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, Dec 28, 2015
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 REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Dec 24, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 3 SERIES. 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 VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 2/4/16 *CN UPDATED 02/16/16*JB
Air bags, Dec 15, 2015
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 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.
Steering, Air bags, Service brakes, Dec 11, 2015, crash
TAKATA RECALL: I AM CURRENTLY IN COMMUNICATION WITH STATE FARM AGENT, TERRY WOOD [(434) 872-2813]. SHE HAS ASSURED ME THAT AN INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY AT THIS TIME. WE ARE STATING THAT MY BMW'S SIDE AIRBAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED AND UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING ME TO LOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY. AS I APPROACHED AND ENTERED A RIGHT TURN LANE IN AN STREET INTERSECTION LOCATED IN STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA, MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. STARTLED, I TRIED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT, WITH THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING, I WAS NOT ABLE TO SAFELY CONTROL THE VEHICLE. AFTER MAKING CONTACT WITH THE CURB, I HAD TO USE ALL MY STRENGTH TO CORRECT FROM IT AND TRY TO MAKE THE UPCOMING RIGHT TURN, BUT WITHOUT POWER STEERING, I WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE THE TURN SHARP ENOUGH LEADING ME TO MAKE A WIDE TURN INTO THE ONCOMING LANE. AND WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO BRAKE PROPERLY AND SAFELY, THERE WAS NO WAY TO AVOID THE IMPACT. ADDITIONALLY, THE MAIN AREA OF THE CAR WITH ALL THE DAMAGE (DRIVER'S FRONT) FAILED TO DEPLOY THE APPROPRIATE AIRBAG. TERRY WOOD IS MY POINT OF CONTACT WITH THIS INVESTIGATION. WE HOPE TO HAVE BMW TAKE SOME (IF NOT, ALL) BLAME IN THE INCIDENT DUE TO FAULTY AIRBAGS AND/OR UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS.
Air bags, Nov 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (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 CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/19/16*LJ UPDATED 10/24/16.*JB
Air bags, Nov 21, 2015
SAFETY RECALL FOR DIVER-SIDE FRONT AIR BAG WAS RECEIVED JULY 2015. CALLED FOR A REPAIR SERVICE APPOINTMENT EACH MONTH SINCE RECEIVING LETTER. TO DATE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT BMW DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE. HAVE NOT HAD ANY ISSUES BUT VERY DISCONCERTING TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE WHERE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH CAN OCCUR. BMW SHOULD BE MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE SAFETY RECALL AND IT CUSTOMERS WELLBEING.
Air bags, Nov 18, 2015
TAKATA RECALL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (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 NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Nov 16, 2015
TAKATA RECALL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO INDICATE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND WAS TO CHECK WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE WHEN THE RECALL REPAIRS WOULD BE SCHEDULED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Exterior lighting, Nov 10, 2015
HEADLIGHTS NO LONGER ILLUMINATE DUE TO DETERIORATING HEADLIGHT MATERIAL CONSIDERED A DEFECT DUE TO INFERIOR PLASTIC USED WHEN ORIGINALLY MANUFACTURED. LOW ILLUMINATION LEVEL CREATES A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD TO DRIVER AND PUBLIC CAUSING SEVERE INJURIES AND DAMAGE. THE HIGH COST OF REPLACING THESE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES CANNOT BE BURDENED BY THE VEHICLE OWNERS. BASED ON MY RESEARCH THIS VEHICLE CONDITION HAS BEEN REPORTED ASKING THE GOVERNING ENTITIES TO TAKE ACTION BY RECALLING THE VEHICLE AND HAVING THE MANUFACTURER CORRECT THE DEFECT.
Air bags, Nov 4, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 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 NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Exterior lighting, Nov 2, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
Air bags, Nov 2, 2015
IN MAY 2015 AFTER LEARNING THAT MY CAR HAS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS I TOOK IT TO BMW OF BUENA PARK, CA. THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS (BY THEN ONLY THE ONE FROM ONE SIDE) BECAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. THEY WANTED ME TO PAY $180 TO DIAGNOSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE RECALL REPAIR. I SPOKE TO A MANAGER AND ASKED HIM WHY THE CHARGE IF IT WAS (AT LEAST TO ME) OBVIOUS THAT THE LIGHT CAME ON BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY AIRBAGS. HE INSISTED THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSE AND REFUSED TO FIX THE AIRBAG. NOW I REALIZE THAT THE AIRBAGS FROM BOTH SIDES ARE BEING RECALLED. I CONTACTED BMW AGAIN AND THEY ARE STILL REFUSING TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS WITHOUT FIRST DIAGNOSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT. I TOLD THEM THAT THIS AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLES. I HAVE FOUND MERCHANTS SELLING DEVICES ONLINE TO CIRCUMVENT THE SENSOR THAT IS SENDING THE ERRONEOUS SIGNAL TO THE CARS COMPUTER (HTTP://WWW.EBAY.COM/ITM/161310404862?_TRKSID=P2055119.M1438.L2649&SSPAGENAME=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT). I STILL HAVEN'T GOT ANY HELP FROM BMW.
