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, Seats, Jan 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE SEAT WAS ADJUSTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAT WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Air bags, Jan 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 9, 2015
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE DATED SEPTEMBER 2014 FROM BMW REGARDING A DEFECT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER IN FT MYERS FL ON 10/28/14 TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO GET THE REPAIR DONE. I WAS TOLD THE PART WAS OUT OF STOCK AND ASKED TO LEAVE MY NAME AND PHONE NUMBER AND I WOULD RECEIVE A CALL WHEN IT BECAME AVAILABLE. SINCE I DID NOT HEAR FROM THE DEALER I DECIDED TO FOLLOW UP AND CALLED THEM ON JANUARY 8, 2015. I WAS TOLD THE PART WAS OUT OF STOCK. THE WOMAN SAID THEY ONLY RECEIVE SMALL QUANTITIES AT A TIME. AGAIN, I WAS ASKED TO LEAVE MY NAME AND PHONE NUMBER AND WOULD BE CALLED WHEN THE PART WAS RESTOCKED. HOW CAN BMW SEND OUT A RECALL NOTICE ASKING YOU TO CALL IMMEDIATELY TO HAVE THE NECESSARY REPAIR PERFORMED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WHEN THEY DON'T SUPPLY THE DEALER WITH THE PART? I EXPECTED MORE FROM BMW. I CERTAINLY HOPE THEY DO SOMETHING TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM AND EXPEDITE THE REPAIR! *TR
Air bags, Jan 8, 2015
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE MONTHS AGO AND BMW HAS YET TO BE ABLE TO REPLACE AIRBAG!! I DRIVE ACROSS COUNTRY TWICE A YEAR AND HAVE ALREADY MADE THE TRIP ONCE SINCE THE RECALL NOTICE. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO GET BMW TO TAKE ACTION?? I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY STILL HAVE "NO PARTS AND A LONG BACKLOG OF PEOPLE WAITING" AFTER ALL THIS TIME. *TR
Air bags, Jan 8, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325XI. 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 03/04/15*LJ UPDATED 6/15/2015 *JS
Air bags, Dec 29, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A 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. UPDATED 2/24/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON 02/03/15*JB
Air bags, Dec 19, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, 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 VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 01/13/15*LJ
Air bags, Dec 15, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BACK INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Dec 2, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325CI CONVERTIBLE. 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, Nov 29, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO INFORM WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Nov 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO INFORM WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Nov 18, 2014
ALTHOUGH I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG, THE HAS NOT CALLED WITH PARTS AVAILABILITY. SINCE THIS FAULT CAN CAUSE FATAL INJURIES IN CASE OF AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, THERE SHOULD BE NO DELAYS, OR THE DEALER SHOULD OFFER TO DISABLE THE BAG IF PARTS ARE DELAYED. SINCE I AM TOLD THAT CARS IN THE SOUTHERN U.S. WILL BE REPAIRED FIRST DUE THEIR USE IN HUMID CONDITIONS, MINE WILL BE DELAYED. IN FACT MY CAR WAS SOLD AND USED IN MEMPHIS TENN. PRIOR TO MY ACQUISITION, NOTORIOUSLY HOT AND HUMID STATE. AIRBAG IGNITER DECAY LIKELY OCCURRED. I STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT THE DEALERS OFFER TO DISABLE THE POTENTIALLY FATAL BAGS IF THEY CANNOT PROMPTLY REPAIR THEM. THANK YOU *TR
Air bags, Nov 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO INFORM WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Nov 13, 2014
I RECEIVED A NOTICE OF RECALL FROM BMW DATED SEPTEMBER 2014 ABOUT DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS. THE NOTICE SAID THAT BMW DOES NOT HAVE PARTS TO CONDUCT THE RECALL, BUT THAT BMW WOULD NOTIFY ME WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. I EMAILED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE ON OCTOBER 30, 2014 ASKING WHEN REPLACEMENT AIR BAGS WILL BE AVAILABLE. I RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM BMW SAYING THAT BMW DOES NOT HAVE PARTS TO CONDUCT THE RECALL. BMW SAID THAT, "AS PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE LATER THIS YEAR, WE WILL MAIL A FOLLOW-UP LETTER REQUESTING THAT AN APPOINTMENT BE MADE." I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY OTHER NOTICES FROM BMW. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I BELIEVE MY CAR STARTED SERVICE IN HAWAII, WHICH HAS HIGH HUMIDITY, AND HAS ALSO BEEN IN DEL MAR, CA, WHICH HAS HIGH HUMIDITY BECAUSE IT IS ON THE OCEAN. I AN VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS RECALL AND I BELIEVE BMW HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REMEDY THE DEFECT WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO GET ME A REPLACEMENT AIR BAG OR REPLACEMENT VEHICLE SO I DON'T HAVE TO USE THIS DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. THANKS. *TR
