2004 BMW 325I: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 147 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (39% of complaints); the 2005 model year looks 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 147 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I cannot use put my windows up/down, cannot open the trunk, cannot use interior lights, cannot unlock my gas lid. Due to a broke. Electronic part called the GM5”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2025
“The contact owned a 2004 BMW 325i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V018000 (Air Bags) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list as she no longer own the vehicle. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2022
“2004 BMW 325i. Inquiry on behalf of the constituent, in regards to getting assistance with his BMW. THE CONSUMER STATED THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM FAILED. MULTIPLE REPAIR ATTEMPTS WERE MADE. THE DMTL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS.”Owner report · Fuel System, Diesel · May 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“The ground wire on my break light has burned through the 8 pin connector not only is this limiting my ability to warn other drivers it is a major fire hazard this was discovered during a recall service at the local dealership I do not believe. The proper steps have been taken to remedy this problem and if this can not be resolved informally I would like to pursue formal litigation against all parties involved and for discovery purpose all related correspondence, video, and recorded evidence should be preserved. Currently the break light is not working and there are defective and hazardous airbags.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2020
“The reflector bowl on the headlights burns, creating a severely decreased output. This is an issue known by many people in the bmw community. Https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/e46-zkw-reflector-recall-open-NHTSA-investigation.552978/”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2020
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 bmw 325i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v018000 (air bags). The contact called two bmw dealers, including the bmw of monterey dealer, located at (1 geary plz, seaside, ca 93955) and it was confirmed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2020
“When traveling at 60 mph on a restricted highway our sunroof exploded. There were no surrounding vehicles or any evidence of projectiles that would have explained the explosion. Weather conditions were clear, dry, and above freezing.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw 325i. The contact stated that the headlights failed. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the headlight housing material was deteriorated and prevented the headlights from providing adequate illumination. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2019
“My left reverse/tail light does not work. I have replaced the bulb and assembly and also have found online that there were recalls for this specific issue.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2019
“Car sitting in driveway of primary residence for several days after repeated heavy rains and hurricanes and spontaneously caught fire. Fire was self extinguished but started in dash on left side of steering wheel centered on the head-light control module.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 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 model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
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.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 325I, 325XI, 330I, AND 330XI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2001, THROUGH MARCH 1, 2005. OVER TIME, RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY CAUSE ONE OR MORE REAR LAMP FUNCTIONS (TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND/OR TURN-SIGNAL), WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S BODY PANEL, TO STOP WORKING.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES 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 325I 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 325I reliable?
NHTSA has 147 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 BMW 325I. The most complained-about area is air bags (39% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 BMW 325I problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 84,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 BMW 325I have open recalls?
5 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.