MYRModel Year Report

2004 BMW 325I

● Typical for this model
2004 BMW 325I
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:21:36.834Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, BMW 325I Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2004 highlighted. 1985: 0 complaints 1985 1986: 0 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1988: 5 complaints 1989: 8 complaints 1989 1990: 5 complaints 1991: 4 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1993: 21 complaints 1993 1994: 17 complaints 1995: 31 complaints 1999: 0 complaints 2000: 1 complaints 2000 2001: 151 complaints 2002: 162 complaints 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 147 complaints 2004 2005: 70 complaints 2006: 515 complaints 2007: 1 complaints 2008: 1 complaints 2008 2009: 0 complaints 2010: 0 complaints 2011: 1 complaints 2012: 1 complaints 2012
2004: 147 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19850
19860
19875
19885
19898
19905
19914
199240
199321
199417
199531
19990
20001
2001151
2002162
2003199
2004147
200570
2006515
20071
20081
20090
20100
20111
20121

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 41%

41% of complaints: air bags — 61 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 29%

29% of complaints: exterior lighting — 43 distinct reports on file.

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, 20181116

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, 20140128

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, 20130408

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%

14% of complaints: electrical system — 20 distinct reports on file.

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, 20181116

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, 20120315

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, 20090325

ENGINE 4%

4% of complaints: engine — 6 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
VISIBILITY/WIPER 3%

3% of complaints: visibility/wiper — 4 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

I cannot use put my windows up/down, cannot open the trunk, cannot use interior lights, cannot unlock my gas lid. Due to a broke. Electronic part called the GM5

NHTSA ODI report, 20250516

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20070402 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 SOLD

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.

Campaign 07E023000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20090408 — DP (closed 20090806)

REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION

I 20090807 — PE (closed 20091222)

REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION

I 20091218 — EA (closed 20110928)

Rear Lamp Illumination

R 20120215 — exterior lighting

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 CA

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.

Campaign 11V438000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20140611 — PE (closed 20150302)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20141201 — air bags

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.

Campaign 14V428000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20150224 — EA (open)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20160819 — air bags

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.

Campaign 15V318000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200213 — air bags

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.

Campaign 20V018000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2004 BMW 325I — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (61 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (43 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 07E023000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V438000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V428000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V318000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V018000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1995 ▲ 1992 ▲ 2005

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ◆ 2003 ● 2002

See all years ranked →

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 41% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2004 BMW 325I have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.