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
Air bags, Nov 2, 2015
IN MAY 2015 AFTER LEARNING THAT MY CAR HAS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS I TOOK IT TO BMW OF BUENA PARK, CA. THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS (BY THEN ONLY THE ONE FROM ONE SIDE) BECAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. THEY WANTED ME TO PAY $180 TO DIAGNOSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE RECALL REPAIR. I SPOKE TO A MANAGER AND ASKED HIM WHY THE CHARGE IF IT WAS (AT LEAST TO ME) OBVIOUS THAT THE LIGHT CAME ON BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY AIRBAGS. HE INSISTED THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSE AND REFUSED TO FIX THE AIRBAG. NOW I REALIZE THAT THE AIRBAGS FROM BOTH SIDES ARE BEING RECALLED. I CONTACTED BMW AGAIN AND THEY ARE STILL REFUSING TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS WITHOUT FIRST DIAGNOSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT. I TOLD THEM THAT THIS AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLES. I HAVE FOUND MERCHANTS SELLING DEVICES ONLINE TO CIRCUMVENT THE SENSOR THAT IS SENDING THE ERRONEOUS SIGNAL TO THE CARS COMPUTER (HTTP://WWW.EBAY.COM/ITM/161310404862?_TRKSID=P2055119.M1438.L2649&SSPAGENAME=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT). I STILL HAVEN'T GOT ANY HELP FROM BMW.
Air bags, Oct 26, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330I. 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 NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Oct 24, 2015
THE CAR IS SUBJECT TO TWO RECALLS. I HAVE BEEN CALLING BMW FOR OVER A YEAR TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUES. BMW SAYS NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE JULY 2015 RECALL 15V318 UNLESS I BRING THE CAR FOR INSPECTION. MAKES NO SENSE. BMW HAS ALSO BEEN OBSTRUCTIONIST ON THE 2014 RECALL 14V426. I LIVE 60 MILES AWAY FROM THE DEALER. 1. THEY REFUSE TO ORDER PARTS FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG RECALL UNLESS I COME IN FOR A 5 MINUTE "INSPECTION" FIRST (120 MILES ROUND TRIP). 2. ONLY AFTER THE INSPECTION, THEY WILL ORDER PARTS; THIS REQUESTS A SECOND TRIP (120 MILES) BECAUSE REPAIRS CAN TAKE UP TO 6 HOURS AND THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE WHEN PARTS FOR BOTH RECALLS WILL BE READY 3. THEY REFUSE TO PROVIDE A LOANER CAR OR A DEFINITE TIME FRAME FOR THE REPAIRS AND SUGGEST I RENT A CAR FOR UP TO A WEEK. THIS WOULD REQUIRE 3 TRIPS (360 MILES PLUS GAS AND TOLLS) AND UP TO 7 DAYS RENTAL AT $35/DAY PLUS TAX, GAS AND TOLLS ($250). SEEMS TOTALLY UNREASONABLE. MEANWHILE, I HAVE A CAR WITH TWO POTENTIAL DEADLY DEFECTS. BMW APPEARS TO BE INTENTIONALLY OBSTRUCTION OWNERS FROM EFFECTING THE REPAIRS BY CREATING AN ARTIFICIAL INSPECTION REQUIREMENT WHICH REQUIRES AT LEAST ON EXTRA TRIP TO A DEALER. OUTRAGEOUS!
Air bags, Oct 23, 2015
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE DATED JULY 2015 AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG REPLACED. BUT, SAN DIEGO AREA BMW DEALERS SAY THEY DON'T HAVE ANY REPLACEMENT PARTS. WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT MY SELF FROM A SHRAPNEL AIRBAG IN THE MEANTIME? HOW CAN I GET A REPLACEMENT AIRBAG AS SOON AS POSSIBLE? THANKS.
Air bags, Oct 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (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.
Air bags, Oct 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325XI. 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 NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT BMW HAD ONLY BEEN SHIPPING PARTS TO TWO STATES. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Sep 24, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PROVIDE THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Sep 24, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325CI. 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.
Air bags, Sep 18, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Air bags, Sep 13, 2015
I BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN FOR THE NATIONAL RECALL. WHEN I RECEIVED THE CAR BACK, THE AIR BAG WAS ON FOR THE FIRST TIME. THIS DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT. I BROUGHT IT TO ANOTHER LOCATION, WHICH FIELDS ALSO OWNS, AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME TO DIAGNOSE THIS AFTER THEY SCREWED IT UP. WHAT A RACKET. IT SPECIFICALLY STATES THE OWNER NOT BE CHARGED FOR THIS REPAIR.
