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, 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.
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.
Service brakes, Oct 1, 2015
ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE BRAKES WERE USED TO SLOW DOWN AND/OR STOP AND AFTERWARDS THEY CONTINUED TO BE ENGAGED WHILE STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR. ONE TIME THE BRAKES WERE SMOKING. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A BMW DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE OR THE BRAKES. AFTER THE LAST TIME, I COULD FEEL THE HEAT ON THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WHERE AS ALL THE OTHER WHEELS WERE NOT AS HOT.
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.
Other or unspecified, Aug 27, 2015
REAR VIEW MIRROR LEAK ONTO THE TAN COLOR CONSOLE OF THE CAR. THIS IS DUE TO THE MANUFACTURES MALFUNCTION REAR VIEW MIRRORS PLACED IN MOST MODELS. THE LIQUID LEAK IS THE MAKE UP OF THE DIMMER IN ORDER TO WORK. BECAUSE THE LIQUID SPILLED OUT, THE DIMMER NO LONGER WORKS AND I HAVE A BLACK STAINED ON MY TAN COLOR CONSOLED THAT DOES NOT REMOVED AND A VERY EXPENSIVE MIRROR THAT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AS EXPECTED BY MANUFACTURE.
Exterior lighting, Aug 13, 2015
I BROUGHT MY CAR TO BMW FREEPORT WAS A TAIL LIGHT RECALL & THEY REFUSED TO FIX MY VEHICLE. SAID THE HARNESS & WIRES WERE MELTED TOO MUCH & IT WOULD COST $1400 TO FIX. NOW I HAVE A SAFETY HAZARD AS I'M DRIVING WITH NO TAIL LIGHT OR MY WIRES COULD CATCH ON FIRE. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED FOR FREE UNDER A RECALL FROM 2011.
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.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 14, 2015
WHILE ACCELERATING, THE ENTIRE CAR SHAKES VIOLENTLY BETWEEN 20-30 MPH. THIS DOES NOT OCCUR AT ANY OTHER SPEED AND IS MORE PRONOUNCE GOING UPHILL THAN DOWN. BROUGHT THE CAR IN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A BROKEN ENGINE MOUNT. THIS SAME PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED 2 YEARS AGO (JUNE 2013) FOR THE EXACT SAME THING. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A REOCCURING ISSUE. REPAIR WAS NOT MADE AND CAR IS CURRENTLY PARKED AS CAR MAY CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT IN CITY DRIVING WITH MULTIPLE STOPS AND STARTS.
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
Steering, Mar 15, 2015
I WAS COMING AROUND A CURVE AT AROUND 35 MILES PER HOUR WHEN OUT OF NOWHERE MY POWER STEERING FAILED. I NEARLY RAN OFF THE ROAD WHEN THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST BUT WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND STAY ON THE ROAD. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON AN OFFRAMP AT 50 MILES PER HOUR THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT OUTCOME. MY INTERNET RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMPS TO FAIL AS THE INTERNAL SHAFT BREAKS AWAY IN THE PUMP AND FLUID IS NO LONGER CIRCULATED WITHIN THE SYSTEM. GIVEN THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE, I DON'T SEE HOW THIS IS NOT A RECALL. *TR
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.
Exterior lighting, Feb 18, 2015
OEM ZKW XENON PROJECTORS BURNED OUT OVER TIME CAUSING EXTREMELY LOW HEADLIGHT OUTPUT DURING NIGH TIME DRIVING. EXTREMELY LOW VISIBILITY DURING RAIN IN THE NIGHT DUE TO SIGNIFICANTLY LOW LIGHT OUTPUT. *TR
Other or unspecified, Feb 5, 2015
BLOWER MOTOR AND RESISTOR WENT OUT. HAVE DONE AMPLE RESEARCH, AND THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE OF THE ABOVE VEHICLE. FAULTY EQUIPMENT IN SUCH HIGH NUMBERS WARRANTS EXPLANATION/REMEDIES IN MY OPINION. *TR
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.