MYRModel Year Report

2004 BMW 325CI

○ Not enough data
2004 BMW 325CI
RENDERED 2026-11-01T09:06:13.502Z

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
68
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

60% of complaints

Complaints per year

2000: 6 complaints 2000 2001: 49 complaints 2001 2002: 30 complaints 2002 2003: 27 complaints 2003 2004: 68 complaints 2004 68 2005: 31 complaints 2005 2006: 36 complaints 2006
2000: 6 complaints 2000 2001: 49 complaints 2001 2002: 30 complaints 2002 2003: 27 complaints 2003 2004: 68 complaints 2004 68 2005: 31 complaints 2005 2006: 36 complaints 2006
2000: 6 complaints 2000 2001: 49 complaints 2001 2002: 30 complaints 2002 2003: 27 complaints 2003 2004: 68 complaints 2004 68 2005: 31 complaints 2005 2006: 36 complaints 2006

2004: 68 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
20006
200149
200230
200327
200468
200531
200636

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

60% · 41 reports
Show complaint excerpts

2004 BMW 325CI. Consumer writes in regards to passenger side airbag safety recall.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-08-13

I called my dealer last year to schedule to fix my recall on my car. Unfortunately I did not went to my appointment.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-05-29

Power train

15% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Exterior lighting

7% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing turn signal.

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2004 BMW 325 CI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side rear turn signal light became inoperable while attempting to make a turn. There was no warning light illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-04-21

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 BMW 325CI. The contact stated that upon making a right turn and a stop, he noticed that his right turn signal had flashed erratically upon activation.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-09-03

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-23

Also filed under Electrical system

Electrical system

7% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing module.

Seats

4% · 3 reports
FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving my 2004 BMW 325CI sport down the road smelled something burning, looked down my heated seat caught fire, burnt my leg, almost wrecked trying to get off the highway. Now my seat has a huge burnt hole in it and cant use seat heaters.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-03-15

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2004-02-03Defect petitionClosed 2004-05-27 Delayed transmission engagement
  2. R
    2007-04-02Service brakes, hydraulic07E023000 Certain cardone master cylinders with part numbers 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, and 11-3156, and with date codes lower than DCA7078…

    Remedy: Cardone will notify owners and offer to repurchase any defective master cylinders. The recall began during April 2007. Owners can contact cardone at 1-800-777-4780.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  4. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  5. R
    2016-08-19Air bags15V318000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2020-02-13Air bags20V018000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2004 BMW 325CI — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 41 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 10 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 5 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 07E023000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 15V318000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V018000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2004 BMW 325CI reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 BMW 325CI?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 60% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 BMW 325CI have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.