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, Oct 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. 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. UPDATED 1/19/16 LN
Air bags, Oct 6, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Oct 4, 2015
THE DEALER, BMW LIFE QUALITY MOTOR SALES INC. OF BROOKLYN, NY REFUSES TO COMPLETE THE TAKATA PASSENGER AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL B65 17 14.
Air bags, Aug 28, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330I. 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.
Air bags, Aug 3, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Aug 3, 2015
IT TOOK OVER A YEAR TO GET PARTS FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG, JUST GOT THE CAR BACK AND RECEIVED NOTICE OF A RECALL OF THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG AND NO DATE FOR REPAIR, I CAN NOT SELL THE CAR OR TRADE IT IN BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT. BMW REFUSES TO PROVIDE COMPENSATION. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUN AROUND BY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING A LOANER CAR OR A REPLACEMENT. I WANT BMW TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SO I CAN OBTAIN A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE.
Air bags, Jul 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Jun 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
Air bags, May 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014; HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FELT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 7/9/15*CN
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, May 3, 2015
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN OVER A BUMP, THE WIRING HARNESS BELOW THE PASSENGER OR DRIVER SEAT MAY BECOME LOOSE, CAUSING A HIGH RESISTANCE IN THE SRS SYSTEM AND CAUSING THE SRS ERROR LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND AN ERROR CODE TO BE SAVED, THE SYSTEM MAY BECOME INACTIVE, AND IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SRS SYSTEM MAY NOT FUNCTION, AND MAY LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED HAD THE CONNECTORS NOT COME LOOSE AND DEACTIVATED THE SRS SYSTEM. THIS HAS BEEN OBSERVED ON NUMEROUS E46'S OF VARIOUS YEARS. *TR
Air bags, Apr 27, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED 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.
Air bags, Apr 24, 2015
IN SEPTEMBER 2014, I RECEIVED AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL FROM BMW USA. [RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 14V-428: FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG]. ACCORDING TO THE NOTICE, THE AIR BAG SUPPLIER ADVISED BMW THAT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH NECESSITATING DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG, EXCESSIVE INTERNAL PRESSURE COULD CAUSE RUPTURING OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, RESULTING IN METAL FRAGMENTS STRIKING AND POTENTIALLY SERIOUSLY INJURING THE FRONT PASSENGER OR OTHER PASSENGERS. UNBELIEVABLY, BMW STATED IT DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX IT. HOWEVER, I WOULD BE NOTIFIED "AS SOON AS PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE." AFTER HEARING NOTHING FROM BMW, IN FEBRUARY 2015 I CONTACTED MY DEALER, SAN DIEGO BMW, WHO SAID I NEEDED TO BE ON A LIST SO THEY COULD CALL WHEN PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE. I GAVE THE INFORMATION AND AGAIN WAITED. IT IS NOW APRIL 24, 2015. I HAVE HEARD NOTHING MORE FROM BMW AND SAN DIEGO BMW. I WROTE TO BMW AT THE EMAIL ADDRESS PROVIDED LAST MONTH AND OF COURSE, GOT NO RESPONSE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD NOT INVOLVE 8 MONTHS OF WAITING. RECENTLY, MY MOTHER IN LAW DIED FROM JUST THIS SITUATION [NOT INVOLVED IN THIS RECALL]. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A CAR COMPANY CAN BE REQUIRED TO RECALL A CAR FOR A SAFETY ITEM AND THEN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. PLEASE ADVISE ME AS TO WHAT CAN BE DONE TO GET THIS FIXED IN A TIMELY MANNER. THANK YOU. *TR
Air bags, Apr 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (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. ..UPDATED 05/19/15*BF UPDATED 7/6/2015*JS
Air bags, Mar 9, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. UPDATED 4/20/15*CN UPDATED 06/18/19. *JB
Air bags, Feb 24, 2015
TL*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 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, Jan 25, 2015
I HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE MY PASSENGER AIR BAG REPLACED, AS PER THE RECALL, ON NOVEMBER 28, 2014. I GET THERE AT MY SCHEDULED TIME AND WAS TOLD THEY RAN OUT OF AIR BAGS AND IT COULDN'T BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT 18,000 AIR BAGS HAVE BEEN ORDERED. I REQUESTED TO BE PUT BACK ON THE LIST AND HAVEN'T HEARD NOTHING. I WOULD LIKE THE AIR BAG REPLACED. *TR
Air bags, Jan 22, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V428000 (AIR BAG) WAS RECEIVED IN SEPTEMBER 2014 AND CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V348000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN NOVEMBER 2014. 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 PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE.
Air bags, Jan 21, 2015
II RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL LETTER FROM BMW STATING THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS BEING RECALLED, BUT THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO RECTIFY THIS COLOSSAL DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Jan 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V348000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN NOVEMBER OF 2014. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL REMEDY BUT AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE MIDDLE SECTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL THAT HOUSES THE AIR BAG WAS BULGING AND PROTRUDING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED. UPDATED 03/17/15*JB
Air bags, Jan 15, 2015
BMW RECALLED THIS CAR FOR THE AIRBAG MANY MOTHS AGO. BMW ADVISED US THE AIR BAG REPLACEMENT PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF DECEMBER 2014. I HAVE CONTACTED BMW AND THEY ADVISED ME THEY HAVE NO DATES WHEN THEY WOULD BE AVAILABLE. MY LOCAL DEALER STATES I AM ON A LIST AND 40 PEOPLE ARE IN FRONT OF ME AND IT CAN TAKE IN EXCESS OF THREE MONTHS TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR IF THEY GET THE PARTS. BMW HAS BEEN UNRESPONSIVE AND CAN NOT PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION OTHER THAN THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. *TR
Air bags, Jan 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED 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, Jan 12, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR MONTHS. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PARTS AND THE REMEDY WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Jan 9, 2015
RECEIVED FRONT AIRBAG RECALL NOTICE IN MID-SEPTEMBER 2014 AND WAS TOLD I WOULD BE CONTACTED ABOUT REPLACEMENT. IT HAS NOW BEEN 4 MONTHS SINCE NOTICE AND THE CAR STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT USE OF CAR FOR 4 MONTHS. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! *TR
Air bags, Jan 8, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED 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. UPDATED 4/30/15*CN
Air bags, Jan 7, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A 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. UPDATED 02/05/15*LJ