2004 BMW 325XI Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jun 20, 2024 · 55 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other 325XI years
More complaints than other years 3rd of 13 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 BMW 325XI. That ranks 3rd out of 13 325XI model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (30 complaints, 55%), typically at around 95,000 miles. Complaints mention 7 crashes, 1 fire, 6 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 6 defect investigations involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2004 BMW 325XI problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Air Bags30 · ~95,000 mi
Exterior Lighting9 · ~60,000 mi
Power Train7 · ~7,000 mi
Electrical System5 · ~67,625 mi
Engine4 · ~70,500 mi
Latches/locks/linkages3 · ~78,400 mi
Unknown or Other3
Seat Belts2 · ~92,500 mi
Structure2
Vehicle Speed Control2 · ~9,350 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Air Bags3055%95,000——
Exterior Lighting916%60,000——
Power Train713%7,000——
Electrical System59%67,625——
Engine47%70,500——
Latches/locks/linkages35%78,400——
Unknown or Other35%———
Seat Belts24%92,500——
Structure24%———
Vehicle Speed Control24%9,350——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)12%———
Engine and Engine Cooling12%100——
Fuel/propulsion System12%134,000——
Seats12%———
Tires12%30,906——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2016, with 14 complaints
2004: 4200442005: 112008: 1200812009: 552010: 5201052011: 552012: 2201222014: 112015: 9201592016: 14142017: 2201722018: 112019: 2201922021: 222024: 120241

n = 55 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2004 BMW 325XI recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveJan 15, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V018000 · 292,948 vehicles

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 driveJun 11, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 14V428000 · 574,007 vehicles

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 driveMay 28, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V318000 · 419,235 vehicles

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:turn signal; exterior lighting:brake lights; exterior lighting:tail lightsAug 26, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V438000 · 241,000 vehicles

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.
  • Delayed transmission engagement (DP04001) — opened Feb 3, 2004, closed May 27, 2004.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Window rolled down, but never went back up. Happened on multiple windows of my vehicle. Has been a common problem among these cars, caused me to fail inspection.

Structure · received Jun 20, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11595621

The contact’s girlfriend owns a 2004 BMW 325XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V018000 (Air Bags). The contact’s girlfriend took the vehicle to the local dealer for the recall repair. After the vehicle was repaired and the vehicle was retrieved, the air bag…

Air Bags · received Jul 13, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11424673

The contact owned a 2004 BMW 325XI. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the vehicle was struck by another vehicle on the passenger’s side causing the passenger’s side mirror to detach from the vehicle. The contact loss control of the vehicle and crashed into the median. The vehicle rolled…

Air Bags · received Jun 2, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11419329

OK. THIS CAR WAS BROUGHT IN ON 2/12/19 TO THE BMW DEALER IN APPLETON, WI. AFTER THAT BMW HAS CALLED ME 3 TIMES CLAIMING HE WASN'T FIXED. THEY WERE GOING TO CALL THE DEALER. NOW I HAVE REC'D A LETTER FROM THE DMV STATING IT WASN'T FIXED. I FAXED THE INVOICE DATES 2/12/19 TO BMW TODAY. I GIVE UP. THE…

Air Bags · received Aug 3, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11241467

Nhtsa does not recognize the recalls on my 2004 bmw 325xi 4dr sedan. There were 2 recalls that are related to air bags. The nhtsa campaign numbers are #15v318000 and #14v428000. I would like to receive official confirmation that these recalls are valid so i can get the manufacturer to fix this…

Electrical System · received Apr 4, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11193909

Other BMW 325XI years

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See all BMW 325XI 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 2004 BMW 325XI?

Owners most often report air bags, exterior lighting, power train problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 30 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2004 BMW 325XI?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2004 BMW 325XI a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 325XI model years, the 2004 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.