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.
Visibility, Dec 21, 2011
THE BOTTOM PART OF THE REARVIEW MIRROR HAS BECOME UNUSABLE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT IS HARD TO SEE THE VEHICLES BEHIND US ONLY THROUGH THE TOP PART OF THE MIRROR. IT IS A AUTO DIMMING REARVIEW MIRROR, AND, JUDGING BY THE POSTINGS ON THE INTERNET, IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF MIRROR IN BMWS. REPLACING IT OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY PERIOD COSTS $425 PLUS TAX FOR THE PART, NOT INCLUDING LABOR CHARGES. WE HAVE HAD MANY CARS OVER THE YEARS AND WE NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE WITH A REARVIEW MIRROR; WE EXPECTED BETTER FROM BMW. WE CONTACTED BMW AND THEY SAID THAT BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT UNLESS BMW IS FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 8, 2011
IN AUGUST 2011 I GOT A WARNING INDICATOR THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH MY RIGHT TAILLIGHT. IN NOVEMBER 2011 (IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE AND OTHER WORK) BMW MECHANICS AT MY AREA DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT MY TAILLIGHT SUFFERED FROM THE SAME PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED IN THE CURRENT RECALL FOR 2003-2005 3 SERIES TAILLIGHTS THAT MAY CAUSE A FIRE. BMW TOLD ME MY VIN "DID NOT APPEAR" TO BE LISTED ON THEIR RECALL LIST AND THAT DESPITE THE ASSESSMENT OF THEIR CERTIFIED MECHANICS, I WOULD HAVE TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA IN ORDER TO GET YOU TO TELL BMW TO ADD MY CAR TO THE LIST SO THAT MY DEALERSHIP WILL FIX IT. PLEASE DO SO. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 2, 2011
EXTERIOR BRAKE AND TAILIGHT FAILURE DUE TO OVERHEATED GROUND TERMINAL. NHTSA ACTION # EA09019. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 1, 2011
REAR LEFT TAIL LIGHT AND BLINKER NOT WORKING. WIRE IS BURNED. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 30, 2011
DASH MOUNTED WARNING LIGHT INDICATED TAIL LIGHT ISSUES. CHECKED THE LIGHT AND ALL THE BULBS WERE FINE BUT THE ENTIRE TAIL LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. I THEN NOTICED THE THE BROWN WIRE IN THE CONNECTOR HAD MELTED THROUGH THE CASE AND WAS TOUCHING OTHER WIRES IN THE CONNECTOR WHICH CAUSED IT TO SHORT OUT THE ENTIRE LIGHT. THE BROWN WIRE HAS VISIBLE SIGNS OF MELTING. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY TYPE BMW AND A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. RIGHT NOW MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE NOTICE BUT I HAVE NO TAIL LIGHTS. *KB
Exterior lighting, Nov 28, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE LIGHT BULBS FOR THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BULBS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE CIRCUIT BOARD AND THE TAIL LIGHT WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 27, 2011
PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. LEFT REAR BRAKE, TAIL AND TURN INDICATOR LIGHTS WOULD GO ON/OFF. I REPLACED THE BULBS, BUT THERE WAS A LOOSE WIRE SOMEPLACE. IF THE WIRES/CONNECTORS WERE WIGGLED, THE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON UNTIL A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR I CLOSED THE TRUNK. I REPORTED THIS TO BMW AND BUT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS. BMW DID REPAIR THE PROBLEM AS A ONE TIME GOOD WILL GESTURE. ADDITIONAL VIN'S MAY NEED TO BE ADDED TO THE RECALL. *TR
Exterior lighting, Nov 9, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330I. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE EXTERIOR LIGHT WARNING GAUGE WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING BULBS BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY AND BECAME MORE CONSTANT OVER TIME. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 11/28/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH REAR LAMPS STOPPED FUNCTIONING, INCLUDING THE TAIL LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS. UPDATED 11/30/11
