2005 BMW 325I Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other 325I years
- Far more complaints than other years 6th of 15 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 71 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 BMW 325I. That ranks 6th out of 15 325I model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (33 complaints, 46%), typically at around 99,500 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 2 fires, 4 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 5 defect investigations involving it.
- 71owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 5NHTSA investigations
- 3complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2005 BMW 325I problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 33 | 46% | 99,500 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 18 | 25% | 88,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 11 | 15% | 72,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 4 | 6% | 65,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 4% | 5,300 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 3% | 6,006 | — | — |
| Tires | 2 | 3% | 18,750 | — | — |
| Visibility | 2 | 3% | 33,700 | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 1% | 140,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1% | 140,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1% | 22,378 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1% | 109,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1% | 99,830 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 1% | 22,500 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2005 BMW 325I recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not drive
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air bagsDo not drive
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleDo not drive
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: 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 occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.
Exterior lighting:brake lights; exterior lighting:tail lights; exterior lighting:turn signal
Problem: Bmw is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi vehicles manufactured from september 1, 2001, through march 1, 2005. Over time, resistance in the electrical contacts may cause one or more rear lamp functions (tail light, brake light, and/or turn-signal), within the vehicle's body panel, to stop working.
Risk: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions. This could cause a vehicle crash without warning.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on february 15, 2012. Owners may contact bmw customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA15001) — opened Feb 24, 2015, still open, led to recall 14V668.
- Air Bag Inflator Rupture (PE14016) — opened Jun 11, 2014, closed Mar 2, 2015, led to recall 13V172000.
- Rear Lamp Illumination (EA09019) — opened Dec 18, 2009, closed Sep 28, 2011, led to recall 11V438000.
- Rear lamp illumination (PE09036) — opened Aug 7, 2009, closed Dec 22, 2009, led to recall 11V438000.
- Rear lamp illumination (DP09002) — opened Apr 8, 2009, closed Aug 6, 2009.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The complaint was filed on behalf of the contact's mother. The contact's mother owned a 2005 BMW 325i. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, the contact's brother noticed that the vehicle was on fire. The contact's brother used a nearby water hose and extinguished the…
The contact owns a 2005 BMW 325I. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the passengerâs side air bag warning illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V018000 (Air Bags) and related the failure to the recall. The…
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw 325i. The contact stated that there was a drastic reduction in speed while operating the vehicle. The contact was uncertain if the fuel system, electrical system, or engine was the source of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle would hesitate and fail to…
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw 325i. While the contact's daughter was driving 65 mph, the driver side curtain air bag and front driver's side door air bag deployed without warning or impact. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to bmw of ontario (1350 auto center dr, ontario, ca 91761)…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 bmw 325i. The contact received notification of a manufacturer's recall for the drivers side air bag. The dealer stated that the parts were available and completed the recall repair. The contact also received a notice for a passenger side air bag recall…
Other BMW 325I years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 325I | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 325I | 1 | 3 |
| 2010 325I | 0 | 3 |
| 2009 325I | 0 | 3 |
| 2008 325I | 1 | 3 |
| 2007 325I | 1 | 3 |
| 2006 325I | 515 | 7 |
| 2005 | 71 | 4 |
| 2004 325I | 147 | 4 |
| 2003 325I | 199 | 7 |
| 2002 325I | 162 | 6 |
| 2001 325I | 151 | 6 |
| 2000 325I | 1 | 2 |
| 1999 325I | 0 | 1 |
| 1995 325I | 31 | 2 |
See all BMW 325I problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2005 BMW 325I?
Owners most often report air bags, exterior lighting, electrical system problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 33 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2005 BMW 325I?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2005 BMW 325I a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 325I model years, the 2005 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.