Owners filed 27 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 4 times.
Do not drive
NHTSA attached 3 advisories to recalls on this vehicle. Advisories apply to specific production runs — check your VIN with the manufacturer or at nhtsa.gov/recalls before driving it.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Air Bags
18
0
2
0
Vehicle Speed Control
2
1
0
0
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
1
0
0
0
Visibility/Wiper
1
0
0
0
Unknown or Other
1
0
0
0
Suspension › Rear
1
0
0
0
Suspension
1
0
0
0
Service Brakes
1
1
0
0
Fuel System, Gasoline
1
0
0
0
4 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module20V018000Do not drive
Filed Jan 15, 2020292,948 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc
Defect. 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.
Remedy. 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 Bags14V428000Do not drive
Filed Jun 11, 2018574,007 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc
Defect. 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.
Remedy. 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 Module15V318000Do not drive
Filed May 28, 2015419,235 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc
Defect. 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.
Remedy. 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 Signal11V438000
Filed Aug 26, 2011241,000 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc
Defect. 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.
Remedy. 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.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Jun 3, 2025CT
The contact owns a 2005 BMW 325XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V018000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Air Bags
Filed Jul 12, 2024PA
The contact owns a 2005 BMW 325XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V31800 (Air Bags) and 14V428000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 11, 2021MA
Front Passenger side window regulator broke. Rolled window down would not go back up could hear motor working . One month later same exact thing just happened to back passenger window
Air Bags
Filed Apr 15, 2021MO
2005 BMW 325XI. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING THE TAKATA AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED IN ORDER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, IT NEEDED TO BE TOWED. THE CONSUMER HAD AN UNSATISFATORY EXPERIENCE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP ONCE BEFORE. *JS
Air BagsFire
Filed Dec 9, 20193,100,000 milesPA
I WAS DRIVING AND MY SIDE AIR BAG AND DOOR AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED WITH NO CAUSE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. I PULLED OVER. NOTHING AT THAT TIME WAS SMOKING OR WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I DROVE THE VEHICLE FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES TO GET CLOSER TO MY BOYFRIEND'S HOUSE. I STOPPED IN A LOT TO CALL HIM. PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND THE FRONT END ON THE RIGHT SIDE STARTED TO SMOKE. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT END SLOWLY BURSTED INTO FLAMES.
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Sep 13, 201953,328 milesNY
WHILE DRIVING ON BUSY STREETS, UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE AT RED LIGHTS...THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK. FORTUNATELY NO BODILY INJURIES, ONLY SMASHED UP CARS...I WILL NOT DRIVE THAT CAR AGAIN AND I DON'T EVEN FEEL GOOD ABOUT SELLING IT TO SOMEONE ELSE .
Visibility/Wiper
Filed Apr 26, 201965,000 milesNJ
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDOW MOTOR/WINDOW REGULATOR WITH 3/4 WINDOWS IN THIS CAR! THEY ARE ALL ORIGINAL TO THE CAR. I NEED THEM FIXED BECAUSE IT IS A VISIBILITY/SAFETY ISSUE. WHAT IF IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY I NEED TO OPEN MY WINDOWS AND THEY DON'T WORK? I CHECKED ONLINE AND MANY MANY OWNERS OF THIS MODEL HAVE THE EXACT SAME ISSUE THUS I KNOW FOR A FACT IT IS A DEFECT WITH THE CAR. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT, I JUST FOUND OUT I CAN REPORT IT TO NHTSA. I READ ONLINE ABOUT A GUY WITH THE SAME CAR WHO WAS GRANTED A REPAIR FOR THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS DEEMED A DEFECT AND I WOULD LIKE THE SAME.
Air Bags
Filed May 28, 2017115,000 milesTX
BMW OF ARLINGTON HAS HAD ME ON A WAITING LIST FOR OVER A YEAR TO COMPLETE THE AIRBAG RECALL. THEY DO NOT SEEM TO CARE IF THIS MANDATORY RECALL GETS DONE OR NOT.
