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, Mar 19, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330I. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH AT NIGHT THE VEHICLE HEAD LAMPS WERE DIM AND HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE AHEAD . THE CONTACT STATED HE REPLACED THE HEAD LAMP BULBS HIMSELF, BUT HE STILL FINDS IT DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT. HE HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 134,000. UPDATED 5/20/2010 *CN UPDATED 07/19/10*JB
Seats, Mar 15, 2010
HEATED SEAT ARE MELTING THRU LEATHER AND MAKING BURN HOLES .....BURNS LEGS EVEN ON LOW SETTING. *TR
Seats, Mar 15, 2010, fire
WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 BMW 325CI SPORT DOWN THE ROAD SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, LOOKED DOWN MY HEATED SEAT CAUGHT FIRE, BURNT MY LEG, ALMOST WRECKED TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. NOW MY SEAT HAS A HUGE BURNT HOLE IN IT AND CANT USE SEAT HEATERS. BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SEAT ARE DOING THE SAME THING!!!! MY CAR ONLY HAS 45000 MILES ON IT. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALLLLL!!!!! *TR
Visibility, Mar 8, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330XI(N/A). WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING HIS VEHICLE HE NOTICED A LOUD POPPING SOUND, AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR VIEW MIRRIOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR HAD LIQUID MISSING INSIDE OF IT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84000.
Electrical system, Mar 1, 2010
I WANT TO REPORT A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION COILS IN THE BMW 330XI MODEL MADE IN THE YEAR 2004 THAT RESULTS IN REDUCED IGNITION FIRING POWER. THE ENGINE RUNS ROUGH AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT ILLUMINATES. BMW HAD A RECALL ON IGNITION COILS FAILURE IN 2005 AND 2006 ON SOME MODELS BUT THIS PROBLEM NOW SURFACE ON OTHER MODELS AS WELL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Feb 23, 2010
THE VEHICLE IS A 330CIC WHICH A PURCHASED IN 2007, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM & OXYGEN SENSORS. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 28, 2010
I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 BMW 330CI WHEN SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY ENGINE STOPPED WORKING, WHICH RESULTED IN NO ENGINE POWER, NO POWER BRAKES AND NO POWER STEERING. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALER WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED.*CW
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 25, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LOOSING POWER AND THE FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY; ALTHOUGH THERE WAS FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE FOR $967.30. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 91,261.
Power train, Electrical system, Nov 30, 2009
AT AROUND 20K MILES, THE SMG (SEQUENTIAL MANUAL GEARBOX W/ PADDLE SHIFTERS) ON MY '04 325CI BEGAN EXPERIENCING MANY OF THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT I'VE READ ABOUT REGARDING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AFTER A COLD NIGHT, THE SMG WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. IT WOULD KEEP "CLUNKING" OVER AND OVER, CONTINUALLY LOUDER, UNTIL I SHIFTED BACK INTO NEUTRAL. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO BMW, WHERE THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANNY. AT 83K MILES, I'M STARTING TO NOTICE SOME OF THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. ADDITIONALLY, WITH BOTH TRANNYS, THE CAR DELAYS ITS ACCELERATION FOR ABOUT A SECOND OR TWO WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP. THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM. ON TOP OF THAT, MY ALTERNATOR JUST WENT OUT AFTER A COLD NIGHT. IN MY OPINION, BMW'S (AT LEAST MINE) DO NOT LIKE THE COLD! *TR
Vehicle speed control, Nov 25, 2009, crash
