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
227 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Nov 29, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INDEPENDENT SALES LOCATION THAT SOLD THE VEHICLE MADE NO MENTION OF TWO RECALLS PRIOR TO THE CONTACT PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A NOTIFICATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Nov 10, 2017
TAKATA RECALL NOT REPLACED
Exterior lighting, Structure, Sep 18, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC THAT COVERED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WIRING STARTED TO PEEL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE WIRES COULD BECOME EXPOSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,124.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Aug 29, 2017
HEADLIGHT RIGHT HAND SIDE
Air bags, Aug 8, 2017
TAKATA RECALL HELLO, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL FOR MY VEHICLE. AS I CHECKED THE NHTSA SYSTEM, IT STATED THAT BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER AIRBAG SYSTEM NEEDED A RECALL. TAKATA HAS A SETTLEMENT OPEN FOR MY VEHICLE. PLEASE INFORM ME ON THE NEXT STEP TO TAKE TO HANDLE THIS SITUATION, BEFORE THE WORST COULD HAPPEN. THANK,YOU FOR YOUR HELP. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT (678)983-6806. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Jun 29, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG AND FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF ONTARIO (1350 AUTO CENTER DR, ONTARIO, CA 91761), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT BMW WAS NOT AT FAULT, THERE WAS NO RECALL, AND THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jun 6, 2017, crash, fire
THE INCIDENT OCCURRED 6-5-2017. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ON IGNITION START, THE CAR'S ENGINE WAS UNUSUALLY LOUD AND REVVED UP. UPON SHIFTING THE AUTOMATIC GEAR TO REVERSE, THE CAR SELF-ACCELERATED IN REVERSE WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS. ATTEMPTS TO REPEATEDLY BREAK DID NOT WORK, SO GEAR WAS SHIFTED TO DRIVE TO MOVE FORWARD AND AVOID A COLLISION INTO A NEIGHBORHOOD HOME THAT WAS BEHIND THE PARKED CAR. UPON CHANGING GEAR TO DRIVE, THE CAR CONTINUED TO SELF-ACCELERATE FORWARD, AND AGAIN BRAKES DID NOT WORK. IN FORWARD MOTION, AT HIGH SPEED THE CAR WENT OVER THE CURB AND HILLY GROUND. ATTEMPT TO SHIFT NOW TO PARK ALONG WITH BRAKE DID NOT WORK. TO AVOID MASSIVE ACCIDENT AND COLLISION WITH PARKED CARS AHEAD, THE DRIVER TURNED THE WHEELS TOWARD A UTILITY POLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CAR STOPPED ONLY AFTER A COLLISION WITH THE UTILITY POLE. THE CAR WAS SMOKING IN THE BACK AND WAS STILL REVVING WHEN STOPPED. ACCORDING TO THE DRIVER, CAR WAS MOVING AT SPEED 60 MPH. NO FLOOR MATS WERE MISPLACED NEAR DRIVER PEDALS. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GET HELP, AT WHICH POINT 911 CALL WAS MADE. DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO FAIRFAX HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM. DRIVER SUFFERED FRACTURED NOSE AND TEARS IN FACE THAT REQUIRED SURGICAL REPAIR AND SUTURES. EVENT REPORTED TO BMW NORTH AMERICA, 6-6-2017. MOST PEOPLE WILL TRY TO CONCLUDE THAT THIS WAS DRIVER ERROR. HOWEVER, VARIOUS MALFUNCTIONING SELF-ACCELERATION ISSUES WITH BMWS HAVE BEEN REPORTED ONLINE; INCLUDING E46 GENERATION BMWS, WHICH IS THE MODEL OF MY CAR. IN CASES WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS SUCCESSFULLY SOLVED (FOR BMWS), REPLACING EITHER THE VANOS SOLENOID SENSORS OR WHEEL SPEED SENSORS DID THE TRICK. IN UNSUCCESSFUL CASES, THE DRIVERS SIMPLY SOLD/REPLACED THE ENTIRE CAR BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIPS WERE UNABLE TO DETECT OR RECREATE THE ISSUE USING THE SOFTWARE AND TECHNIQUES THEY HAD.