Air bags, Sep 9, 2015
LETTER FROM SENATOR NELSON ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE VEHICLE AIRBAG RECALL (2004 325 CI SERIES BMW). *SMD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST 2014, REGARDING A DEFECT WITH THE AIR BAGS. HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *JB
Air bags, Jul 23, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (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.
Air bags, Jun 18, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BMW 330XI. WHILE AT DRIVING AT 5 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO VEER TO THE LEFT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE, HEAD, AND BACK. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE UPPER BODY, HEAD, BACK, NECK, SHOULDERS, AND BOTH HIPS. THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK, BACK, AND LEFT HAND. ALL THREE PASSENGERS REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND BELIEVED THE RECALL WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000.
Air bags, Jun 17, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325CI. 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.
Air bags, Jun 11, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (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.
Air bags, Jun 3, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 AND 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.
Air bags, Jun 2, 2015, crash
I SIDE SWIPED A CURB AT A WEIRD ANGLE AND IT CAUSED MY DRIVE SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SIDE AIR BAGS TO GO OFF. THE DRIVER AIRBAG EXPLODED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT BROKEN MY COLLAR BONE SEVERELY ENOUGH THAT I HAD TO HAVE SURGERY AND METAL PLATES PUT IT TO HOLD IT BACK TO TOGETHER.
Air bags, May 19, 2015
THERE ARE 2 OPEN RECALLS FOR AIRBAGS. BMW REFUSES TO ORDER PARTS (EVEN THOUGH THEY SENT ME A LETTER) UNLESS I BRING THE CAR TO A DEALER (130 MILES ROUND TRIP) FOR A 5 MINUTE "INSPECTION". THEY WILL THEN ORDER THE PARTS AND I WILL HAVE TO RETURN AGAIN (ANOTHER 130 MILE ROUND TRIP) TO HAVE THE WORK DONE. THEY ARE NICE ENOUGH TO OFFER A RENTAL CAR AT $35 A DAY BUT CAN'T TELL ME HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE. I BELIEVE THAT BMW IS INTENTIONALLY CREATING THIS "INSPECTION" OBSTACLE REQUIRING 2 TRIPS TO DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM HAVING THE WORK DONE. SHAMEFUL.
Air bags, May 15, 2015
I RECEIVED 2 NOTICES BY MAIL TO CONTACT THE BMW DEALER TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG AND WAS TOLD, DON'T CALL US WE'LL CALLYOU. THAT WAS 6 MONTHS AGO AND I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THE LOCAL BMW DEALER, "FIELD'S BMW." THREE MONTHS AGO I CALLED AGAIN AND THEY SAID THEY ARE ON BACK ORDER. I CAN'T TAKE A PASSENGER WITH ME AND FLORIDAIS SUPPOSED TO HAVE PRIORITY FOR REPLACEMENT.
Air bags, May 12, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AN AIR BAG RECALL. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Air bags, May 4, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Apr 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V348000 (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.
Air bags, Apr 8, 2015
2004 BMW 330XI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG RECALL REPLACEMENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL LETTER SHE RECEIVED STATED THE WORK WOULD BE PERFORMED FOR FREE. HOWEVER, SHE WAS CHARGED $99.50 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIR BAG. *JB
Air bags, Mar 20, 2015
I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM BMW OVER A YEAR AGO THAT I WOULD RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE FOR DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS IN THIS VEHICLE AND WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN AND WHERE TO TAKE IT FOR REPLACEMENT. TO DATE I HAVE HEARD NOTHING BACK FROM BMW. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER, THEY SAID THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT SUCH A RECALL. *TR
Air bags, Mar 18, 2015
NO INCIDENT BUT THEY ARE NOT ATTEMPTING TO FIX THE RECALL IN A REASONABLE TIME FOR THE FRONT AIR BAGS. I HAVE BEEN CONTACTING AREA BMW DEALERS FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW WITHOUT ONE CALL SAYING THEY HAVE THE PARTS OR AVAILABILITY TO GET MY CAR IN. SO I AM FORCED TO TRADE IN. *TR