2004 BMW 325CI: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 68 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (60% of complaints); the 2002 and 2003 and 2005 and 2006 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 68 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The TAKATA airbags were replaced April 8, 2021, by Reeds Import, Tampa FL. Please save a tree and stop sending recall notices. Thank you. Mark”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2021
“After recalled air bags replaced, about 6 months later new air bag sensor light came on and diagnosed as passenger seat air bag sensor mat needs to be replaced. Just randomly the light came on and stayed on. I see this has been a problem in bmws and there was an extended warranty for other models. This should be a recall as it is a safety issue as bags will not deploy.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2021
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 bmw 325ci. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 01/26/2017*ct *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“I received a letter from bmw stating airbags were in for recalls 15v-318 and 13v-172/14v-428. I took my car to bmw west in houston and was told tx does not have driver's side airbags yet. I had to leave my car overnight because they had to wait for the passenger bags from another bmw center. I will now be driving with a defective driver's airbag until parts are received.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw 325ci. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14v428000 (air bags) and 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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 bmw 325ci. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags). The part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2016
“When weather is hot steering becomes critical. Does not respond to where you steer the car. Fear of an accident causes me to not use the car in hot weather. Seems like a common problem with this model car, why isn't there a recall by bmw ??”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2016
“Notified many months ago driver air bag could kill and it was being replaced under a recall. I call every month to no help by bmw. Months later, bmw says "tacata air bag company going bankrupt so good luck" ever getting the part. Why isn't bmw being forced to resolve this? So, if I or anyone driving a recalled car dies, bmw is well aware of the prior problem and is an accomplice for aiding and abetting in nothing being done for the many bmw customers.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2016
“Takata recall - in july 2015, I had the passenger side airbag replaced per the bmw recall, however, I was also notified that the driver side airbag was to be replaced but parts were not available. My car has been located in sw florda for over 9 yrs and after repeated calls to my sarasota dealer, still have not been notied that parts are available. My last contact with the dealer during march 2016, I was advised that the repair is still not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 bmw 325ci. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags); however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 05/03/16*lj”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2004 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 325CI by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 BMW 325CI reliable?
NHTSA has 68 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 BMW 325CI. The most complained-about area is air bags (60% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 BMW 325CI problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 BMW 325CI have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.