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.
2005 BMW M3Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 12 owner complaints about the 2005 BMW M3, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 3 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 January 15, 2020. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2005 BMW M3 has problems
12 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
4Air bags
3Engine and engine cooling
2Power train
2Visibility
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 4 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 0 |
| Power train | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2005 BMW M3 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…
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
2005 vs. every other M3 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 M3 median. How we score
'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'21'22'23'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2005 BMW M3 safety ratings
2005 BMW M3 2-DR w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2005 BMW M3, and the recalls they led to.
- REAR LAMP ILLUMINATIONNo recall
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 22V-945
- REAR LAMP ILLUMINATIONLed to recall 11V-438
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14E-073
In owners' words
What M3 owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE…
TAKATA RECALL I'VE BEEN ON THE WAITING LIST FOR ALMOST A YEAR AT BMW SAN FRANCISCO. WHAT IS A "REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME" TO WAIT FOR THIS REPAIR?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE…
Own a 2005 M3?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.