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 2, 2011
REAR TAILLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY WORK. NOTICED THAT THE REAR CONNECTORS, SPECIFICALLY THE GROUNDING WIRE WAS MELTED. THE TURN SIGNALS WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT TURN ON. *TR
Exterior lighting, Oct 31, 2011
THE ISSUE IS WITH AN 8 PIN CONNECTOR AND ASSOCIATED GROUND WIRING. THESE COMPONENTS ARE ALLEGEDLY OVERHEATING AND MELTING DUE TO EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL CURRENT THAT RUNS THROUGH THE SYSTEM. BMW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. *TR
Exterior lighting, Oct 28, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHT CONNECTING WIRES WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Suspension, Exterior lighting, Sep 22, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR COILS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE HAND BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE TO INDICATE IF THE HAND BRAKE WAS ON OR NOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
Visibility, Aug 11, 2011
WINDOW MOTOR BURNS OUT. HAVE HAD TWO REPLACED. *TR
Exterior lighting, Aug 3, 2011
ZKW BRAND XENON HEADLIGHTS - THE BACK OF THE PROJECTOR BOWL IS MADE OF PLASTIC (VS. METAL IN THE AL/BOSCH BRAND, ALSO USED BY BMW), WHICH OVER TIME BURNS FROM THE HEAT PUT OUT BY THE HEADLIGHTS. THE BURN TURNS THE PLASTIC FROM WHITE TO BROWN/ORANGE, WHICH SEVERELY REDUCES LIGHT OUTPUT, MAKING NIGHT DRIVING DANGEROUS. I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING AT NIGHT UNLESS MY HI-BEAMS ARE ON, WHICH IS HARD TO PULL OFF UNLESS I'M THE ONLY CAR ON THE ROAD. THIS ISSUE IS MOST PREVALENT IN 2002-2005 3 SERIES SEDANS, AND THE ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED IN THE BMW COMMUNITY. *KB
Visibility, Jul 28, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS DEFECTIVE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO VIEW WHAT WAS TAKING PLACE AT THE VEHICLES REAR. THE DEALER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000.
Exterior lighting, Jul 15, 2011
ZKW REFLECTORS ON HID HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY DEGRADE, GREATLY REDUCING THE HEADLIGHT EFFICIENCY AT NIGHT. THE PLASTIC OF WHICH THE REFLECTOR BOWLS ARE MADE DEGRADES FROM HEADLIGHT HEAT, AND THE REFLECTIVE COATING BURNS. *TT
Exterior lighting, Jul 5, 2011
IN 2002-2005 BMW 330I SEDANS WITH THE XENON HEADLIGHT FEATURE, BMW OPTED TO USE ZKW BRAND HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES INSTEAD OF AL/BOSCH BRAND ASSEMBLIES. THE ZKW BRAND ASSEMBLIES HAVE PLASTIC PROJECTOR REFLECTOR BOWLS WHEREAS THE AL/BOSCH ASSEMBIES HAVE METAL PROJECTOR REFLECTOR BOWLS. AS A RESULT OF CONSTANT HEAT AND CONCENTRATION OF THE XENON BULB ON THE PLASTIC PROJECTOR BOWL, THE REFLECTIVE SURFACE BEGINS TO DETERIORATE. SOON ENOUGH (AFTER A FEW YEARS OF USE) THE BOWLS RECEIVE BROWN/BLACKISH BURN MARKS FROM THE CONCENTRATION OF LIGHT. THE BURN MARKS NO LONGER REFLECT THE XENON LIGHT AND CAUSE THE OUTPUT FROM THE XENON ZKW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO BE FAINTER THAN ORIGINAL STATE. NUMEROUS INDIVIDUALS ON THE BMW CAR FORUMS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND HAVE MADE NOTE THAT THIS IS THE CAUSE OF THEIR FAILURE. NOTE: SOME 2002-2005 330I SEDANS DID COME WITH AL/BOSCH BRAND HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. *KB
Visibility, Jun 21, 2011
