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, Jul 14, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Jul 6, 2016
TAKATA RECALL: DEALER KEEPS SAYING THEY ARE "WORKING" ON GETTING A REPLACEMENT FOR MY DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG. I THINK I AM GETTING A "RUN AROUND" BECAUSE MY AUTO IS A 2004 MODEL. PLEASE HELP ME GET THIS REPLACED.
Air bags, Jul 5, 2016
2004 BMW 325I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG MODULE RECALL 15V-318. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR, SINCE THE RECALL FIRST WENT OUT. *JB
Air bags, Jul 1, 2016
TAKATA RECALL: IN JULY, 2015 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM BMW (RECALL NOTICE 15V-318) STATING THAT MY DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG SHOULD BE REPLACED, BUT THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY AVAILABLE AND I WOULD BE CONTACTED WHEN ONE IS. I'VE HAD A COUPLE OF SERVICE APPOINTMENTS AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP (PERILLO BMW IN CHICAGO) AND EACH TIME ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY UPDATE ON RESOLUTION AND EACH TIME I WAS EITHER REFERRED TO BMW'S CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE OR POLITELY TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO UPDATE. I HAVE ALSO CALLED THE 1-800-525-7417 BMW SERVICE CENTER MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR, MOST RECENTLY TODAY (7/1/16), AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. AT THIS POINT, I AM FRUSTRATED BY THE LACK OF RESOLUTION AND WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE HELPING ME WITH THIS RECALL NOTICE. THANK YOU. *TR
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 29, 2016, crash
VEHICLE DEFECTS REPORTED OR RECALLED, BMW, OEM, OR OTHER, YET WITH KNOWN DEFECTS WAS REQUESTED TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT IS 'IMMINENT DANGER' THAT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH: AIRBAGS. BMW REPLACED DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG IN 9/ 2014 THEN PASSENGER SIDE. YET IN 2015 ACCIDENT, THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DETONATE, AND INJURY TO PERSONS/PROPERTY OCCURRED. BMW RECALLED DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG (2ND REPAIR/3RD AIRBAG) IN 2015 AND PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. BMW HAS THE 'DEFECTIVE VEHICLE' (I.E. OTHER ISSUES ENGINE, SEAT BELTS, ETC. REMAIN) AND PROVIDED A BMW LOANER CAR THROUGH THEIR AFFILIATED PARTNER (TOYOTA'S JV ALLIANCE) ENTERPRISE IN GOOD FAITH PENDING REPAIR. IN JUNE 2016, A 'CEASE & DESIST' WAS PLACED ON THE BMW, IN PART, DUE TO A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION OR INJURY (I.E. DEFECTIVE AIRBAG- EXPLOSIVE DEVICE~SHOOTING SHRAPNEL) THAT LEAVES 'DRIVER IN HARM'S WAY'. ONE COULD INFER 'ATTEMPTED MURDER' IF THE DRIVER IS PLACED BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE OR AIRBAG: MILLIONS OF RECALLS. I AM A MATERIAL WITNESS AND AM REPORTING INTIMIDATION, THREATS, HOSTILITY, AND BULLYING OVER THE BMW OR DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS. THIS HAS RESULTED IN PROFESSIONAL DEFAMATION, PERSONAL INJURY, FINANCIAL DISTRESS, AND SABOTAGE IN VARIOUS INSTANCES (TO BE REPORTED IN SEPARATE PACKAGE TO BE SENT TO INVESTIGATOR DUE TO CONFIDENTIALITY). THE MOST RECENT OCCURRED AROUND JUNE 23, 2016 WHEN BMW/ENTERPRISE RENTAL CAR STATING "GRAND THEFT" OF THE VEHICLE IN THEIR POSSESSION OR AWAITING A SWAP? SIMPLE FACT THAT BMW STATED THAT AN 'INTERIM FIX' WAS APPROVED BY DOTS BUT NEEDED SIGNED CONSENT FORMS-- WAS SENDING THEM TO ME. BMW DID NOT FOLLOW PROCEDURES, 'UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY, REMOVAL, DESTRUCTION' OF AIRBAG WITH A 'CEASE & DESIST'. ON 6/24/16 GOING TO ENTERPRISE/ALAMO-ORLANDO WAS NO ISSUE/NO UNPAID BILL. THIS DID NOT STOP CONTINUATION OF HARASSMENT OR RETALIATION (E.G. ASEF) UNCONSTITUTIONAL OR UNCIVIL CONDUCT.