Air bags, May 28, 2017
BMW OF ARLINGTON HAS HAD ME ON A WAITING LIST FOR OVER A YEAR TO COMPLETE THE AIRBAG RECALL. THEY DO NOT SEEM TO CARE IF THIS MANDATORY RECALL GETS DONE OR NOT.
Air bags, May 17, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT THAT CONTAINED THE AIR BAG FAILED TO OPEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,360. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Exterior lighting, Apr 8, 2017
PASSENGER HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM REFLECTOR IS BURNT OUT DUE TO FAULTY MATERIAL BEING USED. REFLECTOR IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC AND NORMAL HEAT FROM BULB MELTS THE PLASTIC. THIS MAKES IT VERY UNSAFE AND DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT. THIS SEEMS TO BE EXTREMELY COMMON ON THE INTERNET. THE SOLUTION IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND DUE TO THIS COST,MOST PEOPLE WILL NOT FIX AND DRIVE UNDER THIS UNSAFE SITUATION. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND HOLD BMW RESPONSIBLE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 17, 2017
I PRESENTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER A FEW YEARS AGO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT KEPT TELLING ME A BULB WAS OUT AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT ALL THE BULBS WERE WORKING. I HAVE REPLACE THE REAR TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY DUE TO THE PRONG WHERE STARTING TO MELT. SO I CALL BMWNA AND THEY TOO IGNORED MY FIRST REQUEST FOR THE RECALL ON THE 2005 BMW REAR TAIL LIGHT HAZARD, I HAVE SINCE TRIED TO CALLED SEVERAL TIMES AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT WITHIN THE RECALL TIME FRAME BUT IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT MY CAR IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ALL THE OTHERS ONES HAVE HAD AND WISH TO GET THIS POTENTIAL HAZARD FIXED BECAUSE IF THE LIGHT ON THE DASH WILL READ ONE THING BUT THE TAIL LIGHT IS SHOWING SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO THOSE TRAVELING BEHIND ME. I HAVE ENCLOSED THE TWO PHOTOS OF THE BURNT CASING AND HARNESS. I FEEL THIS HAZARD IS PUTTING ME AND MY FAMILY IN GREAT DANGER BECAUSE THERE ARE NO DEFINITE SIGN WHEN OR WHERE THESE LIGHTS MALFUNCTION THE BLINKER, BRAKE, ETC .
Air bags, Feb 3, 2017
"TAKATA RECALL"- WE RECEIVED A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 2016 ABOUT THE RECALL OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND OUR CAR WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IT SAYS " YOUR VEHICLE IS ALSO AFFECTED BY A PASSENGER AIRBAG RECALL" AND " WE ARE PLEASED TO INFORM YOU THAT WE HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS TO COMPLETE THIS RECALL". PRIOR TO THE LETTER ( AUGUST 26, 2016), THIS PARTICULAR CAR HAD CHANGED OIL AT PACIFIC BMW AND CHECKED THE AIRBAG AND NOTED " RECALL: PERFORMS RECALLS/ REPLACE DRIVER'S AIRBAG/ PARTS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME/ UNABLE TO PERFORM RECALL". THEY ADVISED ME TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP ON THIS MATTER, WE CONTACTED ON THE FOLLOWING MONTH BUT THEY SAID " THERE WAS NO AVAILABLE PARTS" AND THEY WOULD CALL US ONCE IT'S AVAILABLE. IT'S BEEN 6 MONTHS NOW AND WE HAVEN'T RECEIVE ANY CALL OR ADVICE FROM THE DEALERSHIP ( PACIFIC BMW ) ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF THE SAID AIRBAG RECALL AND WHEN TO REPLACE IT. OUR CAR JUST SITTING IN THE GARAGE OR WE BARELY USE IT BECAUSE OF THIS AIRBAG RECALL AND AFRAID TO PUT MYSELF AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER. I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [XXX] TEL NO [XXX] EMAIL: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jan 20, 2017, crash
SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ABS LIGHT ON FUEL SENSOR THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING IT MULTIPLE CODES R SHOWING UP WHEN VEHICLE HAD A COMPUTER SCAN VEHICLE WAS PERFORMED. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A STREET STALLED BRAKES FAILED TO STOP STRIKING A CAR IN FRONT ON I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A USED AR DEALER IN JUNE2016 WHO ASSURED ME HIS WAS A SAFE CAR TO DRIVE AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR 2 MONTHS THE PROBLEMS STARTED FRONT STRUTS WERE BROKE BRAKES WERE GONE BACK SHOCKS R BROKE N CHECK ENGINES ON ABS LIGHT IS ON. *TR
Air bags, Jan 13, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE AND COMPLETED THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR A PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG RECALL. THE DEALER DID NOT STATE IF THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Seat belts, Dec 19, 2016
DRIVER SEAT BELT IS LOOSE AND DOES NOT RETRACT ALL THE WAY. IT STILL ENAGES IN LOCKED MODE BUT IT IS VERY LOOSE AND NEEDS TO BE MANUALLY PULLED ONTO MY CHEST TO FEEL SNUG AND SECURED.
Air bags, Dec 9, 2016
TAKATA INFLATORS, HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND BMW DEALERSHIP STILL HAS NO ANSWER
Air bags, Nov 27, 2016
TAKATA RECALL PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT ATTEMPTED FOR 10/27/16. PETER PAN BMW CANCELED APPOINTMENT AND NOTIFIED ME THE PARTS WERE NOT IN STOCK AND THERE WAS NO ESTIMATE FOR DELIVERY. 30 DAYS HAVE PASSED WITH NO UPDATES FROM THE DEALERSHIP. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS ARE AFFECTED BY THE RECALL.
Air bags, Nov 17, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER REPORTED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Nov 14, 2016
TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A NOTICE ABOUT THE RECALL BACK ON JULY 2015 AND STILL HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED THAT I CAN HAVE THIS FIXED! I HAD A TOYOTA VEHICLE THAT WAS REMEDIED VERY QUICKLY! THIS RECALL SHOULD NOT TAKE OVER A YEAR TO HAVE IT FIXED. I AM DRIVING THIS CAR AND WANT THIS DOCUMENTED!
Air bags, Oct 28, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Oct 23, 2016
"TAKATA RECALL" I RECEIVED A LETTER ON JULY 2015 THAT DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG MODULE HAD A RECALL NOTICE. I CONTACTED THE BMW PETER PAN IN BURLINGAME, CA IMMEDIATELY. THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD CALL ME WHEN THEY HAD THE PARTS AVAILABLE. I HAVE BEEN CALLING NUMEROUS TIMES AND HAD EVEN BMW OF NORTH AMERICA CALL THE DEALER. I AM FRUSTRATED AS 15 MONTHS DELAY HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID TO USE THE CAR. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT CAN BE DONE.
Air bags, Oct 19, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) 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 NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Oct 17, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) IN JUNE OF 2015. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Exterior lighting, Oct 14, 2016
INSULATION CRACKING ON WIRES TO XENON HEAD LIGHTS LEADING TO HEAD LIGHT FAILURE DUE TO SHORTING OR WIRE BREAKAGE; NOTATION ON WHEN IT HAPPENED IS ESTIMATE BECAUSE I HAD REPLACED ONE HEADLIGHT FOR THIS ISSUE SEVERAL YEARS AGO (NOT KNOWING IT WAS THE CAUSE AT THE TIME). I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AFTER NOTING SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT. PHOTOS ARE FROM WIRES TO BOTH LIGHTS. ON LIGHT THAT WAS REPLACED NEW WIRES WERE SPLICED TO OLD WIRES BY DEALERSHIP AND PHOTO IS OF ORIGINAL WIRE.
Air bags, Sep 26, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART 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 ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.