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, Mar 17, 2015
I DROVE MY CAR OVER A VERY MINUSCULE CRACK IN THE ROAD AT AN EXTREMELY LOW SPEED AS I WAS MAKING A TURN AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE CAR DID NOT HAVE A PASSENGER AT THE TIME BUT THE EXPLOSION OF THE AIRBAG SIMULTANEOUSLY BLOCKED MY VIEW OF THE RIGHT SIDE WINDOW WHILE I WAS MAKING A TURN, PUT ME INTO A STATE OF SHOCK AND CUT ALL POWER FROM MY CAR. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN THE ONLY PERSON IN THE CAR WHILE THIS HAPPENED AND I WAS ALSO FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO NOT HAVE CRASHED INTO ANYTHING WHILE MY LIFE WAS PUT IN SUCH SEVERE DANGER FROM THE STATE OF CHAOS THIS AIRBAG CAUSED. I CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND THEY HAD STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MATCHING MY CAR'S VIN NUMBER, THEY SAID THAT THE RECALL ONLY COVERS THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG AND NOT THE SIDE AIRBAG! *TR
Air bags, Mar 17, 2015
AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT APPARENT CAUSE. DISORIENTED DRIVE ENDED UP SWERVING TO CURB BEFORE COMING TO A REST. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED FROM A BROKEN NOSE AND BRUISES TO THE FACE AND WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE . BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER WERE WEARING SEAT BELT. DRIVER PROBABLY WAS SPARED ANY INJURY AS SHE IS NEAR SIX FOOT AND CAR SEAT IS SET BACK FURTHER. THERE WAS NO ALCOHOL INVOLVED IN THE INCIDENT, POLICE ARRIVED TO THE SEEN AS ISSUED NO TICKETS OR CITATION AS THEY WERE DRIVING WITHIN THE SPEED LIMIT AND WERE NOT DRIVING RECKLESS. ROAD WAS A 4 LANE DIVIDED ROAD STRAIGHT. *TR
Air bags, Mar 16, 2015
PASSENGER-SIDE -CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT PROVOCATION. THE CAR WAS NOT IN A COLLISION OF ANY KIND. I DO NOT RECALL ANY ROAD SURFACE IRREGULARITY.THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON I-95 IN MARYLAND. *TR
Air bags, Mar 11, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Mar 4, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325XI. 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, Mar 4, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A MANUFACTURERS RECALL RELATED TO THE 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 NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Feb 26, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325CI. 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 RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Feb 23, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Feb 19, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V154000 (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 VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Feb 18, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE 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, Feb 18, 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 FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Feb 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE TIMEFRAME OF THE RECALL REPAIR AND WANTED THE ISSUE RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Air bags, Feb 13, 2015
I FOUND OUT THAT THE AIR BAGS IN MY CAR WERE RECALLED IN OCTOBER AND CONTACTED BMW OF SARASOTA TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR, THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE THE PARTS IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS. IN NOVEMBER I RECEIVED THE OFFICIAL RECALL LETTER FROM BMW USA AND AGAIN CALLED BMW OF SARASOTA TO FIND OUT WHEN THEY WERE GOING TO FIX THE CAR. THEY SAID MY NAME WAS ON A LIST AND THEY WOULD CALL ME WHEN THEY HAD THE PARTS. IT BEEN FOUR MONTHS AND I STILL HAVE NOT HEARD FORM THE BMW DEALERSHIP ABOUT REPLACING THE AIRBAGS. *TR
Air bags, Feb 12, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325XI. 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, Feb 12, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325XI. 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, Jan 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 340I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR TO BE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Jan 28, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO 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, Jan 27, 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 NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Jan 26, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325IT. 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 NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. ## VIN PASSED ## BMW 325IT 2004 ##
Air bags, Jan 26, 2015
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT RE COPY OF A LETTER ADDRESSED TO CEO AND PRESIDENT OF BMW OF NORTH AMERICA LUDWIG WILLISCH EXPRESSING DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE LACK OF RESPONSIVENESS AND FAILURE TO COMPLETE REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE AIR BAG RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST 2014. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *JB UPDATED 03/12/15*JB
Air bags, Jan 23, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED 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.
Air bags, Jan 23, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Jan 22, 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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Jan 22, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE RECALL 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.
Air bags, Jan 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. 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. UPDATED 3/3/15*CN UPDATED 03/177/15*JB