2005 BMW 3 Series: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 25 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
25
owner complaints
1
fire reports
-
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No recall campaigns1 fire report
Common problems
Computed from 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Limited data: only 25 complaints on record for this model year - too few for percentage statistics. Bars show raw report counts; read them as individual owner reports, not reliability rates. For a fuller picture, check nearby model years.
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)16 complaints
Exterior Lighting (headlights, taillights)3 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)2 complaints
Service Brakes (brakes)1 complaint
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)1 complaint
Visibility/Wiper (windshield, wipers, defroster, mirrors)1 complaint
“I was going down the road doing about 45 mph, at night on a back road when my front headlight on the drive side without. On the dishboard of the car the check bulb light came on. I got home the next day when tk the part place to get a bulb to find out the wires where bare there was only metal no plastic. Theg told me you had to replace the hole thing witch cost over 1000 dollars for. I went home research it online, and found out it happens a lot on bmw, and they never recall them. That they have even been on fire due to this. I called bmw and they told me they know of the issue, and they have yet to recall then and after you fit it it will happen again and about five years due to heat.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2018
“Takata recall parts not available. Original appointment attempted for 10/27/16. Peter pan bmw canceled appointment and notified me the parts were not in stock and there was no estimate for delivery. 30 days have passed with no updates from the dealership. Both driver and passenger airbags are affected by the recall.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
“Takata recall - driver side airbag has been recalled for over 12 months - today I received the second notification from bmw. I have been unable to have bmw make the repair in over a year due to unavailability. What is "within a reasonable amount of time" that this complaint should be made?”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw 3 series. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2016
“Takata recall: in july 2015 received notice of recall due to driver's side air bag deficit. Have called 2 dealers several times in attempt to obtain replacement during the past year. Have consistently been told that I'm on a wait list and that replacement parts are not available. Although there has been no incident or failure, one year seems an excessively long time to wait given the safety risk. Complaint issued by phone but VIN not available at the time.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2016
“Per my letter from bmw, I am to notify NHTSA that bmw is unable to remedy the airbag recall situation within a reasonable amount of time. I received the recall letter in july 2015 and called bmw today 11-16-15 to find out that they have no idea when they will receive parts to replace the defective airbag.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2015
“Takata recall. The dealer, life quality motor sales inc of brooklyn new york and bmw of north america llc refuse to complete this takata passenger airbag recall on my vehicle”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw 3 series. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
“Takata recall I received a notice about the recall back on july 2015 and still have not been notified that I can have this fixed! I had a toyota vehicle that was remedied very quickly! This recall should not take over a year to have it fixed. I am driving this car and want this documented!”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
“Takata recall it has been almost a year since the recall on my drivers side air bag was issued and they have still not replaced it.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
How other years compare
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Is the 2005 BMW 3 Series reliable?
NHTSA has 25 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 BMW 3 Series. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.