2004 BMW 3 Series
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 558 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 21 3 Series model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 26 involved a crash and 23 involved a fire. 29 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: air bags
210 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, Air bags, May 16, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUES. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Apr 26, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT DUE TO THE FACT THERE HAD BEEN NO INCIDENT REPORTS REGARDING THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG, THEY WERE NOT PLACING THE SAME RUSH ON THE REPAIR AS THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Apr 21, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Feb 25, 2017
TAKATA RECALL
Air bags, Feb 25, 2017
TAKATA RECALL FIRST THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS RECALLED, AFTER WAITING OVER ONE YEAR, IT WAS REMOVED AND REPLACED. NOW THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG HAS BEEN RECALLED. WE RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY. WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR OVER TWO YEARS! NO CONTACT, NO REPLACEMENT. WE CONTINUE TO LIVE IN PERIL OF THE LETHAL DEPLOYMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG AND BMW JUST SAYS WAIT?
Air bags, Feb 6, 2017
TAKATA RECALL FIRST I SHOULD SAY THAT THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT ABOUT AN INCIDENT. THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE FAILURE OF BMW TO PROVIDE A TIMELY REPLACEMENT FOR THE THIRTEEN (13) YEAR OLD DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG IN MY 2004 BMW 330I, WHICH HAS SPENT ALL OF ITS LIFE IN A HIGH ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY LOCATION (HOUSTON, TEXAS). I FIRST CONTACTED BMW ON APRIL, 26, 2016 REGARDING THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL ON MY 2004 BMW 330I. THEY FIRST OFFERED TO PERFORM AN INTERIM REPAIR OR AN ALTERNATE PROVIDED VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE INSURANCE COMPANY INFORMED ME THAT THE REPLACEMENT VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER MY CURRENT POLICY. I FOLLOWED UP AGAIN ON JULY 15, 2016, AND BMW INFORMED ME THAT INTERIM REPAIRS WERE NO LONGER BEING OFFERED BECAUSE FINAL REPAIR PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE SHORTLY. THEY SAID I WOULD RECEIVE A NOTICE IN THE MAIL LETTING ME KNOW WHEN I COULD TAKE MY VEHICLE IN TO MY LOCAL BMW CENTER FOR REPAIR. I HAVE VERIFIED THAT MY ADDRESS AND CONTACT INFO IS CORRECT WITH BOTH BMW AND THE REPAIR CENTER IN HOUSTON, TEXAS. HOUSTON, TEXAS IS A HIGH ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY AREA AND THIS CAR IS 13 YEARS OLD WITH THE ORIGINAL AIRBAG STILL INSTALLED. I DRIVE THIS CAR EVERY DAY TO AND FROM WORK IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS INSIDE THE CITY OF HOUSTON. I BELIEVE BMW HAS HAD AMPLE TIME TO PROCURE A REPLACEMENT AIRBAG, AND I HAVE CALLED THEM AND WASTED SEVERAL HOURS OF MY PERSONAL TIME ON THIS STILL UNRESOLVED ISSUE. IN SHORT I BELIEVE BMW IS STALLING WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF OLDER MODEL YEAR AIRBAG REPLACEMENTS, BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THESE VEHICLES ARE "END OF LIFE" AND THERE IS LITTLE INCENTIVE FOR BMW TO FIX THEM. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE HAS LOW MILEAGE FOR ITS AGE: EIGHTY THOUSAND (80,000) MILES, AND THE LACK OF AN AIRBAG REPLACEMENT WILL DIMINISH THE RESALE VALUE OR MAKE IT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO SELL.
