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
558 reports, newest first.
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.
Exterior lighting, Feb 27, 2015
ZKW HID XENON LOW BEAM REFLECTORS BURNT OR CORRODED CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN LIGHT OUTPUT THAT BMW WANTS ~$3000 TO FIX. LIGHTS WERE A PREMIUM OPTION AND CANNOT BE CORRECTED BY XENON BULB REPLACEMENT. THE OUTPUT HAS DIMMED AS TO BE UNSAFE. *TR
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.
Engine, Feb 7, 2015
VEHICLE LEAKS LARGE AMOUNTS OIL FROM VALVE GASKET COVER AND OIL FILTER HOUSING COMPARTMENT. I BELIEVE THE ENGINE BLOCK MUST HAVE LOOSE BOLTS WHICH IS CAUSING THE OIL TO LEAK AND FURTHER CAUSE A HAZARD IN A POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE DUE TO THIS ASSEMBLY OF THE ENGINE. I AM ASSUMING BMW IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND BELIEVE A RECALL SHOULD BE AVAILABLE. *JS
Exterior lighting, Feb 1, 2015
THE VERY FIRST TIME I TRIED TO DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHTTIME TO GO BACK HOME, MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE ON BOARD, AND WE WERE MORE THAN 200 MILES FROM HOME. AFTER I TURNED ON THE LOW-BEAM HEAD LAMPS AND STARTED ROLLING, I COULD BARELY SEE THE ROAD BECAUSE THE HEADLAMPS WERE NOT PROPERLY ILLUMINATING. I FLIPPED THE SWITCH SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL.' PUTTING LIVES AND PROPERTIES AT RISK, I CONTINUED DRIVING UNTIL WE GOT HOME, ALL THE WHILE DRIVING WITH THE HIGH-BEAM LAMPS ON AND APPARENTLY GETTING THE OTHERS DRIVERS ON THE ROAD FUMING. I TOOK THE CAR TO BOTH A LAMP-ADJUSTING STATION AND A BMW DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD THE LAMPS COULD NEITHER BE ADJUSTED NOR THEIR BULBS MERELY REPLACED BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WAS THE REFLECTOR BOWLS WERE DEFECTIVE AND HAD LOST THEIR ABILITY TO PROJECT LIGHT PROPERLY. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT BOTH THAT THE REFLECTOR BOWLS COULD NOT BE REPLACED INDIVIDUALLY, AND THAT BOTH (LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES) ASSEMBLIES MUST BE REPLACED AT A TOTAL COST OF MORE THAN $2000.00. MANY POSTERS IN THE BMW FORUMS HAVE VOICED OUT EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEMS, AND I WISH THAT ALL WOULD FILE A COMPLAINT TO NHTSA. I NEVER DROVE THIS CAR AGAIN AT NIGHT UNTIL I HAD ? IN AUGUST 2014 ? PURCHASED AND FINALLY RECEIVED AND INSTALLED THE HEAD LAMPS ASSEMBLIES IN OCTOBER 2014. I HAVE IN MY POSSESSION THE HEADLAMP ADJUSTING STATION'S INVOICE AND RECOMMENDATION PLUS THE RECEIPT AND INVOICE FOR THE NEW HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES THAT HAD TO BE SPECIALLY ORDERED FROM GERMANY. ON NOVEMBER 17, 2014, BY CERTIFIED MAIL, I SENT BMW OF NORTH AMERICA MY REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT, BUT I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A RESPONSE. DUE TO THIS DEFECT WHICH AFFECTS SAFETY, I STRONGLY AND RESPECTFULLY SUGGEST THAT A RECALL BE ISSUED ON THIS BMW MODEL, OR SOME SORT OF DIRECTIVE BE ISSUED FOR BMW TO REIMBURSE THOSE OWNERS 'SUCH AS I' WHO HAD ALREADY REPLACED THEIR LAMP ASSEMBLIES AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LIGHT MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 202,000. UPDATED 4/7/15*CN
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.
Exterior lighting, Jan 28, 2015
THE LOW BEAMS ON MY 2004 BMW 330I ARE VERY DIM. THEY BARELY LIGHT UP THE ROAD AT NIGHT, IF AT ALL. MY ONLY OPTION IS TO TURN ON MY HIGH BEAMS, BUT THEN I RISK BLINDING INCOMING TRAFFIC. I CONSIDER THIS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE BOWLS BMW USED TO REFLECT THE LIGHT FROM THE BULBS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND GET BURNT FROM THE HEAT OF THE BULB. DUE TO THIS FACT, I BELIEVE BMW SHOULD HAVE A RECALL FOR THE HEADLIGHTS OF E46 CARS. I DO NOT THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO FIX SOMETHING THAT IS A FACTORY DEFECT. *TR
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 ##
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 26, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY AND BY USING THE KEY FOB BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
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.