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.
Exterior lighting, Nov 6, 2014
MY ZKW HEADLIGHTS DO NOT REFLECT LIGHT ANYMORE. BMW OFFER NO REPLACEMENT REFLECTOR BOWLS FOR THE HEADLIGHT, SO NO FIX IS AVAILABLE EXCEPT REPLACING THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WITH THE SAME FAULTY ASSEMBLY FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER. HEADLIGHTS PRODUCE TOO MUCH HEAT AND MELT THE REFLECTORS DEEMING THEM USELESS AND AN EXTREME DANGER. RECALL NEEDED FOR EXTREME SAFETY REASONS. I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR AT NIGHT ANYMORE. *TR
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
Electrical system, Seats, Nov 3, 2014, fire
THE HEATING ELEMENT ON MY 2004 BMW X3 CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I DON'T USE IT OFTEN, BUT HAD NOTICED A HOT SMELL WHEN I DID USE IT AND THAT IT WOULD BE TOO WARM IN THE LUMBAR AND HIP REGION. THE FIRE ACTUALLY BURNED ABOUT A DIME SIZE HOLE IN THE DRIVER SIDE LEFT SEAT PANEL (UNDER THE THIGH). AFTER READING OF MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SAME OR WORSE EXPERIENCES, I AM GLAD I IMMEDIATELY SHUT IF OFF, ALTHOUGH IT STILL BURNED ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE LEATHER. PLEASE ADVISE ME OF NEXT STEPS I SHOULD TAKE. I HAVE SHUT OFF THE HEATER AND WILL NO LONGER USE IT. WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS, I WOULD THINK THIS WOULD RESULT IN A RECALL. THANKS FOR YOUR ADVICE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Oct 30, 2014
THE INTERNAL WIRING IN THE ADAPTIVE BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS GETS BRITTLE AND CRACKS WITH THE RISK OF SHORT CIRCUITS, POTENTIAL FIRE AND HEADLIGHT FAILURE. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 30, 2014
WIRE LOOSING COATING ON INSIDE OF ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS, CAUSING SHORTS OR BROKEN WIRES WHERE THE HEADLIGHTS AND OR TURN SIGNALS WILL FAIL TO WORK. WIRE IS VERY BRITTLE AS THIS IS ALSO ROUGHLY 20 GAUGE WIRE. THIS CAN BE AN EXTREME HAZARD ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. THIS SEEMS TO BE AFFECTING BMW'S 3/5/6/ SERIES FROM AT LEAST 2004 TO 2008 FROM MY INDEPENDENT RESEARCH. MANY PICTURES AND COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS BMW FORUMS TO DOCUMENT THIS PROBLEM. MY PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN I LOST ONE HEADLIGHT ON MY WAY HOME IN THE DARK AND AN INDICATOR CAME ON TO IDENTIFY A FAULT IN THE HEADLIGHT. ORIGINALLY I THOUGH IT WAS A BULB, CHANGED BULB AND IT STILL DID NOT WORK. FURTHER INVESTIGATION LED TO A BROKEN WIRE INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. I FIXED THE BROKEN WIRE AND THEN NOTICED TWO MORE WIRES WHERE THE COATING ON THE WIRE SEEM TO HAVE FLAKED OFF CAUSING BARE WIRE. I ALSO FIXED THOSE WIRES AND ALL WAS WELL. A DAY OR TWO LATER, THE INDICATOR CAME ON AGAIN POINTING TO THE SAME HEADLIGHT. THIS TIME THE TURN SIGNAL WAS OUT. I OPENED THE ACCESS PANEL TO CHECK THE WIRING AND NOW A FORTH WIRE HAS BEEN SEVERED, HOWEVER I CAN NOT FIX IT AS IT IS DOWN PRETTY FAR INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT AND TO REPAIR WOULD REQUIRE REMOVING THE HEADLIGHT AND TAKING IT APART. APPARENTLY BMW USED BIODEGRADABLE WIRE FOR THE HEADLIGHTS?? SOURCE OF THE HEADLIGHT IS BELIEVED TO BE HELLA. SUPPOSEDLY BMW KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT UNWILLING TO FIX UNLESS YOU PURCHASE A $800-1500 NEW HEADLIGHT. THIS IS CRAZY FOR A CAR THAT IS 10 YEARS OLD AND WELL MAINTAINED. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS YOU WILL CAN LOOSE A HEADLIGHT IN THE DARK AND MAYBE BOTH HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT, PLUS THE FACT OF BARE WIRES THAT CAN SHORT AND CAUSE A FIRE. *TR
Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2014, crash
