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, 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.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Jan 21, 2015
I PURCHASED THE CAR, I NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS WHERE DIM. I WENT OUT AND GOT NEW BULBS FOR MY CAR. I DIDN'T HELP AT ALL! I CAN BARELY SEE AT NIGHT AND I HAVE TO USE TO FOG LIGHTS JUST TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. IT IS ALSO UNLAWFUL TO DRIVE WITH MY FOG LIGHTS ON. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT THE ROOT CASE OF MY HEADLIGHT BEING AS DIM AS THEY ARE, DO TO THE REFLECTIVE BOWL BEING BURNT OUT IN THE HEADLIGHT IT UNIT. THE COST TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS IS INSANE $1000.00 FOR A SET, JUST TO BE ABLE TO SEE AT NIGHT. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. IT IS SO BAD, THAT I OFTEN DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO PUT MY SAFE IN A BAD SITUATION. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jan 17, 2015
PURCHASED CAR USED. UPON DRIVING IT AT NIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOTICED TO BE VERY DIM. BULBS WERE CHECKED TO BE THE CORRECT WATTAGE AND COLOR TEMPERATURE. PLASTIC REFLECTOR DISH WAS SEEN TO BE BURNED OUT (NOT REFLECTING LIGHT FROM THE PORTION ABOVE THE BULB. *TR
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
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.
Exterior lighting, Jan 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330I. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, BOTH PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PROJECTOR HEADLIGHT LENSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
Electrical system, Jan 9, 2015
I WAS NOT ABLE TO UNLOCK MY CAR WITH MY CAR KEY. I WAS ABLE TO HEAR THE CLICK SOUND ON PRESSING THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE KEY BUT NOTHING WAS HAPPENING. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES CAR GOT UNLOCKED. NOW I'M HAVING THIS PROBLEM ON/OFF BASIS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL BMW DEALER. AFTER DIAGNOSE THEY SAID I HAVE A FAILED GENERAL MODULE WHICH WILL COST ME AROUND $1000. THIS IS WAY TOO MUCH FOR CAR FOR IT'S TOTAL VALUE OF AROUND $7000. THIS IS SCARY SINCE I'M NOT ABLE TO TRUST THE LOCKING SYSTEM ON MY CAR. SOMETIME I'M NOT ABLE TO LOCK AT ALL AND AT SOMETIME I'M NOT ABLE TO UNLOCK ANYTHING. *TR
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
Visibility, Dec 29, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REARVIEW MIRRORS WERE DISTORTED. WHILE DRIVING DURING NIGHT, THE MIRROR WOULD DISPLAY DOUBLE OBJECTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MIRRORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Exterior lighting, Dec 26, 2014
BI-XENON PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS HAVE VERY POOR ILLUMINATION OUTPUT AND ARE UNSAFE. APPARENTLY, THE UNIT USES A PLASTIC REFLECTIVE BOWL THAT BURNS OVER TIME DUE TO THE HEAT OF THE LIGHT BULB THEREFORE LOSING ITS REFLECTIBILITY. THE STANDARD HALOGEN FOG LAMPS IN THE LOWER BUMPER MUST BE USED AS HEADLIGHTS BECAUSE OF THE ALMOST NON EXISTENT OUTPUT OF THE ACTUAL HEADLIGHTS. THE ONLY THING THE BI-XENONS ARE GOOD FOR AT THIS POINT IS SHOWING THAT A LIGHT IS INDEED ON SO THAT THE POLICE WONT ISSUE A CITATION. BUT AS FAR AS ILLUMINATING THE ROAD, THEY DO NOT. *TR
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
Suspension, Dec 18, 2014
REAR SPRING BROKE! COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT A SPRING COULD BRAKE. I LOOKED UP ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND WAS AMAZED THAT THE INTERNET IS FULL OF COMPLAINTS. A BROKEN SPRING CAUSES HANDLING PROBLEMS AND CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO GO OUT OF CONTROL CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT BMW KNOWS OF THE ISSUE AND THE FAULTY DESIGN. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT A CAR COMPANY THAT CHARGES SO MUCH FOR A CAR WOULD NOT OWN UP TOO SUCH A LARGE PROBLEM AND RECALL ALL OF THE AFFECTED CARS. PLEASE HELP US. *TR
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.
Exterior lighting, Dec 12, 2014
THE HEADLIGHT REFLECTORS ON THIS CAR (AND OTHER OF THIS YEAR MODEL) ARE MANUFACTURED BY ZKW AND THEY HAVE FAILED CAUSING VERY LOW, UNSAFE LEVELS OF LIGHT OUTPUT. THE REFLECTORS ARE BURNT AND CRACKED. THE ONLY WAY TO GET ANY REASONABLE OR SAFE LIGHT OUTPUT FOR NIGHT DRIVING IS TO USE THE FOG LIGHTS AND/OR TO HOLD ON THE PASS TO FLASH LIGHTS. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION AND I AM SURPRISED THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AMONG SOME BUT MOST USERS WILL NEVER REALIZE WHAT IT CASING POOR, UNSAFE LIGHTING AND PROCEED WHILE UNKNOWINGLY ENDANGERING THEMSELVES AND OTHERS. *TR
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.