Air bags, Jan 25, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS), 14V428000 (AIR BAGS), AND 11V438000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Jan 25, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. THE DEALER (BRAMAN BMW) ITS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATE TIME TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS
Air bags, Jan 20, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. 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 VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Jan 17, 2017
1-10-2017 APPROX. 5:15PM. DRIVING HOME ON I-80 FREEWAY, RAINY WEATHER, 5PM TRAFFIC, SO I WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 55MPH, THERE IS SOME ROUGH ROAD BUT NOT REALLY ANY POTHOLES. I DROVE OVER THE BAD ROAD AND THE DRIVER CURTAIN AND DOOR AIRBAGS DEPLOYED THERE WAS NEVER ANY IMPACT BUT THE ROAD DID SHAKE THE CAR. THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR THAT FROM THE ROAD. I DRIVE THE SAME ROUTE HOME IN OUR OTHER CAR DAILY AND IT NEVER SETS THE AIR BAG OFF OR ANYONE ELSE DRIVING THAT EXTREMELY BUSY FREEWAY. *TR
Air bags, Jan 13, 2017
TAKATA RECALL NHTSA RECALL NUMBER:15V318 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 14V428
Air bags, Dec 29, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. 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 CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Dec 12, 2016
TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A LETTER DATED JULY 2015 CONCERNING THE RECALL OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. I CALLED MY LOCAL BMW ON 11/24/15 AND THEY SAID THEY PUT MY NAME ON THE LIST AND WOULD CALL ME WHEN THE REPLACEMENT CAME IN. I CALLED AGAIN ON 4/14/16 AND [XXX] SAID SHE WOULD CHECK TO MAKE SURE MY NAME IS ON THE LIST AND WOULD CALL ME BACK WHEN THE PARTS ARRIVED. IT'S BEEN A YEAR AND A HALF AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A CALL BACK. THIS IS SO CONCERNING TO ME AS THIS CAR IS MY MAIN MODE OF TRANSPORTATION AND I AM SO AFRAID I WILL HAVE A FRONT END COLLISION RESULTING IN DEATH OR DISMEMBERMENT. IF THAT SHOULD HAPPEN I OR MY ESTATE WILL MOST CERTAINLY SUE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Dec 10, 2016
TAKAYUKI RECALL A FEW YEARS BACK, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG.(POTENTIALLY LETHAL CONSEQUENCES IF DEPLOYED). LAST YEAR, I RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL, THIS TIME FOR THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG.I RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY AND WAS PLACATED WITH THE PROMISE OF REPLACEMENT. IT HAS BEEN EIGHTEEN MONTHS NOW AND THE DEALER ASKS ME TO BE PATIENT. I RECENTLY FOUND THAT IT MAY TAKE UNTIL 2020!!! FOR ANY REPLACEMENT!!! I ASK, SIMPLY WOULD ANY PRUDENT PERSON DRIVE MY VEHICLE? LIVING WITH THE THREAT OF DEATH FOR FOUR MORE YEARS? WHAT AM I TO DO? I WANT A SAFE REPLACEMENT AT BMW'S EXPENSE UNTIL MY VEHICLE CAN BE REPAIRED. YES MY VEHICLE IS 12 YEARS OLD ( 60,000 MILES) AND YES I LIVE IN WHAT CONSIDERED A "HUMID" ENVIRONMENT! HELP!
Air bags, Dec 9, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Nov 16, 2016
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
Air bags, Nov 7, 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.
Air bags, Oct 13, 2016
TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A AIR BAG RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW IN JUNE 2015 AND ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE IN SEPTEMBER 2016.OVER A YEAR + I HAVE BEEN CALLING SOUTH BAY BMW IN TORRANCE CA. AND THEY KEEP ON TELLING ME THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS YET. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME..
Air bags, Oct 12, 2016
TAKATA RECALL LETTER DATED AUG. 2016 STATES "WE HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS TO COMPLETE THIS RECALL". WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR (SOUTH MOTORS BMW), THEY STATED THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART FOR MY CAR AND DON'T KNOW WHEN IT WILL BE AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Oct 5, 2016
TAKATA RECALL RECEIVED LETTER FROM BMW DATED SEPTEMBER 2016 STATING "FINAL REMEDY AVAILABLE" FOR RECALL 15V-318. CALLED DEALER TO SCHEDULE IMMEDIATE REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PART NEEDED HAS NOT YET BEEN RECEIVED AT DEALERSHIP. THE REPAIR CAN NOT BE MADE YET. THEY SAID THEY WILL PUT MY NAME ON A LIST TO BE CALLED WHEN THE PART IS RECEIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT.
