2005 BMW 3 Series
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 227 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 21 3 Series model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 8 involved a crash and 11 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: air bags
118 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Apr 14, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. 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 NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/17/2016*LJ UPDATED 06/14/16.*JB
Air bags, Apr 14, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. 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.
Air bags, Apr 11, 2016
TAKATA RECALL: DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG. WE HAVE RECEIVED 2 NOTICES OF DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS SEPTEMBER 2014 AND MAY 2015. WE HAD THE PASSENGER REPLACED BUT HAVE WAITED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FOR OVER A YEAR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BUY ONE MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR THAT IF WE DIDN'T FEEL SAFE DON'T DRIVE IT. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD WE CAN HAVE IT DISCONNECTED. I JUST WANT THE PROBLEM FIXED AND MY WIFE TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE HER CAR SAFELY. RIGHT NOW HER LIFE IS IN DANGER EVERY TIME SHE DRIVES HER CAR. CAN YOU HELP US WITH THIS ISSUE?
Air bags, Apr 7, 2016
TAKATA RECALL IT HAS BEEN ALMOST A YEAR SINCE THE RECALL ON MY DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG WAS ISSUED AND THEY HAVE STILL NOT REPLACED IT.
Air bags, Apr 4, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V31800 (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.
Air bags, Mar 29, 2016
I RECEIVED A RECALL IN JULY 2015 AND THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE A REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM.
Air bags, Mar 7, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. 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 NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Mar 1, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (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.
Air bags, Feb 20, 2016
TAKATA RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 15V-318: DRIVER-SIDE FRONT AIR BAG MODULE DATED JULY 2015. BMW REPORTS NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AS OF THIS DATE. HOW LONG ARE WE EXPECTED TO WAIT?
Air bags, Feb 19, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. THE DEALER, LIFE QUALITY MOTOR SALES INC OF BROOKLYN NEW YORK AND BMW OF NORTH AMERICA LLC REFUSE TO COMPLETE THIS TAKATA PASSENGER AIRBAG RECALL ON MY VEHICLE
Air bags, Feb 18, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 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. UPDATED 11/07/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED ON 10/19/16 AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS REPLACED ON 05/8/15. UPDATED 12/13/16.*JB
Air bags, Feb 10, 2016
BMW ADVISED ME IN JULY 2015 THAT DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG MODULE HAS SAFETY PROBLEMS AND THEY WOULD REPLACE IT AS SOON AS THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. I CALLED THE DEALER IN SAN MATEO,CA BUT THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE THE PART. WHY ARE THEY SITTING ON IT. BMW IS LIABLE FOR THIS PROBLEM.
Air bags, Feb 10, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 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.
Air bags, Jan 27, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325XI. 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 REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOLS CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ...UPDATED 02/19/16 *BF UPDATED 04/05/16.*JB
Air bags, Jan 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Jan 19, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL 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.
Air bags, Jan 13, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 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 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Jan 5, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/23/16*LJ *TR
Air bags, Dec 22, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 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 NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Dec 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 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 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, Dec 9, 2015
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS WERE 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.
Air bags, Nov 20, 2015
TAKATA RECALL FOUR MONTHS AGO I RECEIVED A WRITTEN NOTICE FROM BMW USA THAT MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 15V-318), BUT THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. OVER FOUR MONTHS HAVE PASSED AND I HAVE HEARD NOTHING FURTHER ON THIS RECALL FROM BMW USA OR MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE ORIGINAL NOTICE THAT I RECEIVED INDICATED THAT I COULD NOTIFY NHTSA IF THIS MATTER WAS NOT RESOLVED WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME. I AM DOING SO WITH THIS MESSAGE AND ASKING WHAT RECOURSE I HAVE IN GETTING THIS MATTER ADDRESSED?
Air bags, Nov 16, 2015
PER MY LETTER FROM BMW, I AM TO NOTIFY NHTSA THAT BMW IS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE AIRBAG RECALL SITUATION WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. I RECEIVED THE RECALL LETTER IN JULY 2015 AND CALLED BMW TODAY 11-16-15 TO FIND OUT THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THEY WILL RECEIVE PARTS TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG.
Air bags, Nov 2, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAG) 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ *TR
Air bags, Oct 14, 2015
I RECEIVED A WRITTEN RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC, IN JULY 2015 ABOUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEFECT THAT COULD RESULT IN "METAL FRAGMENTS STRIKING THE FRONT DRIVER ... [AND] POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH" IF THE AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED. I ASKED THE DEALER TO REMOVE THE FAULTY AIRBAG, LEAVING ME WITH LAP AND SHOULDER RESTRAINT, AND INSTALL THE CORRECT AIRBAG MODULE WHEN IT WAS RECEIVED. I WAS TOLD THAT, BY LAW, AIR BAGS COULD NOT BE REMOVED AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT DO SO. I FEEL THAT MY REQUEST WAS VALID UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, WOULD NOT BE A VIOLATION OF THE LAW UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, AND WAS A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION SINCE, AS OF OCTOBER 14, 2015, THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT NEW BAGS WILL BE RECEIVED IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE DEALER'S POSITION RESULTS IN MY HAVING TO DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT COULD KILL ME IN A COLLISION AT NO MORE THAN 25 MPH, THE SPEED I WAS TOLD WOULD CAUSE ANY AIRBAG IN THAT CAR TO DEPLOY. THERE HAS BEEN NO AGREEMENT BY THE DEALER OR BMW USA TO PROVIDE, AT NO COST TO ME, ANOTHER VEHICLE FOR MY NORMAL AND CUSTOMARY USE. MORE THAN ENOUGH TIME HAS PASSED TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM SINCE, EVEN PRIOR TO THE OFFICIAL WRITTEN RECALL NOTICE, BMW KNEW THAT SPECIFIC PART TO BE DEFECTIVE AND NOT SUSCEPTIBLE TO SHOP REPAIR. THIS POSITION IS SUPPORTED BY THE FACT THAT AN EARLIER RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND RELATIVELY QUICK REPLACEMENT WAS MADE. I AM NOW GOING ON THREE MONTHS WITH NO ASSURANCE THAT A REMEDY WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, AND BMW'S ADMISSION THAT USE OF THE DEFECTIVE AUTOMOBILE EXPOSES ME TO SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.