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, 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
Steering, Jan 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP MALFUNCTIONED. THE PUMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHAFT INSIDE THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
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
Air bags, Jan 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. 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. UPDATED 03/10/15*LJ UPDATED 6/18/2015 *JS
Exterior lighting, Dec 22, 2014, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330I. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED EXTREMELY DIMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REFLECTOR INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING MELTED AND CAUSED THE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE DIMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000...UPDATED 01/21/15 *BF UPDATED 9/11/2017*CN
Air bags, Dec 17, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WAS THE SAME EXACT AIR BAG USED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) COULD POSSIBLY HAVE OCCURRED WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG, WHICH WAS INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.
Exterior lighting, Dec 16, 2014
OEM BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS (MANUFACTURER ZKW) HAVE A BURNED OUT BOWL (REFLECTOR) THAT HAS GREATLY REDUCED THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT THAT IS PRODUCED. CHANGING BULBS HAS MADE NO DIFFERENCE. MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM IN VARIOUS USER FORUMS. *TR
Air bags, Dec 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Dec 8, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIRBAGS). 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 CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 1/21/15*CN UPDATED 01/26/15*JB
Air bags, Nov 18, 2014
I AM WRITING YOU TO TELL YOU THAT I HAVE A VEHICLE AFFECTED BY THE AIR BAG RECALL - TWICE I HAVE SCHEDULED FOR REPLACEMENT, TWICE THE DEALERSHIP HAS CALLED ME ON THE MORNING OF THE APPOINTMENT TO SAY THE PARTS ARE NOT IN STOCK. THEY ARE NOT APOLOGETIC, NOR CONCERNED FOR THE URGENCY OF THIS SITUATION. I TRAVEL A VERY DIFFICULT ROUTE INTO THE CITY - DURING RUSH HOUR - AND HAVE ASKED THEM TO AT LEAST DISCONNECT THE BAG FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE. THEY REFUSE TO DO SO. THIS EVENING THE NEWS REPORTED THAT EVEN DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS ARE BEING RECALLED. WHY IS THIS TAKING SO LONG? DO DEATHS AND INJURIES HAVE TO TOP THE HUNDRED MARK FOR CAR MANUFACTURERS AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO GET INTO HIGH GEAR OVER THIS? THE OCCASIONAL NEWS REPORT JUST ISN;T DOING IT -CAR DEALERS AND MANUFACTURERS ARE RESPONDING IN A VERY SLOW AND SEEMINGLY UNCONCERNED FASHION. AT LEAST MY BMW DEALER IS. SOME HELP WOULD BE DEEPLY APPRECIATED. *TR
Air bags, Nov 10, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325 IC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO INFORM WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Nov 5, 2014
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG IN MY ONLY CAR IS DEFECTIVE. I CALLED THE BMW DEALERSHIP IN GREENWOOD INDIANA TO SCHEDULE THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART. I WAS INFORMED THAT I WOULD BE PLACED ON A WAITING LIST SINCE THIS PART IS "BACK ORDERED". THEY PROMISED TO CALL ME AS SOON AS THE PART WAS AVAILABLE BUT COULD NOT STATE WHEN THAT CALL WOULD OCCUR. I TOLD THE GENTLEMAN THAT I MUST DRIVE A LONG DISTANCE EVERY WEEK FOR BUSINESS WITH MY STANDARD POODLE SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT. MY DOG PROVIDES SECURITY ON THESE LONG DRIVES. THE SALESMAN STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD DEPLOY ONLY IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT. I FURTHER INFORM HIM THAT THE WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF HUNTING SEASON AND THE HIGHWAY I DRIVE ON HAS FREQUENT ACCIDENTS WITH DEER RUNNING OUT ACROSS THE HIGHWAY. HE ONCE AGAIN STATED THAT THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AS LONG AS THERE ARE NO ACCIDENTS. THE IDEA OF THIS AIR BAG RUPTURING WHILE I AM DRIVING OR IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS DOES NOT MAKE ME FEEL SAFE. I ALSO AM CONCERNED THAT BMW HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS DEFECT FOR YEARS AND DID NOT SEND ME RECALL NOTICE UNTIL A MONTH AGO. BUT THE LAST INSULT IS THAT I HAVE TO WAIT AN INDEFINITE TIME TO HAVE MY ONLY CAR REPAIRED. *TR
Air bags, Nov 5, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO SPECIFY WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Nov 4, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE.
Air bags, Oct 3, 2014
AFTER 4 WEEKS OF RECEIVING RECALL NOTICE AND MANY CALLS TO BMW NORTH AMERICA THEY TELL ME THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY MIGHT BE AVAILABLE. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THIS IS A "VOLUNTARY RECALL" AND IMPLIED THAT THEY ARE IN NO HURRY TO SATISFY CUSTOMERS! THEY HAVE ALSO WARNED ME SEVERAL TIMES NOT TO DRIVE WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT! *TR
Air bags, Sep 18, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 18, 2014
THE OVERHEAD SUNROOF CONTROLS SUDDENLY FELL OUT OF THE CEILING WHILE ACCELERATING, CREATING A DISTRACTION AND LOSS OF VISIBILITY FROM THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR. THE CONTROLS/PANEL REMAINED ATTACHED BY WIRING, COMPLETELY BLOCKING THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE PLASTIC CLIPS ATTACHING THE PANEL TO THE CEILING APPEAR TO HAVE BECOME BRITTLE AND THEN FAILED. *TR
Air bags, Jun 9, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AIR BAG PARTIALLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO THE RIGHT HAND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Structure, May 1, 2014
VEHICLE LEAKS RAINWATER PROFUSELY THROUGH THE DOORS/VAPOR BARRIERS TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. RAIN WATER POOLS IN THE FOOTWELLS EXCESSIVELY. COULD POSE POTENTIAL DANGER IF FEET ARE WET AND SLIPPING ON BRAKE, CLUTCH OR GAS PEDALS. ALSO WORRIED ABOUT POOLING OF WATER AFFECTING SAFETY SENSORS/SYSTEMS LOCATED UNDER DRIVER SEAT. *TR