DURING A 2-CAR COLLISION AT APPROXIMATELY 30MPH, THE FOLD-DOWN SEAT LATCHES FAILED TO KEEP THE REAR SEAT BACKS FROM OPENING, AND FOUR SCUBA TANKS CAME INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AS A RESULT. FORTUNATELY, THE REAR SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED AND THE TANKS STAYED IN THE REAR OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, SO NO INJURY RESULTED FROM THIS INCURSION INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, BUT THIS IS NONETHELESS A SERIOUS SAFETY FLAW. THIS VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM THE LEFT SIDE JUST BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE, AND THE CONTACT WITH THE CAR STRIKING IT TRAVELED REARWARD FROM THAT FIRST POINT OF IMPACT, TRAVERSING THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SMALL PART OF THE REAR DOOR (UNDER THE B-PILLAR) BEFORE THE CARS SEPARATED. THIS VEHICLE WAS UNDER HEAVY BRAKING AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION, AND REMAINED UNDER HEAVY BRAKING (ABS FULLY ENGAGED) UNTIL THE CARS SEPARATED AND THIS ONE CAME TO A STOP. *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
Exterior lighting, Oct 2, 2014
REFLECTOR BOWLS IN XENON HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY BURN AND DISCOLOR, MAKING LOW BEAM LIGHTING ALMOST NEGLIGIBLE. DOESN'T EVEN SEEM LIGHTS ARE ON. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITHOUT HIGH BEAMS ON. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 25, 2014
THIS CAR SUFFERS FROM THE KNOWN BURNT XENON LOW BEAM BOWLS, ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE ANYTHING AT NIGHT AND IS NOT SAFE. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY BMW IMMEDIATELY, HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED PROPERLY AND NEW BULBS WERE PUT IN AND DOES NOT CURE THE PROBLEM. ITS VERY COMMON FOR THESE XENON HEADLIGHTS TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM IN ALOT OF 2003+ BMW 3 SERIES. *TR
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.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Aug 25, 2014
AS REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS, THE BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS NO LONGER LIGHT UP THE ROAD. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH HEADLIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY ZKW ON 2003-2005 BMW 330 MODELS. THE REFLECTOR BOWLS ON THESE UNITS BURN OUT OVER TIME AND REDUCE THE HEADLIGHTS ABILITY TO REFLECT LIGHT. DRIVING AT NIGHT IS LITERALLY NO BETTER WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON OR OFF. I HAVE TO RELY ON MY FOG LIGHTS JUST TO SEE ANYTHING. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SAFETY ISSUE AS IT IS WIDE-SPREAD. REPLACEMENT OF HEADLIGHTS IS EXPENSIVE AT $1300 EA, THIS HAS TO BE RESOLVED BY BMW IMMEDIATELY. *TR
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.
Exterior lighting, Jul 26, 2014
THE BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS NO LONGER LIGHT UP THE ROAD. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH HEADLIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY ZKW ON 2003-2005 BMW 330 MODELS. THE REFLECTOR BOWLS ON THESE UNITS BURN OUT OVER TIME AND REDUCE THE HEADLIGHTS ABILITY TO REFLECT LIGHT. DRIVING AT NIGHT IS LITERALLY NO BETTER WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON OR OFF. I HAVE TO RELY ON MY FOG LIGHTS JUST TO SEE ANYTHING. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SAFETY ISSUE AS IT IS WIDE-SPREAD. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 22, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT WITH THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED ON, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE BRIGHT ENOUGH TO SEE PAST THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Exterior lighting, Jun 12, 2014
