2005 BMW 325i recalls and problems

The 2005 BMW 325i has 4 safety recalls and 71 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer.

Urgent: recall 20V-018, recall 14V-428, recall 15V-318 carry a "do not drive" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

3 / 2

Injuries / deaths

4 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2005 BMW 325i vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2005 BMW 325i recalls

Recall 20V-018: Air Bags

Do not driveReported Jan 15, 2020 · 292,948 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

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.

Recall 14V-428: Air Bags

Do not driveReported Jun 11, 2018 · 574,007 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Recall 15V-318: Air Bags

Do not driveReported May 28, 2015 · 419,235 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

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.

Recall 11V-438: Exterior Lighting

Reported Aug 26, 2011 · 241,000 vehicles affected · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC

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.

2005 BMW 325i problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Air Bags	33
Exterior Lighting	18
Electrical System	11
Power Train	4
Vehicle Speed Control	3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	2
Tires	2
Visibility	2
Wheels	1
Latches/Locks/Linkages	1
Visibility/Wiper	1
Service Brakes	1

Most reported parts

Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 2
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery — 1
Tires › Sidewall — 1
Power Train › Axle Assembly — 1
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 80,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2005 BMW 325i complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Electrical System · at 127,000 miles · reported Jul 9, 2026

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 fire. The Fire Department and the Police arrived. A fire report and a Police report were filed, however the Police report information was unavailable. In addition, the contact was informed that the light module was the source of the fire. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure. The…

Air Bags · at 132,000 miles · reported Sep 19, 2023

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 vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

Electrical System · at 140,000 miles · reported Sep 14, 2018

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 start intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and stated that the fuel pump assembly may be the cause of the failure. The dealer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

Air Bags · reported Jan 13, 2017

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. The dealer did not state if the parts were available. 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 NHTSA campaign numbers were not provided. The…

Air Bags · reported Nov 17, 2016

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 bmw 325i. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 15v318000 (Air bags). The contact stated that the dealer reported that the parts needed for the recall remedy were still not available and that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Parts distribution disconnect.

Other BMW 325i years

2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 200620052004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Compare all BMW 325i years · All BMW models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 BMW 325i have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2005 BMW 325i: 20V-018 (air bags), 14V-428 (air bags), 15V-318 (air bags), 11V-438 (exterior lighting). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 BMW 325i?

Owners report air bags problems most often (33 reports), followed by exterior lighting (18). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 80,000 miles.

Are BMW recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized BMW dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.