repaired · 2021 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2004 BMW 325ciProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 68 owner complaints about the 2004 BMW 325ci, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-318 the manufacturer reports only 32% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 21, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: OSX, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 BMW 325ci has problems
68 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
41Air bags
9Power train
5Exterior lighting
5Electrical system
3Seats
2Visibility
2Fuel system, gasoline
1Equipment
1Engine and engine cooling
66 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 41 | 0 |
| Power train | 9 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 1 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 2 | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 0 |
| 6 other systems | 6 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2004 BMW 325ci recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2017 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.
Best & worst years
2004 vs. every other 325ci year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 325ci median. How we score
'00'01'02'03'04'05'06
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2004 BMW 325ci, and the recalls they led to.
- DELAYED TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENTNo recall
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14V-668
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 13V-172
In owners' words
What 325ci owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The TAKATA airbags were replaced April 8, 2021, by Reeds Import, Tampa FL. Please save a tree and stop sending recall notices. Thank you. Mark
AFTER RECALLED AIR BAGS REPLACED, ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER NEW AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND DIAGNOSED AS PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR MAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. JUST RANDOMLY THE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. I SEE THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN BMWS AND THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR OTHER MODELS.…
I CALLED MY DEALER LAST YEAR TO SCHEDULE TO FIX MY RECALL ON MY CAR. UNFORTUNATELY I DID NOT WENT TO MY APPOINTMENT. NOW ONE OF THE BAGS EXPLODED, AND I CALLED THE DELEGAR AGAIN TO DO MY RECALL, BUT TO MY SURPRISE THE HAVE MY CAR IN RECORDS AS REPAIR!! AND I TOLD THE THAT NEVER HAPPENED. THEY…
Own a 2004 325ci?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.