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 325iProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 147 owner complaints about the 2004 BMW 325i, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-428 the manufacturer reports only 29% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 16, 2025. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 BMW 325i has problems
147 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
62Air bags5 crash/fire/injury
44Exterior lighting5 crash/fire/injury
21Electrical system5 crash/fire/injury
6Engine
6Visibility
5Latches/locks/linkages
4Visibility/wiper
4Structure
3Seats
2315 other systems8 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 62 | 5 |
| Exterior lighting | 44 | 5 |
| Electrical system | 21 | 5 |
| Engine | 6 | 2 |
| Visibility | 6 | 1 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 4 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 1 |
| 15 other systems | 23 | 8 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2004 BMW 325i 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 · 2016 Q1
Air bags
Do not driveRisk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator…
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…
no report yet
Exterior lighting: brake lights
Risk. INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS.
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 325i 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 325i median. How we score
'92'93'94'95'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
5 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2004 BMW 325i, and the recalls they led to.
- REAR LAMP ILLUMINATIONNo recall
- Rear Lamp IlluminationLed to recall 11V-438
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14V-668
- REAR LAMP ILLUMINATIONLed to recall 11V-438
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 13V-172
In owners' words
What 325i owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owned a 2004 BMW 325i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V018000 (Air Bags) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list as she no longer own the vehicle. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
THE GROUND WIRE ON MY BREAK LIGHT HAS BURNED THROUGH THE 8 PIN CONNECTOR NOT ONLY IS THIS LIMITING MY ABILITY TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS IT IS A MAJOR FIRE HAZARD THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING A RECALL SERVICE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP I DO NOT BELIEVE. THE PROPER STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM…
I WAS DRIVING BY MYSELF ON THE FREEWAY AND A RUBBLE THE SIZE OF A BASKETBALL WAS ROLLING TOWARDS MY PATH. I DO NOT KNOW IF IT FELL FROM A CONSTRUCTION VEHICLE OR IT ALREADY HIT ANOTHER CAR AND THAT THE RUBBLE JUST RICOCHET TOWARDS ME. ANYWAY I WAS GOING 65 MILES PER HOUR AND WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE…
Own a 2004 325i?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.