MY 2004 BMW 325XI SEDAN WAS ABOUT TO CAREFULLY BACK INTO A SERVICE BAY FROM JUST OUTSIDE THE GARAGE DOOR. AWARE OF THE NEED FOR PRECISION AND CARE (THERE WERE PEOPLE AND ITEMS NEAR THE BAY), I SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, THEN VERY GENTLY STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THERE WAS A MOMENTARY HESITATION, THEN THE CAR BEGAN TO GO BACKWARD SLOWLY FOR ABOUT A HALF SECOND AND THEN, WITHOUT ANY ACTION ON MY PART, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ROARED TO LIFE AND THE CAR WENT BACKWARDS AT TREMENDOUS SPEED. WITHIN ABOUT TWO SECONDS IT HAD GONE BACK SOME 40+ FEET AND, BECAUSE I HAD TURNED THE WHEEL A BIT BEFORE MOVING THE CAR, THE REAR PIVOTED ALMOST 90 DEGREES AND RAN INTO A GARAGE SIDE WALL ANOTHER 40 OR SO FEET AWAY. AN EMPLOYEE MAY HAVE BEEN BRUSHED AS THE CAR HIT THE WALL NEAR HIM. THE EVENT HAPPENED SO QUICKLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY THAT I HAD NO TIME TO EVEN STEP ON THE BRAKE. I AM A SKILLED DRIVER AND AT NO TIME DID I STEP HARD ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. MAJOR DAMAGE TO TRUNK, REAR PANEL AND TWO DOORS OCCURRED. IN MY CA 50 YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE HAD ONLY ONE PREVIOUS ACCIDENT. THAT WAS IN FEBRUARY 2007 WHEN, AS I SHIFTED INTO REVERSE IN AN ICY PARKING LOT, A GENTLE PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR RESULTED IN A SUDDEN RACING OF THE ENGINE AND RESULTED IN VERY RAPID BACKWARD RUSH OF THE CAR. IT HIT A BRICK WALL BEHIND IT AND RESULTED IN MAJOR REAR END DAMAGE. IT WAS THE VERY SAME CAR AS IN THE 2009 ACCIDENT DESCRIBED ABOVE. THE 2007 EVENT WAS ATTRIBUTED TO ICE ON THE PAVEMENT AND NOT FURTHER INVESTIGATED. THE CAR WAS THEN FULLY REPAIRED BY BMW IN ROCHESTER NY. *TR
Visibility, Nov 17, 2009
A LIQUID FORMS IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WHICH HINDERS THE ABILITY TO SEE WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. THEN SOME OF THE LIQUID DRAINS FROM THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND ALL OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE' RUINING THE LEATHER. BMW REFUSES TO REPLACE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 10, 2009
UNRELIABLE TAILLIGHT/BRAKELIGHT/TURN SIGNAL FUNCTIONING IN 2004 BMW 325XI. PROBLEM BEGAN IN EARLY 2008. LIGHTING INDICATORS KEPT COMING ON SUGGESTING TAILLIGHTS WERE OUT. REPLACED ALL APPLICABLE BULBS SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR THEN FINALLY BROUGHT TO DEALER. THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE SEEN MANY OF THESE INSTANCES WHERE THEY NEED TO REPLACE CARRIER, HARNESS AND ADD A GROUND WIRE TO FIX THE ISSUE IN ORDER TO GET LIGHTS WORKING AGAIN. DANGEROUS AT NIGHT. UNFORTUNATELY NO RECALLS, HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR ITEM AND IF A DEALERSHIP NEEDS TO GO BACK IN AND CHANGE WIRING TO MAKE IT WORK, THAN IT'S SIMPLY A DESIGN FLAW AND THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, $700 LATER, I HAD TO GET IT FIXED TO ENSURE SAFE DRIVING. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 2, 2009
REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY (RIGHT SIDE). DASH WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES. ALL LIGHTS IN ASSY. WORK. REMOVE TAIL LIGHT ASSY, SCREW ALL BULBS OUT AND IN, REPLACE PLUG AND WARNING LIGHT IS OUT. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY WAS INFORMED OF A SILL THAT APPLIED ONLY IF WIRING OR PLASTIC ASSY WAS OBVIOUSLY DAMAGED! FAULT OCCURS RANDOMLY AT VARIOUS INTERVALS FROM WEEKLY TO MONTHLY.. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 19, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325XI. THE WIRE THAT PLUGS INTO THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TAIL LIGHT HARNESS BURNED WHICH MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE DRIVER TO ALERT OTHERS OF HIS INTENTIONS REGARDING DIRECTION OF TRAVEL AND SPEED. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN # 10020856(EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS) SUMMARIZES THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 59,770. UPDATED 12/09/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE SAME FAILURE HAPPENED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT GROUNDING WHICH CAUSED THE BURNOUT OF THE TAIL LIGHT WIRING.
