2004 Bmw 325CI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
68 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
75,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 31 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 41 of 68 complaints (60.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 8.8% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 5.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 4.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.9% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 41 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 7 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
| Seats | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Air Bags: 41; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 7; Electrical System: 4; Exterior Lighting: 4; Seats: 3; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 37 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 13 |
| 2016 | 18 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2004: 10; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 3; 2013: 1; 2014: 5; 2015: 13; 2016: 18; 2017: 5; 2020: 3; 2021: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10055072 · 2004-01-28 (January 28, 2004)
THE STEPTRONIC TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAUGE IN "D" FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT. BMW REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT 1100 MILES AND AT 300 MILES THE "NEW" TRANSMISSION IS DOING THE SAME THING. THE CAR GOES IN "R" AND POTENTIALLY COULD LEAVE YOU IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1,108 miles reported. Look up ODI 10055072 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10055291 · 2004-01-21 (January 21, 2004)
PETITION FOR DEFECT INVESTIGATION OF THE 2004 BMW 325XI DUE TO HESITATION IN SHIFTING OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER A FULL STOP. *MR WHEN THE CONSUMER SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE IT EXPERIENCED DELAYS OF FROM ONE HALF MINUTE TO TWO MINUTES BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO DRIVE THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FORWARD. *SC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10055291 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088993 · 2004-09-02 (September 2, 2004)
BRAKE FAILURE ( DELAYED BRAKE ENGAGEMENT) ONCE UPON LEAVING THE DEALER SHIP. AGAIN 24 HOURS LATER( RESULTING IN A CRASH) AND ONE WEEK LATER WITH 600 MILES. MW CLAIMS NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. I TRADED CAR IN REFUSING TO ENDANGER MY LIVE AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 76 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088993 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10481567 · 2012-10-23 (October 23, 2012)
DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LAMP HAS GONE OUT. IN RESEARCHING, FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL IN THE LED TAIL LIGHT AND CAN CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO OTHER DRIVERS NOT BEING ABLE TO TELL THAT YOU ARE STOPPING. FOUND RECALL INFORMATION ON NHTSA SITE AND CONTACTED BMW. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY SPECIFIC VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, YET THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS 241,000 OTHER CARS. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT MY SITUATION (AND VIN) BE EVALUATED AND INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. …
Owner-reported narrative. 91,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10481567 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10487348 · 2012-12-04 (December 4, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THERE WAS A LEAK FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE BATTERY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10487348 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10651523 · 2014-10-30 (October 30, 2014)
THE INTERNAL WIRING IN THE ADAPTIVE BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS GETS BRITTLE AND CRACKS WITH THE RISK OF SHORT CIRCUITS, POTENTIAL FIRE AND HEADLIGHT FAILURE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10651523 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10148541 · 2006-01-25 (January 25, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325CI. WHILE PUMPING GAS INTO THE VEHICLE THE GAS TANK CAUGHT FIRE. IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE DEALERSHIP THIS COULD HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF STATIC ELECTRICITY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10148541 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10330943 · 2010-05-18 (May 18, 2010)
2004 BMW 325 CI -- CONSTANT FUEL LEAK. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 58,248 miles reported. Look up ODI 10330943 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10873085 · 2016-06-07 (June 7, 2016)
WHEN WEATHER IS HOT STEERING BECOMES CRITICAL. DOES NOT RESPOND TO WHERE YOU STEER THE CAR. FEAR OF AN ACCIDENT CAUSES ME TO NOT USE THE CAR IN HOT WEATHER. SEEMS LIKE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL CAR, WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL BY BMW ??
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10873085 at NHTSA ↗