MYRModel Year Report

2004 BMW 325I

● Typical for this model
2004 BMW 325I
RENDERED 2026-11-01T17:02:06.554Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

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
147
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

42% of complaints

Complaints per year

1987: 5 complaints 1987 1988: 5 complaints 1989: 8 complaints 1990: 5 complaints 1990 1991: 4 complaints 1992: 41 complaints 1993: 21 complaints 1993 1994: 17 complaints 1995: 31 complaints 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 1 complaint 2001: 151 complaints 2002: 162 complaints 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 147 complaints 2004 147 2005: 71 complaints 2006: 515 complaints 2007: 1 complaint 2008: 1 complaint 2008 2009: 0 complaints 2010: 0 complaints 2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 1 complaint
1987: 5 complaints 1987 1988: 5 complaints 1989: 8 complaints 1989 1990: 5 complaints 1991: 4 complaints 1991 1992: 41 complaints 1993: 21 complaints 1993 1994: 17 complaints 1995: 31 complaints 1995 1999: 0 complaints 2000: 1 complaint 2000 2001: 151 complaints 2002: 162 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 147 complaints 2004 147 2005: 71 complaints 2006: 515 complaints 2006 2007: 1 complaint 2008: 1 complaint 2008 2009: 0 complaints 2010: 0 complaints 2010 2011: 1 complaint 2012: 1 complaint 2012
1987: 5 complaints 1987 1988: 5 complaints 1988 1989: 8 complaints 1989 1990: 5 complaints 1990 1991: 4 complaints 1991 1992: 41 complaints 1992 1993: 21 complaints 1993 1994: 17 complaints 1994 1995: 31 complaints 1995 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 1 complaint 2000 2001: 151 complaints 2001 2002: 162 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2003 2004: 147 complaints 2004 147 2005: 71 complaints 2005 2006: 515 complaints 2006 2007: 1 complaint 2007 2008: 1 complaint 2008 2009: 0 complaints 2009 2010: 0 complaints 2010 2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 1 complaint 2012

2004: 147 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19850
19860
19875
19885
19898
19905
19914
199241
199321
199417
199531
19990
20001
2001151
2002162
2003199
2004147
200571
2006515
20071
20081
20090
20100
20111
20121

Known problem areas

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

Air bags

42% · 62 reports

Most commonly citing side/window.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Exterior lighting

31% · 45 reports

Most commonly citing tail lights and brake lights.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Car sitting in driveway of primary residence for several days after repeated heavy rains and hurricanes and spontaneously caught fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-11-16

Also filed under Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 BMW 325I. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted a strong burning odor while it was parked. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact found that the front driver's headlight cable was on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-01-28

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 BMW 325I. The contact stated that the ground wires were overheating, melting the plug and causing the tail lights to malfunction. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-04-08

Electrical system

14% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle had been parked approximately 15-20 minutes when we were alerted by the fire alarm in our condo building. Upon evacuating the building, we were told that our 2004 BMW 325I was on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-15

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 BMW 325I. The contact stated that the faulty lamp warning indicator would intermittently illuminate on the instrument panel.

NHTSA ODI report, 2009-03-25

Engine

4% · 6 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY

Visibility

4% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing rearview mirrors/devices and power window devices and controls.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. 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 →

  2. I
    2009-04-08Defect petitionClosed 2009-08-06 Rear lamp illumination
  3. I
    2009-08-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-12-22 Rear lamp illumination
  4. I
    2009-12-18Engineering analysisClosed 2011-09-28 Rear Lamp Illumination
  5. R
    2012-02-15Exterior lighting11V438000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  7. R
    2014-12-01Air bags14V428000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  9. 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 →

  10. 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 325I — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 62 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 45 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 21 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 07E023000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 11V438000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 14V428000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V318000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V018000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 2004 BMW 325I reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 BMW 325I is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 BMW 325I?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 42% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 BMW 325I have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.