2005 BMW 325I: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 71 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (46% of complaints); the 2007 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · 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 71 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2005 BMW 325I. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the passenger's side air bag warning illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V018000 (Air Bags) and related the failure to the recall. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2023
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw 325i. The contact stated that there was a drastic reduction in speed while operating the vehicle. The contact was uncertain if the fuel system, electrical system, or engine was the source of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle would hesitate and fail to start intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and stated that the fuel pump assembly may be the cause of the failure. The dealer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2018
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 bmw 325i. The contact received notification of a manufacturer's recall for the drivers side air bag. The dealer stated that the parts were available and completed the recall repair. The contact also received a notice for a passenger side air bag recall. The dealer did not state if the parts were available. The dealer did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. The manufacturer could not provide an estimated date for when the contact's vehicle would receive the recall repair. The NHTSA campaign numbers were not provided. The contact was not experiencing a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw 325i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14v428000 (air bags) and 15v318000 (air bags); however, the parts for the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw 325i. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags). The parts needed for the recall remedy were still not available and the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 bmw 325i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v428000 (air bags); however, the part needed to perform the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2015
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 bmw 325i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15v318000 (air bags) and 14v428000 (air bags); however, the parts needed to perform the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2015
“On three different occasions the brakes were used to slow down and/or stop and afterwards they continued to be engaged while stepping on the accelerator. One time the brakes were smoking. After turning the vehicle off and restarting the vehicle the problem went away. Took the vehicle to a bmw dealership who said that they could not find anything wrong with the vehicle or the brakes. After the last time, I could feel the heat on the front left wheel where as all the other wheels were not as hot.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2015
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 bmw 325i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags); however, the part needed to perform the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 bmw 325i. 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 recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not included. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 07/27/16*lj updated 07/28/16.*jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 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 2005 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 2005 BMW 325I reliable?
NHTSA has 71 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 BMW 325I. The most complained-about area is air bags (46% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 BMW 325I problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Does the 2005 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.