THE ZKW XENON LIGHTS IN THE BMW E46 CHASIS HAVE DECREASED LIGHT OUTPUT. THIS MAKES NIGHT TIME DRIVING DANGEROUS AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. THE REFLECTOR BOWL (THAT REFLECTS LIGHT ONTO THE ROAD) IS BECOME BADLY BURNT. THIS COULD ALSO START A FIRE, AS THE PIECE IS PLASTIC. *TR
Tires, Equipment, May 31, 2014
I PURCHASED 4) 225/45/17 CONTINENTAL EXTREME DW TIRES. THEY WERE INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE JANUARY 2013. THE VEHICLE IS A 2004 BMW 325 CI. IT IS GARAGED DURING THE WINTER AND WAS ON THE ROAD FROM APRIL 15, 2013 UNTIL NOVEMBER 15, 2013. IT WAS NOT DRIVEN AGAIN UNTIL APRIL 15, 2014. WHEN THE TIRES WERE REMOVED TO INSTALL NEW BRAKE PARTS IT WAS NOTICED THAT ALL 4 TIRES CONTAIN CRACKS IN THE AREA BETWEEN THE TREAD, IN LARGE AMOUNT OF AREA OF THE TIRE SURFACE. WITH THE TIRES OFF THE WHEELS, THE TIRE TECHNICIAN FLEXED THE TIRE, AS IF TO PUT A WEIGHT LOAD ON IT, AND THE CRACKED OPENED UP A NOTICEABLE AMOUNT. WHEN I PURCHASED THE TIRES I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE A TOP OF THE LINE MODEL, AND AN UPGRADE TO WHAT WAS THE OEM TIRE WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT MY TIRES HAVE A DEFECT. I PAID THE DEALER TIRE DEPOT 16 JOHN AVE. BRISTOL, CT. 06010 $169.00 TO WARRANTY THE TIRES. MY POSITION IS THAT THE TIRES DISPLAYED THE DEFECTS PRIOR TO MY NOTICE OF THEM. THEY JUST DIDN'T APPEAR LAST WEEK. I'M TROUBLED BY THE FACT THAT MY WIFE HAS BEEN DRIVING ON DEFECTIVE TIRES. I HAVE OBTAIN EVIDENCE THAT THIS DEFECT IS KNOWN TO CONTINENTAL AND IS AGENT AND OR AGENTS. AT NO POINT WERE WE CONTACTED OF THIS DEFECT BY EITHER CONTINENTAL OR IT'S AGENTS. WHY I SHOULD PAY ANY MONIES TO REPLACE TIRES THAT I PURCHASED JUST OVER A YEAR AGO, AND HAVE BEEN USED FAR LESS THAN THAT TIME, IS VERY DISTURBING TO ME. THE DECISION TO PRO RATE MY DEFECTIVE TIRES BASED ON REMAINING TREAD WEAR IS ALSO DISTURBING. WITH THE TIRES BEING DEFECTIVE, THAN THE PERFORMANCE AND TREAD WEAR COULD BE EQUALLY EFFECTED! *TR
Exterior lighting, Apr 1, 2014
THE REFLECTIVE MATERIAL IN THE XENON HEADLAMPS HAS MELTED AWAY DUE TO THE HEAT OF THE BULBS RESULTING IN DRASTICALLY REDUCED HEADLIGHT EFFECTIVENESS AT NIGHT. THIS CAUSES AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE CONDITION WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN 2003-2005 E46 BMW 3 SERIES AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER. BMW KNOWS THIS IS A DEFICIENCY AS THEY CORRECTED IT IN THEIR LATER MODELS. *TR
Steering, Mar 24, 2014
VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP EITHER WHEN GOING STRAIGHT OR MAKING A TURN (SEEMS RANDOM). EXTRA FORCE (A LOT) HAS TO BE APPLIED TO STEERING WHEEL TO TURN THE WHEEL. HAPPENS MOMENTARILY AND STEERING IS BACK TO ITS NORMAL. *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 3, 2014, fire
WHILE DRIVING IN NORMAL RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY WIFE HEARD A LOUD POP FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CAR LOST POWER, BRAKES. SHE STARTED TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN OTHER COMMUTERS STARTED TO YELL AT HERE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE, AT THAT TIME THE CABIN STARTED TO FILL UP WITH SMOKE. SHE TRIED TO LOWER THE WINDOW BUT THAT HAD LOST POWER ALSO. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR INTO THE SNOW AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO STOP IT AND THEN EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE 325XI STARTED TO BURN AND SHORTLY WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THANK GOD SHE GOT OUT OK BUT WAS TRAUMATIZED BY THE INCIDENT. SINCE THIS HAPPENED WE HAVE FOUND MANY SIMILAR FIRES DOCUMENTED ON THE WEB. *TR
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
Exterior lighting, Feb 18, 2014
ON ZKW-HEADLIGHT EQUIPPED BI-XENON BMW 3-SERIES, THE LOW BEAM PROJECTOR BOWLS ARE COATED WITH FAULTY REFLECTING MATERIAL THAT IS BURNED OFF OVER TIME, DRAMATICALLY REDUCING THE OUTPUT OF THE HEADLIGHTS. *TR