Service BrakesCrash
Filed Jan 20, 2017117,000 milesNJ
SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ABS LIGHT ON FUEL SENSOR THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING IT MULTIPLE CODES R SHOWING UP WHEN VEHICLE HAD A COMPUTER SCAN VEHICLE WAS PERFORMED. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A STREET STALLED BRAKES FAILED TO STOP STRIKING A CAR IN FRONT ON I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A USED AR DEALER IN JUNE2016 WHO ASSURED ME HIS WAS A SAFE CAR TO DRIVE AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR 2 MONTHS THE PROBLEMS STARTED FRONT STRUTS WERE BROKE BRAKES WERE GONE BACK SHOCKS R BROKE N CHECK ENGINES ON ABS LIGHT IS ON. *TR
Air Bags
Filed Sep 26, 2016NC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air Bags
Filed Aug 30, 2016NY
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air Bags
Filed Aug 28, 2016CT
TAKATA RECALL . WE WERE NOTIFIED IN JULY 2014 OF THE PROBLEM AND AS OF NOW BMW STILL DOES NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO REPLACE IT. THIS IS FAR FROM TIMELY!
Air Bags
Filed Aug 21, 2016CT
I HAVE CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP NEW COUNTRY MOTOR CARS OF HARTFORD, CT ONLY TO BE TOLD MULTIPLE TIMES THAT THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENT PARTS TO COMPLETE THE REMEDY FOR THESE RECALLS. IT HAS BEEN OVER TWO YEARS SINCE THE RECALL WAS SENT OUT.
Air Bags
Filed Jan 27, 2016MA
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOLS CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ...UPDATED 02/19/16 *BF UPDATED 04/05/16.*JB
Air Bags
Filed Jan 19, 2016OH
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air Bags
Filed Aug 3, 201574,000 milesNJ
IT TOOK OVER A YEAR TO GET PARTS FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG, JUST GOT THE CAR BACK AND RECEIVED NOTICE OF A RECALL OF THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG AND NO DATE FOR REPAIR, I CAN NOT SELL THE CAR OR TRADE IT IN BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT. BMW REFUSES TO PROVIDE COMPENSATION. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUN AROUND BY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING A LOANER CAR OR A REPLACEMENT. I WANT BMW TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SO I CAN OBTAIN A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE.
Air Bags
Filed Jul 20, 2015NC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PROVIDE THE PART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air Bags
Filed Jan 8, 2015VT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 4/30/15*CN
Air Bags
Filed Dec 17, 2014PA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WAS THE SAME EXACT AIR BAG USED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) COULD POSSIBLY HAVE OCCURRED WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG, WHICH WAS INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.
Air Bags
Filed Nov 18, 2014175,000 milesNH
I AM WRITING YOU TO TELL YOU THAT I HAVE A VEHICLE AFFECTED BY THE AIR BAG RECALL - TWICE I HAVE SCHEDULED FOR REPLACEMENT, TWICE THE DEALERSHIP HAS CALLED ME ON THE MORNING OF THE APPOINTMENT TO SAY THE PARTS ARE NOT IN STOCK. THEY ARE NOT APOLOGETIC, NOR CONCERNED FOR THE URGENCY OF THIS SITUATION. I TRAVEL A VERY DIFFICULT ROUTE INTO THE CITY - DURING RUSH HOUR - AND HAVE ASKED THEM TO AT LEAST DISCONNECT THE BAG FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE. THEY REFUSE TO DO SO. THIS EVENING THE NEWS REPORTED THAT EVEN DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS ARE BEING RECALLED. WHY IS THIS TAKING SO LONG? DO DEATHS AND INJURIES HAVE TO TOP THE HUNDRED MARK FOR CAR MANUFACTURERS AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO GET INTO HIGH GEAR OVER THIS? THE OCCASIONAL NEWS REPORT JUST ISN;T DOING IT -CAR DEALERS AND MANUFACTURERS ARE RESPONDING IN A VERY SLOW AND SEEMINGLY UNCONCERNED FASHION. AT LEAST MY BMW DEALER IS. SOME HELP WOULD BE DEEPLY APPRECIATED. *TR
NHTSA has issued a do-not-drive warning for a recall on this vehicle.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Jan 15, 2020. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.