Seat belts, Aug 26, 2009
SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION. 2004 BMW WITH 44000 MILES. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 26, 2009
THIS IS A FORMAL PETITION FOR A SAFETY DEFECT INVESTIGATION. MY 2004 BMW 325XI HAS A LEFT TAIL LIGHT THAT DOES NOT WORK BECAUSE OF A POOR CONNECTION AT THE REAR LAMP CONNECTOR (THE GROUND WIRE RECEPTACLE AND HOUSING HAVE BURNT OUT BECAUSE THE GROUND IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH FOR THE CURRENT). MY RIGHT TAIL LIGHT STILL FUNCTIONS BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS SIDE BURNING OUT AS WELL AND POSING A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. BMW HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN (SI B 63 03 06) WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE AND SAYS THAT THE CAUSE IS "MINOR CORROSION AT THE 8-PIN REAR LAMP CONNECTOR CREATES HIGH RESISTANCE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CONNECTOR HOUSING." BMW HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL AND I AM WORRIED ABOUT GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT WITHOUT A PROPERLY FUNCTIONING TAIL LIGHT. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 9, 2009
AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS DEFECTIVE LIGHT BULBS (ONE FROM TWO DIFFERENT SETS FAILED WHEN ONE SET WAS INSTALLED FOR MY TURN SIGNAL AND THE OTHER FROM MY BRAKE LIGHTS), BUT AS I BEGAN TO DO MORE RESEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND THAT OTHER PEOPLE WERE HAVING AN ISSUE SIMILAR TO MINE. THEY REPORTED THAT THERE SEEMED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT WOULD CAUSE CORROSION AND A LOOSE CONNECTION. SO I DECIDED TO CHECK MY CAR OUT AS WELL AND DISCOVERED THAT THE PROBLEM HAD AFFLICTED MY VEHICLE AS WELL. I THEN FOLLOWED THE LINK TO THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN RELEASED BY BMW, AND THE PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING IS JUST AS THEY HAVE DESCRIBED. ONE OF THE 8-PIN REAR LAMP CONNECTORS HAS MELTED CAUSING A LOOSE CONNECTION AND MY CAR CONTINUING TO TELL ME THAT I HAVE A DEAD BULB, WHEN IN FACT IT IS THE CONNECTION. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 2, 2009
I HAVE A 2004 BMW 325I. THE REAR INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TELLING ME THE LIGHT WAS OUT. THE LIGHT WAS NOT OUT. I HAD TO GET A STATE INSPECTION AS I LIVE IN VIRGINIA. THE DEALER WOULD NOT PASS MY CAR DUE TO THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR BEING ON. THE ESTIMATE WAS $367. I DECLINED THE WORK AND TRIED TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG ON MY OWN. I DISCOVERED YOU ALL STARTED AN INVESTIGATION ON 4/9/09 ON THIS ISSUE. I ALSO FOUND INTERNAL DOCUMENTS FROM BMW ON THE WEB DESCRIBING THE "DEFECT". THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH GROUNDING WIRES AND IT CAUSES MELTING AND CORROSION. THIS IS DANGEROUS. THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND ARE RIPPING OF THE PUBLIC FOR ROUGHLY $350 TO $400 A TAIL LIGHT TO FIX THE DEFECT. THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE A PART NUMBER FOR THE EXTRA GROUND WIRE. THE SAY IN THEIR DOCUMENT TO PURCHASE "BROWN WIRE" FROM A LOCAL SOURCE AND CHARGE $1 TO $2 FOR IT. I HAVE LOOKED INSIDE MY TAIL LIGHT AND IT IS MELTING IN SPOTS. I AM WORRIED ABOUT A FIRE AND FEEL THAT BMW SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THEY HAVE ADMITTED A DEFECT. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. HERE IS THE DOCUMENT HTTP://WWW.BMWTIS.COM/TSB/BULLETINS/BULLETIN_GRAPHIC_TEMP/B630306G.HTM. *TR
Tires, Apr 20, 2009