Air bags, Nov 13, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLICKERED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Nov 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE DEALER CANCELLED THE APPOINTMENT DUE TO THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DELAY AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE. *TR
Air bags, Oct 2, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 11/21/14*CN
Air bags, Sep 16, 2014
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 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 9, 2014
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2014 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HWY 92 WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HERE A LOUD THUNDEROUS EXPLOSION. AS I CHECKED MY SURROUNDINGS I THOUGHT I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A CAR ACCIDENT, SO I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND COASTED TO THE SIDE. AS I LOOKED AROUND MY SIDE AIRBAG CURTAINS ON BOTH SIDE WERE DEPLOYED AS WELL AS MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR AIR BAG. I GET OUT OF MY CAR AND INSPECT THE CAR AND NOTHING VISIBLY WAS DAMAGED. I LOOK DOWN THE ROAD AND NOTHING WAS THERE, CARS WERE FLOWING AS NORMAL AND NOT A POT HOLE IN SIGHT. CALLED BMW AND FOUND THAT BMW HAD HAS A RECALL ON CERTAIN MODELS INCLUDING MINE. *TR
Air bags, Sep 8, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE SENSOR TURNED ON AND OFF WHILE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Air bags, Aug 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Suspension, Air bags, Seat belts, Feb 27, 2014, crash
VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED FROM REAR TO FRONT AND FAILED TO PROTECT BODY NECK AND HEAD FROM IMPACTING DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. DOOR DESIGN AND FAILURE OF AIRBAG TO DEPLOY CAUSED SIGNIFICANT HEAD AND NECK TRAUMA. SEAT BELT FUNCTION TORE A/C JOINT IN RIGHT SHOULDER. BMW FAILS TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY FAULT CORPORATE OFFICES NON-RESPONSIVE TO INQUIRIES AND NOW BE THREATENED BY BMW ATTORNEY TO HAVE VEHICLE REMOVED FROM THEIR LOT. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Visibility, Air bags, Engine, Feb 27, 2014, crash
TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. AIR BAG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. AIR CONDITION FAILURE. SEVERAL ELECTRICAL COMPONENT FAILURES. INCIDENT OCCURRED AT IDLE SPEED AT STOPLIGHT. CURRENTLY WINDOW SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. WINDOW WERE SLOW TO ROLL PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. REPORTED TO BMW DENIED FOR WARRANTY COVERAGE. REAR SIDE HIGHWAY SPEED CONTACT AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY RESULTING IN MEDICAL INJURY ON OCTOBER 11TH 2013. WINDOW NOW INOPERABLE BMW STILL FAILS TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY TO DESIGN FLAW. *TR
Air bags, Feb 26, 2014
CAR HAS BEEN TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES REGARDING THE AIR BAG SENSOR ALERT. BMW DEALERSHIP DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THE SENSOR TO COME ON. I HAVE MADE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS TO BMW HEADQUARTERS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THE BMW DEALERSHIP WILL CLEAR THE ALERT OR ATTEMPT TO REPAIR IT,THEN WITHIN LESS THAN 200 MILES THE ALERT COMES ON AGAIN. I RETURN THE CAR TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP,THEN THEY WANT TO TRY SOMETHING ELSE,WHICH IS COSTING ADDITIONAL MONEY. BMW IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.I JUST HOPE THAT AN ACCIDENT DOESN'T HAPPEN WHICH WILL REQUIRE THE AIR BAG TO BE DEPLOYED. *TR
Air bags, Seats, Feb 1, 2013
NO IN PASSENGER SEAT WHEN STARTING THE CAR AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD. TURNED CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND THE LIGHT WAS OFF. WENT ABOUT 15 FEET AND THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. TURNS ON AND OFF WITH OR WITHOUT ANYONE IN THE SEAT. BMW REPRESENTATIVE STATED RECALL ID# 81074 DID NOT RELATE TO MY VIN. *TR