2004 Bmw 325XI: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
55 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
67,740 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 29 of 55 complaints (52.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 10.9% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 9.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 7.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.8% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.8% |
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 | 29 |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
Air Bags: 29; Exterior Lighting: 7; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Electrical System: 4; Engine: 4; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Power Train: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 31 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 | 4 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2004: 4; 2005: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 5; 2010: 5; 2011: 5; 2012: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 9; 2016: 14; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2021: 2; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10063893 · 2004-03-25 (March 25, 2004)
I FILED A PETITION FOR A DEFECTS INVESTIGATION AS WELL AS A COMPLAINT ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH A 2004 BMW 325XI WITH A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION, RESULTING IN DELAYED ENGAGEMENT AS WELL AS "LURCHING" OF THE VEHICLE WHEN ACCELERATING AND/OR BRAKING. VEHICLE WENT BACK FOR REPAIR - AFTER HAD SLIGHT DELAYED ENGAGEMENT AGAIN, PART FELL OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN, LOUD FLAPPING NOISE STARTED IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD, THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON - 2300 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN OUT OF MY POSSESSION 4 WEEKS OF THE 3 MO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10063893 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10063941 · 2004-03-26 (March 26, 2004)
THE BMW 325XIT (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) WHICH I PURCHASED ON 2/5/2004 DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WITH FORWARD GEAR NOT ENGAGING ON A COLD START. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON IT WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM. TYPICALLY ON A MORNING WHEN I BACK THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE, AND THEN SHIFT THE GEARS FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE FAILS TO MOVE FORWARD FOR 3 TO 4 SECONDS UPON RELEASING THE BRAKE. I WOULD HAVE TO PRESS DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL AND WATCH THE ENGINE REVV TO ANYWHERE BETWEEN 3-5K RPM BEFORE THE GEAR WOULD ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE CREEP…
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063941 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064047 · 2004-03-28 (March 28, 2004)
I PURCHASED A 2004 BMW 330XI AND HAD TWO PROBLEMS THAT SURFACED IMMEDIATELY. WHEN CALLING THE DEALERSHIP, THEY BRUSHED OFF THE COMPLAINT STATING THAT THE CAR WAS NEW AND IT WOULD "SETTLE" GIVEN TIME. HOWEVER, AFTER THE PROBLEMS CONTINUED, I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO A DEALERSHIP WHO, UPON INSPECTION, TOLD ME I SIMPLY NEEDED SOME NEW PARTS. ONE BEING A TRANSMISSION (WHICH I THINK IS MORE THAN JUST A PART). APPARENTLY, THERE IS A DIRECTIVE TO BMW DEALERSHIPS HIGHLIGHTING THE PROBLEM, BUT TO DEAL WITH IT ONLY UPON CUSTOMER COMPLAINT. I FIND THIS V…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10064047 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066414 · 2004-04-18 (April 18, 2004)
I BOUGHT BMW 325XI 2004 ON 03/04 AND I NOTICED THAT IT HAS PROBLEM WITH COLD START. IN THE MORNING, WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN "D", IT DOESN'T MOVE AND THEN SUDDENLY LURCHES WITH A JERK. FIRST I THOUGHT, ITS JUST BECAUSE ITS A NEW CAR BUT WHEN I DIDN'T DRIVE IT FOR 3 DAYS AND STARTED IT, IT WAS WORSE. IT WOULDN'T MOVE AT ALL FOR LIKE A MINUTE AND THEN SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD WITH A JERK ALMOST HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT ALL 3 SERIES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 03-03 TO 11-03 HAVE THIS PROBLEM A…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10066414 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10141043 · 2005-11-08 (November 8, 2005)
CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING BMW 3 SERIES HIGH FAILURE RATE OF THE EMERGENCY FLASHER SWITCH. *TS (11/08/05) THE CONSUMER SUGGESTED THAT THE EUROPEAN DESIGN BE MODIFIED WHERE THERE IS NO CUP HOLDER ADJACENT TO THE EMERGENCY FLASHER AND SWITCH TO THE USA DESIGN WHERE THE EMERGENCY FLASHER IS LESS THAN 1 INCH FROM THE CUP HOLDER. *SC
Owner-reported narrative. 41,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10141043 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10232708 · 2008-06-30 (June 30, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT SEVERELY INJURED THE CONSUMER AND CAUSED A NECK SPRAIN AND A MILD CONCUSSION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000. UPDATED
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232708 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10266104 · 2009-04-20 (April 20, 2009)
I RECENTLY REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES ON MY PASSENGER CAR (2004 BMW 325XI). AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON WHICH TO BUY, WE BELIEVED THE RATING IN CONSUMER'S REPORTS AND PURCHASED 4 CONTINENTAL PRO CONTACT TIRES (ORDER WAS PLACED ON 3/3/2009 AND THE TIRES WERE INSTALLED AT TIRE RACK ON 3/6/2009). I HAD A SERVICE CALL ON THIS CAR IN FEBRUARY (2/10/2009) AND THE RECORDED MILES FROM THE VOB SERVICE DEPARTMENT WERE 29,750. ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT (4/18/2009), THE MILES ON THIS CAR WERE 30,906. THEREFORE, THE NEW TIRES HAD FAR LESS THAN 1000 MILES O…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,906 miles reported. Look up ODI 10266104 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10281871 · 2009-08-26 (August 26, 2009)
THIS IS A FORMAL PETITION FOR A SAFETY DEFECT INVESTIGATION. MY 2004 BMW 325XI HAS A LEFT TAIL LIGHT THAT DOES NOT WORK BECAUSE OF A POOR CONNECTION AT THE REAR LAMP CONNECTOR (THE GROUND WIRE RECEPTACLE AND HOUSING HAVE BURNT OUT BECAUSE THE GROUND IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH FOR THE CURRENT). MY RIGHT TAIL LIGHT STILL FUNCTIONS BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS SIDE BURNING OUT AS WELL AND POSING A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. BMW HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN (SI B 63 03 06) WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE AND SAYS THAT THE CAUSE IS "MINOR CORROSION AT THE 8-PIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10281871 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
11V438000 · Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
Reported: 2011-08-26 (August 26, 2011)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V428000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2018-06-11 (June 11, 2018)
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.
Consequence: 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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V318000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2015-05-28 (May 28, 2015)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V018000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2020-01-15 (January 15, 2020)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