ON THIS DATE MY WIFE COMPLAINED TO ME ABOUT A "BUBBLE" IN HER INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR. I LOOKED AT IT AND IT IS INDEED A BUBBLE OF AIR IN HER MIRROR. THE VEHICLE IS A 2005 BMW 330XI WITH AN AUTO-DIMMING INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR. TODAY I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 800-831-1117 AND SPOKE TO A REPRESENTATIVE WHO TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEREFORE BMW FELT NO RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR, REPLACE, OR HELP IN ANY WAY WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE PART COST FROM MY LOCAL BMW DEALER IS OVER $500.00 NOT INCLUDING LABOR FOR INSTALLATION. THIS COST IS FOR THE ENTIRE MIRROR ASSEMBLY, WHICH INCLUDES THE HOUSING THE ELECTRONICS MOUNTED ON THE HOUSING AND OF COURSE THE MIRROR ITSELF. THE SERVICE WRITER AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT HE HAS SEEN MORE THAN A FEW MIRRORS COME IN LIKE THAT, AND THAT ONE WAS EVEN LEAKING THE FLUID INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. APPARENTLY THERE IS A SEAL IN THE MIRROR THAT HAS RUPTURED AND IS NOW LEAKING AIR INTO THE SPACE BETWEEN THE GLASS PLATE AND THE MIRROR SURFACE ITSELF. THE RESULT OF THE "BUBBLE" IS THAT NOW THE MIRROR REFRACT AND REFLECTS BRIGHT LIGHT POINTS (HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT OR SUN GLARE FROM WINDSHIELDS FOR EXAMPLE) INTO MULTIPLE SPOTS SO AS TO MAKE THE MIRROR NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO USE UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. I FEEL THAT BMW KNOWS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT THEY HAVE WITH THEIR MIRRORS AND THAT THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY WIFE'S CAR NOW. I BELIEVE THAT IF JUST THE GLASS PORTION OF THE MIRROR WERE REPLACEABLE THIS WOULD SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE THE COST OF REPAIR TO THE CONSUMER. *TR
Visibility, May 29, 2011
REAR VIEW MIRROR FAILED. CORROSIVE FLUID LEAKED OUT MELTING PLASTIC SHIFT CONSOLE AND STAINING PASSENGER SEAT. REAR VIEW MIRROR NOW DISTORTED AND UNUSABLE. AUTO NIGHT DIMMING NOT OPERATIONAL.
Air bags, May 27, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 72 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG PARTIALLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE CRASH TEST SENSOR HAD ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BUT WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN WITH THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 116,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 22, 2011
REAR TAIL LAMP ON LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE GO OUT AND COME OUT INTERMITTENTLY. STARTED AT 80,000 MILES AND HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE NOW AT 110,000. *TR
Exterior lighting, Mar 7, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS AND BLINKER LIGHTS WERE FAILING SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BULBCARRIERS, CONNECTORS, AND WIRING WERE BURNED OUT. THERE WERE NO GROUND WIRES PRESENT WHICH WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,380 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 03/31/11*LJ UPDATED 05/09/11
Suspension, Feb 28, 2011
I HAVE A 2005 BMW 325XI WITH 65,000 MILES ON IT. I AM TOLD BOTH REAR SPRINGS ARE BROKEN. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE REPAIR SHOP THAT THIS IS A MUCH TOO FREQUENT PROBLEM SEEN ON 3 SERIES BMW'S. IN 40 YEARS OF OWNING AUTOMOBILES, I HAVE NEVER BEFORE HAD ONE WITH A BROKEN SPRING. THIS SEEMS LIKE AN UNUSUAL PROBLEM AND ONE THAT WOULD BE CAUSED BY FAULTY EQUIPMENT. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jan 16, 2011
INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYS PICTURE OF CAR IN ORANGE, ALONG WITH LEFT, RIGHT OR BOTH TAIL LIGHTS. THIS WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT RECENTLY BECAME PERMANENT. LEFT TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR ALSO FLASHES QUICKLY. LEFT TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY IS NOT OPERATING (NO TAIL, BRAKE LIGHT OR TURN SIGNAL LIGHT). *LN
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 11, 2010
2005 BMW 320I . TAIL LIGHT INDICATOR WARNING CAME ON. TURNS OUT THE WIRE WAS MELTED AROUND THE METAL WHERE THE WIRE PLUGS INTO TAIL LIGHT!! VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX! *TR