I RECENTLY REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES ON MY PASSENGER CAR (2004 BMW 325XI). AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON WHICH TO BUY, WE BELIEVED THE RATING IN CONSUMER'S REPORTS AND PURCHASED 4 CONTINENTAL PRO CONTACT TIRES (ORDER WAS PLACED ON 3/3/2009 AND THE TIRES WERE INSTALLED AT TIRE RACK ON 3/6/2009). I HAD A SERVICE CALL ON THIS CAR IN FEBRUARY (2/10/2009) AND THE RECORDED MILES FROM THE VOB SERVICE DEPARTMENT WERE 29,750. ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT (4/18/2009), THE MILES ON THIS CAR WERE 30,906. THEREFORE, THE NEW TIRES HAD FAR LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON THEM. AT ABOUT 8:15 PM ON 4-18-2009, WE HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT (RIGHT REAR TIRE) GOING CLOSE TO 70 MPH ON I-95 IN MARYLAND. THE STEEL SIDEWALL COMPLETELY SEPARATED ON THIS TIRE. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND STRUGGLED TO GET THE CAR OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. ALTHOUGH IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS (IT WAS DARK AND LOTS OF TRUCKS AND CARS WERE SPEEDING ON THE HIGHWAY) WE EXITED THE CAR BECAUSE WE WERE CONCERNED ANOTHER VEHICLE MIGHT REAR END IT (EVEN THOUGH THE FLASHERS WERE ON). WE CALLED THE POLICE BECAUSE WE WERE HAVING TROUBLE GIVING THE EXACT LOCATION ( WE WERE NOT BY A MILE MARKER) TO A TOWING SERVICE. THE POLICE DID NOT COME OUT. WE EVENTUALLY GOT A TOW TRUCK TO CHANGE THE TIRE. LUCKILY MY SPARE WAS FULL SIZED AND IN GOOD SHAPE. MY RIM AND THE TIRE ITSELF DO NOT LOOK LIKE THERE WAS A MAJOR ROAD HAZARD. WE BELIEVE THE TIRE FAILED. AFTER THE BLOW OUT INCIDENT, MY AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHT IS LIT. WE DON'T KNOW IF THE ABS SYSTEM HAS BEEN AFFECTED. ALTHOUGH WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED (THIS WAS VERY SCARY) NO ONE WAS INJURED. WE ARE TRYING TO GET A RESPONSE FROM THE TIRE INSTALLER (TIRE RACK) AND THE TIRE MANUFACTURER (CONTINENTAL). *TR
Air bags, Mar 31, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN AN OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Exterior lighting, Mar 25, 2009
1. OVER THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE THE XENON BULBS ARE HOT ENOUGH TO BURN THE PLASTIC REFLECTOR THAT SHINES THE LIGHT ON THE ROAD. AS THIS REFLECTOR BOWL BURNS INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLE LIGHT OUTPUT IS SEVERELY DIMINISHED BY AT LEAST 60-70% THIS POSED A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE TO MYSELF AND OTHERS. 2. THE HEADLIGHTS MADE BY ZKW WERE INSTALLED ON BMW SEDAN'S MODEL YEARS 2003-2004 ONLY. IT IS A CONSTANT OCCURRENCE AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. I CANNOT SEE THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME WITHOUT MY FOG LIGHTS. 3. I WAS FORCED TO PURCHASE TWO NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE PRICED AT $1,000 PER SIDE. THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE WHICH IS VERY TROUBLESOME FOR THOUSANDS OF OWNERS OF THIS MODEL YEAR CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 25, 2009, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAULTY LAMP WARNING INDICATOR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS THAT PLUGS INTO THE REAR OF THE LAMP HARNESS FOR THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING HAD A FAULTY GROUND IN THE CONNECTOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIRES COULD NOT TAKE THE HEAT DISTRIBUTION, WHICH CAUSED THE WIRES TO FRY INSIDE THE CONNECTOR. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED THE TURN SIGNALS AND REAR LAMPS TO NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURES; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS PERTAINING TO THE ISSUES (NHTSA ITEM NUMBERS 10025585 AND 10020856). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.
Air bags, Mar 9, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATORS REMAIN ILLUMINATED FOR BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Air bags, Jan 17, 2009
THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG ON 2004 BMW 325I 4-DOOR SEDAN WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING FOR NO REASON. NO ONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, NO IMPACT TO CAR, WHEELS, OR ANYTHING. TRAVELING ABOUT 38 MPH. *TR
Air bags, Dec 16, 2008
I HAVE A PROBLEM ABOUT FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG,BELT TENSIONER AND FORCE LIMITER. DURING DRIVING I'VE GOT A WARNING DISPLAYED ON MY HUD. I HAD BROUGHT TWICE TO DEALER,THEY SAID FIXED,BUT AFTER ONE WEEK LATER THE WARNING LIGHT COME BACK AGAIN. THEY KEEP SAID THAT I NEED PAY FOR FIX IT. IS THIS RECALLS PART? I THINK IT IS SAFETY DEFECTS. THIS MODEL:BMW 2004 530I PLEASE HELP. THANKS, *TR