KnownCarProblems2005 BMW 325i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 71 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 BMW 325i, most often about the air bags (47% of complaints, typically around 99,500 miles). It is 6th of 11 325i model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory3 recalls for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2005 BMW 325i problems
Air bags
33 complaints · 47%Half of these problems showed up before 99,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2005 BMW 325i. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The dealer repaired the vehicle according to NHTSA campaign number: 14v428000 (air bags), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 101,000.
"takata recall" I received a letter on july 2015 that driver side front air bag module had a recall notice. I contacted the BMW peter pan in burlingame, ca immediately. They said that they would call me when they had the parts available. I have been calling numerous times and had even BMW of north america call the…
Lights
18 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights.
The contact owns a 2005 BMW 325i. The contact stated that the exterior tail lights burned out. The contact was changing the bulbs twice when the bulb and the wires burned her fingers. The wires and the housing had become so hot that it also burned a hole surrounding the bulb. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id…
Problem with electrical system. Left rear brake, tail and turn indicator lights would go on/off. I replaced the bulbs, but there was a loose wire someplace. If the wires/connectors were wiggled, the lights would come on until a bump in the road or I closed the trunk. I reported this to BMW and but my VIN number was…
Electrical
11 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery.
Faulty or inadequate ground wire which burned 8-pin connectors and bulb-holders in both rear quarter panels. Dealer installed "additional ground connection to the circuit of the lamps" at no charge on 1/19/12, but I am still fighting with corporate office in nj for reimbursement of $271.35 incurred in replacing the…
Rear tail lamp on left and right side go out and come out intermittently. Started at 80,000 miles and has gotten much worse now at 110,000.
Transmission
4 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly.
- the contact called regarding a 2005 BMW x3 2.5i. She noticed the vehicle would start vibrating while driving at any speed, and the brakes would make an awful noise when applied. She also stated that radio/tapedeck/cd overheated when playing cds. The contact stated that the vehicle had about 12,000 miles when brake…
Each time I have had this problem the car has been parked for at least 6 hours. The car starts but does not engage in reverse. The car will roll back due to a slope of surface but when shifted to drive it only rolls forward but doesn't engage. I continue to push on the gas pedal and it finally "lurches" forward. This…
Brakes
3 complaints · 4%- the contact called regarding a 2005 BMW x3 2.5i. She noticed the vehicle would start vibrating while driving at any speed, and the brakes would make an awful noise when applied. She also stated that radio/tapedeck/cd overheated when playing cds. The contact stated that the vehicle had about 12,000 miles when brake…
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…
Speed control
3 complaints · 4%: the contact stated while pulling into a parking space at 2mph, there was a grinding noise followed by the vehicle lurching forward into a tree. There was extensive damage to the front of the vehicle, but no injuries were sustained. The police were on the scene, and a report was taken. The vehicle was towed to a body…
Visibility and wipers
3 complaints · 4%Rear view mirror failed. Corrosive fluid leaked out melting plastic shift console and staining passenger seat. Rear view mirror now distorted and unusable. Auto night dimming not operational.
The bottom part of the rearview mirror has become unusable. This is a safety hazard because it is hard to see the vehicles behind US only through the top part of the mirror. It is a auto dimming rearview mirror, and, judging by the postings on the internet, it is a common problem with this type of mirror in bmws.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 BMW 325i recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Fix: 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 [email protected].
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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 activit
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: turn signal
Risk: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions. This could cause a vehicle crash without warning.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Rear lamp illumination
Summary
In a letter submitted to the office of defects investigation (odi) dated august25, 2011, bmwindicated that it will conduct a voluntary recall campaign to remedy the subject vehicles.the issue involves the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel.through normal vehicle use over time, the rear lamps ground wiring and associated 8-pin connector can experience an increase of the resistance at the electrical contact points.this can lead to intermittent or permanent loss of the rear lamp functions which include tail, brake, and turn signal operation.the recall consists of modifying the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel by adding a secondary ground connection in parallel to the existing primary gr
Rear lamp illumination
Summary
Odi has received complaints from consumers stating that their tail light assembly is not properly illuminating.the tail light assembly consists of a turn signal lamp, a tail lamp and a brake lamp.the complainants have indicated that the issue is with an 8 pin connector and associated ground wiring.these components are allegedly overheating and melting due to excessive electrical current that runs through the system.bmw issued a technical service bulletin (tsb) sib-630306 on february 2007 to address the condition by adding supplementary ground wiring to the tail lamp assembly.odi is upgrading to an ea to further investigate the issue.
Rear lamp illumination
Summary
In march 2009, the office of defects investigation (odi) received a petition from mr. Mark peters requesting an investigation of rear lamp failure in model year 2002-2005 bmw 3-series vehicles.an information request letter was sent to bmw in april 2009, and odi received bmw's response in june 2009.the tail lamp assembly contains lighting for the brake lamps, tail lamps, and turn signals.a technical service bulletin (tsb) was issued by bmw in january of 2007 instructing service technicians to examine an 8 pin electrical connector for heat-related damage and to incorporate additional ground wiring to the connector.complainants have alleged that significant thermal damage to the connector and a
Questions about the 2005 BMW 325i
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 BMW 325i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (33 complaints, typically around 99,500 miles); lights (18 complaints, typically around 88,000 miles); electrical (11 complaints, typically around 72,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 BMW 325i have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 15, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the BMW 325i?
- It is 6th of 11 325i model years by number of complaints, with 71 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.