Exterior lighting, Oct 27, 2015
OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ABILITY TO PROVIDE GOOD VISIBILITY AT NIGHT HAS REDUCED DRAMATICALLY, ESPECIALLY WHEN RAINING OR WET ROADS. I MADE SURE THE LENSES WERE CLEAR AND NEW BULBS DID NOT HELP. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THRU SEVERAL FORUMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH BMWS' EQUIPPED WITH THE ZKW BRAND OF BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS. THE REASON IS THE PROJECTOR BOWELS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND OVER TIME BURN DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE HEAT GENERATED BY THE XENON BULB.SO MUCH SO THAT THE REFLECTOR BOWLS TURN BLACK INSTEAD OF SILVER AND THEREFORE CANNOT REFLECT THE LIGHT PRODUCED BY THE BULB. THE FOG LIGHTS PROVIDE MORE LIGHT OR IF THERE IS SOMEONE FOLLOWING ME THE CAR BEHIND ME PROVIDES FAR MORE LIGHT THAN MY OWN CAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO RECALL. THE ONLY WAY TO REMEDY THAT I HAVE FOUND SO FAR IS TO REPLACE THE PROJECTOR BOWLS WITHE AFTER MARKET ONES WHICH REQUIRES SOME MODIFICATIONS AT A COST OF ABOUT $800. US.
Air bags, Oct 26, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 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 NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Oct 24, 2015
THE CAR IS SUBJECT TO TWO RECALLS. I HAVE BEEN CALLING BMW FOR OVER A YEAR TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUES. BMW SAYS NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE JULY 2015 RECALL 15V318 UNLESS I BRING THE CAR FOR INSPECTION. MAKES NO SENSE. BMW HAS ALSO BEEN OBSTRUCTIONIST ON THE 2014 RECALL 14V426. I LIVE 60 MILES AWAY FROM THE DEALER. 1. THEY REFUSE TO ORDER PARTS FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG RECALL UNLESS I COME IN FOR A 5 MINUTE "INSPECTION" FIRST (120 MILES ROUND TRIP). 2. ONLY AFTER THE INSPECTION, THEY WILL ORDER PARTS; THIS REQUESTS A SECOND TRIP (120 MILES) BECAUSE REPAIRS CAN TAKE UP TO 6 HOURS AND THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE WHEN PARTS FOR BOTH RECALLS WILL BE READY 3. THEY REFUSE TO PROVIDE A LOANER CAR OR A DEFINITE TIME FRAME FOR THE REPAIRS AND SUGGEST I RENT A CAR FOR UP TO A WEEK. THIS WOULD REQUIRE 3 TRIPS (360 MILES PLUS GAS AND TOLLS) AND UP TO 7 DAYS RENTAL AT $35/DAY PLUS TAX, GAS AND TOLLS ($250). SEEMS TOTALLY UNREASONABLE. MEANWHILE, I HAVE A CAR WITH TWO POTENTIAL DEADLY DEFECTS. BMW APPEARS TO BE INTENTIONALLY OBSTRUCTION OWNERS FROM EFFECTING THE REPAIRS BY CREATING AN ARTIFICIAL INSPECTION REQUIREMENT WHICH REQUIRES AT LEAST ON EXTRA TRIP TO A DEALER. OUTRAGEOUS!
Air bags, Oct 23, 2015
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE DATED JULY 2015 AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG REPLACED. BUT, SAN DIEGO AREA BMW DEALERS SAY THEY DON'T HAVE ANY REPLACEMENT PARTS. WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT MY SELF FROM A SHRAPNEL AIRBAG IN THE MEANTIME? HOW CAN I GET A REPLACEMENT AIRBAG AS SOON AS POSSIBLE? THANKS.
Air bags, Oct 20, 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 ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Electrical system, Oct 6, 2015
THE POWER DOOR LOCK ON PASSENGER SIDE CANNOT BE UNLOCKED EITHER VIA REMOTE OR INSIDE BUTTON. WORSE, OFTEN WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED EVEN BY PULLING ON THE HANDLE FROM THE INSIDE! A PASSENGER CANNOT GET OUT OF THE CAR VIA THE DOOR. FURTHERMORE, REPEATEDLY ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THIS FIXED ALL FAIL WITHIN A SHORT TIME.
Air bags, Oct 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 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 NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT BMW HAD ONLY BEEN SHIPPING PARTS TO TWO STATES. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Sep 24, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PROVIDE THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Sep 24, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Sep 18, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Air bags, Sep 13, 2015
I BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN FOR THE NATIONAL RECALL. WHEN I RECEIVED THE CAR BACK, THE AIR BAG WAS ON FOR THE FIRST TIME. THIS DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT. I BROUGHT IT TO ANOTHER LOCATION, WHICH FIELDS ALSO OWNS, AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME TO DIAGNOSE THIS AFTER THEY SCREWED IT UP. WHAT A RACKET. IT SPECIFICALLY STATES THE OWNER NOT BE CHARGED FOR THIS REPAIR.
Air bags, Sep 9, 2015
LETTER FROM SENATOR NELSON ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE VEHICLE AIRBAG RECALL (2004 325 CI SERIES BMW). *SMD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST 2014, REGARDING A DEFECT WITH THE AIR BAGS. HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *JB
Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Sep 4, 2015
THE HEADLIGHTS ARE USELESS AT NIGHT. THE BULBS ALL FUNCTION PERFECTLY, BUT THE REFLECTOR HOUSINGS ARE "WORN" ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. I UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO REPLACE BULBS OVER THE LIFETIME OF A VEHICLE, BUT $3,000 FOR A WHOLE NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS OUTRAGEOUS! THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT THE NHTSA REFUSES TO INVESTIGATE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS DESIGN DEFECT ALL OVER THE INTERNET. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE!