agency campaign number: 17V676000 (Electrical System). The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Oct 5, 2020 · Acceleration, Engine · 177,373 miles · NC

The problems I am having with my car include: high rpms when accelerating, massive gas consumption which I can provide bank statements to prove, massive coolant consumption, numerous oil leaks, rough idling, engine rattling, foul smell of vapors in the car while running, and constant car shaking. My car will cut off completely if the A/C is turned on or if sitting at a red light, so in return I would have to put my car in park while sitting at red lights. All of this is due to the pcv valve. This recall was not made aware to me if though I took my car to get serviced at the bmw dealership after the recall was announced. This is why I asked for goodwill assistance from bmw. Once my car was taken in to fix the recall bmw told me they would not help financially with the repairs of my vehicle due to the fact of the year and mileage. Corporate told me this after I had to chase them down all day because the dealership told me they needed a answer by 12pm and needed the loaner vehicle back. Once I received the answer of no I asked cody campbell if the recall was fixed . He replied saying yes. I drove to the dealership to then be sent back home because they said they were sealing some of the leaks for safety purposes. I found this odd because if you looked online and still look now as of 10:09pm on 10/05/2019 the recall still has not been fixed.

Filed Sep 9, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 127,000 miles · FL

I have a recall on the heater devices, not quit sure what that is but it can cause my engine to overheat and catch fire. I've already replaced the coolant system because of over heating I'm very scared of driving the car. I would like to get it fixed a soon as possible, its nice car and I've put a lot of money in it already, trying to keep it on the road,its my work transportation.

Filed Aug 11, 2019 · Brakes, Engine · 98,000 miles · GA

Ever since I've had the car I have had overheating problems after replacing the water pump all the hoses HVAC hoses under the manifold the car still wants to overheat I've been in traffic I've had this problem having a I'm cars behind me and my temperature gauge going to age and I can't crank the car because I don't want to ruin the motor I've had to let the car cool be late for jobs work and other things appointments are the car cool down and I've had to add coolant in it at $20 a piece by the coolant runs right back out

Filed Jul 31, 2019 · Engine · 16,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325i. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle began to release smoke from the engine and overheat. The vehicle also began to lose engine power. As a safety precaution, the contact pulled the vehicle over to the shoulder. Once the vehicle reached a complete stop, it would not restart and was left on the side of the road overnight. The following day, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine failed. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 16,000.

Filed Jul 22, 2019 · Engine · 76,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owned a 2006 bmw 325i. While driving various speeds, the reservoir, ABS, and window warning indicator illuminated, causing the vehicle to overheat. The contact would have to turn the vehicle off and back on, and attempt to drive without it overheating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the radiator tank needed to be repaired. The vehicle was taken to bmw of roseville (500 automall dr, roseville, ca 95661, (916) 790-1990) to be diagnosed; however, the dealer refused because the vehicle did not have a bmw battery. The failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.

Filed Jun 10, 2019 · Engine · 146,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325i. While driving, the vehicle intermittently overheated when the air conditioner was activated. The contact noticed that the heater sensor warning indicator illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and noticed antifreeze leaking out. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, but the contact was not informed of the results. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v676000 (electrical system) and the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v273000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000.

Filed Jul 18, 2018 · Electrical · 80,000 miles · WI

The federal safety agency recall number 17v676 bmw still has not issued a response or a fix to this recall, which was sent out in october 2017. Blower motor wiring: this recall involves the wiring for the system, known as the blower-motor, that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system. Over time, the connection between the wiring and this system could deteriorate and, in rare cases, could lead to overheating.

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)Reported April 4, 2019 · 184,505 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 530xi Sports Wagon, 325i, 325xi, 325xi Sports Wagon, 330i, 330xi, Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Risk
An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417. Note: This recall is an expansion to recall 17V‑683.

Recall number 19V273000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fanReported May 16, 2002 · 1,550 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles, the engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.
Risk
If this were to occur, engine overheating and subsequent engine damage could result. In addition, it is possible for the failure of the electrical circuitry to cause a fire in the fan control unit located in the front of the engine compartment.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fan. Owner notification began september 28, 2001. This is a supplement to a recall that began during september 2001 (see recall campaign 01v206). Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1‑800‑831‑1117.

Recall number 02V138000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fanReported June 21, 2001 · 76,469 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.
Risk
If this were to occur, engine overheating and subsequent engine damage could result. In addition, it is possible for the failure of the electrical circuitry to cause a fire in the fan control unit located in the front of the engine compartment.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fan. Owner notification began september 28, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1‑800‑831‑1117.

Recall number 01V206000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: cooling systemReported August 4, 1998 · 340,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
If a crack were to form or a seam were to separate in the heater core end piece, hot coolant could suddenly be expelled, increasing the risk of personal injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy
Dealers will install a new design radiator cap to control pressure and provide greater coolant overflow in the event of overheating.

Recall number 98V178000 · Recall details

Questions about the BMW 325I overheating

Which BMW 325I years have engine overheating problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2006 (13 complaints), 2001 (7 complaints) and 2002 (4 complaints).

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