2005 BMW M3: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 12 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags; the 2007 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 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Evaporator core design flaw is conducive to mold and mildew buildup. Overtime, the bacteria can build up to the point where it will release into the ventilation system upon use causing unsafe health environments for both drivers and passengers. Standard cleaning procedures provided by bmw are not sufficient to prevent future occurrence.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2018
“Takata recall I've been on the waiting list for almost a year at bmw san francisco. What is a "reasonable period of time" to wait for this repair?”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw m3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v428000 (air bags) however, the part needed 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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2015
Show 4 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw m3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v428000 (air bags); however, the part needed 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2014
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 bmw m3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15v318000 (air bags) and 14v428000 (air bags); however, the parts for the 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 · Jul 2014
“While normal driving through town/highway the car will slip into neutral and cease to accelerate. Which causes a high risk maneuver to avoid traffic accidents. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2011
“2005 mini cooper s was purchased new at southbay mini, torrence ca, on 3/4/05. Car is garaged at 547 oak park residence, no crack on the night of 3/7/05. Noticed approx 8" crack on the morning of 3/8/05. Taken to dealer on 3/9/05, dealer performs "ball point pen test" on windshield crack to determine if windshield replacement would be covered under warranty, warranty is denied. States windshield problems (tsb: m5120103, ://alldata.com/tsb/85/04850253.html) have been fixed in 2005 models yet numerous owners on mini2.com and northamericanmotoring.com contradict that statement. This is a major safety issue that needs to be addressed.*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Mar 2005
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.
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.
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 M3 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 M3 reliable?
NHTSA has 12 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 BMW M3. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2005 BMW M3 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.