Air bags, Jun 22, 2016
RECEIVED NOTICE OF RECALL 15V-318: DRIVER-SIDE FRONT AIRBAG DATED JULY 2015. AS-OF JUNE 22, 2016 THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT ABLE TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT. A DELAY OF THIS LENGTH FOR A POTENTIALLY FATAL MANUFACTURING DEFECT IS UNACCEPTABLE. CAN I HAVE THE AIRBAG DISABLED WHILE IT IS A DANGER?
Air bags, Jun 16, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Jun 10, 2016
AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHEN HITTING POT HOLE AT AROUND 30MPH. THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH MANY E46'S THAT THE AIRBAG IS TOO SENSITIVE.
Steering, Jun 7, 2016
WHEN WEATHER IS HOT STEERING BECOMES CRITICAL. DOES NOT RESPOND TO WHERE YOU STEER THE CAR. FEAR OF AN ACCIDENT CAUSES ME TO NOT USE THE CAR IN HOT WEATHER. SEEMS LIKE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL CAR, WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL BY BMW ??
Air bags, May 17, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (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 NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/13/16*LJ UPDATED 07/25/16.*JB
Air bags, May 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V286000 (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. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Air bags, May 5, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN JUNE OF 2015. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Apr 27, 2016
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSUMER RE: A COPY OF LETTER TO PRESIDENT & CEO OF BMW OF NORTH AMERICA LUDWIG WILLISCH REGARDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TAKATA AIRBAG IN HIS VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS BEEN WAITING SINCE DECEMBER 9, 2014 FOR AN AIR BAG REPLACEMENT. *JB
Air bags, Apr 27, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN JUNE OF 2015. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Apr 25, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. THE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT HAS NOT BEEN PERFORMED AS OF 04-25-16
Air bags, Apr 20, 2016
TAKATA RECALL DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG RECALLED. TOLD THAT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE (JULY 30, 2015) AT DEALERSHIP AND WILL NOTIFY WHEN AVAILABLE. STILL WAITING FOR THE PARTS AND CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY.
Air bags, Apr 19, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 AND 15V318000 (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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Apr 19, 2016
IN JULY 2015 I RECEIVED A NOTICE OF RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 15V-381: DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG MODULE. IT SAID IF DEPLOYED METAL FRAGMENTS COULD STRIKE THE DRIVER OR OTHER PASSENGERS CAUSING DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. IT SAID I'D GET A 2ND LETTER WHEN THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. I'VE NEVER GOTTEN THE SECOND LETTER, AND WHEN I CALLED MY DEALER AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS MONTH TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR THEY SAID THAT THE PARTS WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE! THAT'S ALMOST A YEAR LATER. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR BUT I HAVE NO CHOICE!
Air bags, Apr 18, 2016
NOTIFIED MANY MONTHS AGO DRIVER AIR BAG COULD KILL AND IT WAS BEING REPLACED UNDER A RECALL. I CALL EVERY MONTH TO NO HELP BY BMW. MONTHS LATER, BMW SAYS "TACATA AIR BAG COMPANY GOING BANKRUPT SO GOOD LUCK" EVER GETTING THE PART. WHY ISN'T BMW BEING FORCED TO RESOLVE THIS? SO, IF I OR ANYONE DRIVING A RECALLED CAR DIES, BMW IS WELL AWARE OF THE PRIOR PROBLEM AND IS AN ACCOMPLICE FOR AIDING AND ABETTING IN NOTHING BEING DONE FOR THE MANY BMW CUSTOMERS.
Air bags, Apr 18, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO SUPPLY THE PART WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A TIME FRAME THAT THE PART WOULD BE SUPPLIED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Apr 18, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). 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 MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/14/16*LJ UPDATED 06/16/16.*JB
Air bags, Apr 18, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Apr 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE AIR BAGS IN JULY OF 2015. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE VIN AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Apr 12, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR THE AIR BAGS; HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM 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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Apr 11, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO SUPPLY THE PART FROM THE MANUFACTURER FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A TIME FRAME THAT THE PART WOULD BE SUPPLIED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.