Air bags, Oct 4, 2016
"TAKATA RECALL" I RECEIVED NOTICE OF THE RECALL BY MAIL ON 8/24/16 STATING THAT I NEEDED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS REPLACED. I THEN PROCEEDED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT ON AUGUST 29TH WITH GLOBAL IMPORTS BMW LOCATED AT 500 INTERSTATE N PKWY, ATLANTA, GA 30339. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT IN STOCK AND WOULD NEED TO BE ORDERED. HOWEVER THE RECALL NOTICE DID STATE THAT THE PARTS WERE IN STOCK AND READY TO BE INSTALLED. I WAITED 2 WEEKS AND NEVER RECEIVED A FOLLOW UP PHONE CALL ON THE STATUS OF THE AIR BAGS. I THEN CALLED GLOBAL BMW AGAIN, AND THEY HAD NO RECORD OF ME CALLING, AND CLAIMED THAT THEY NEEDED TO ORDER THE AIRBAGS. THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE RE-OCCURRED ON MY FOLLOW UP PHONE CALLS ON SEPTEMBER 12TH AND 23RD. THEN FINALLY ON OCTOBER 3RD I PLACED ANOTHER FOLLOW UP PHONE CALL WHERE ONCE AGAIN THEY DID NOT HAVE MY INFORMATION, BUT DID HAVE A DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG IN STOCK. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT SHE WOULD BE CHECKING ON THE STATUS OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND GIVE ME A CALL. I CALLED BACK THE NEXT DAY TO CHECK, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE NOT SURE WHEN THEY COULD OBTAIN A PASSENGER AIRBAG. OVER A MONTH OF PHONE CALLS AND STILL NOTHING DONE. I AM LESS THAN PLEASED AND VERY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF ME AND MY FAMILY WHILE DRIVING OUR VEHICLE. IT HAS BECOME OBVIOUS THAT BMW DOESN'T CARE ABOUT FIXING THE ISSUE.
Air bags, Sep 30, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT COULD NOT GET THE RECALL REMEDIED DUE TO LACK OF COMMUNICATION FROM THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Sep 29, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. THIS COMPLAINT IS DUE TO THE SLOW RESPONSE OF NALLEY BMW IN DECATUR GEORGIA TO REPLACE MY AIRBAG. I RECEIVED MY RECALL LETTER AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE BMW DEALER ON SEPT 7TH. I WAS TOLD THAT PARTS WERE ORDERED AND I WOULD BE CALLED WHEN THEY ARRIVED. BY SEPT 16TH I HAD HEARD NOTHING AND CALLED AGAIN. NALLEY SAID THEY HAD NO RECORD OF MY HAVING ORDERED PARTS. I WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE PARTS DEPARTMENT WHERE NO ONE ANSWERED THE PHONE. SO I CALLED BMW NATIONAL CUSTOMER RELATIONS. THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT THE DEALER AND HAVE THEM GET IN TOUCH WITH ME DIRECTLY. NOTHING HAPPENED, SO TODAY VISITED THE DEALER PERSONALLY TO GET THE PARTS ORDERED. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD TAKE AN ADDITIONAL TWO WEEKS TO RECEIVE PARTS. THIS IS UNACCEPTIBLE. MY RECALL LETTER FROM BMW CLEARLY STATES "WE HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS TO COMPLETE THIS RECALL," "PLEASE CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED BMW CENTER IMMEDIATELY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS IMPORTANT FREE RECALL PERFORMED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE," AND "...METAL FRAGMENTS STRIKING THE DRIVER OR OTHER PASSENGERS POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH." BMW HAS BUILT CARS WITH SHRAPNEL GRENADES INSTEAD OF AIRBAGS AND NOW THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT FIXING IT. BMW SHOULD NOT E ALLOWED TO SELL ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE US UNTIL THEY HAVE COMPLETED ALL OF THESE CRITICAL RECALLS.
Air bags, Sep 21, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 10/28/16 *BF UPDATED 10/31/16.*JB
Air bags, Sep 20, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V428000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE RECALL 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.