2005 BMW 325I

▲ Better than typical
2005 BMW 325I
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:21:28.792Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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, 2005 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 2005 2006: 515 complaints 2007: 1 complaints 2008: 1 complaints 2008 2009: 0 complaints 2010: 0 complaints 2011: 1 complaints 2012: 1 complaints 2012
2005: 70 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 47%

47% of complaints: air bags — 33 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AIR BAG PARTIALLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140609

The contact owns a 2005 BMW 325I. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the passenger’s side air bag warning illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230919

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 24%

24% of complaints: exterior lighting — 17 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED AND OVER TIME, BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120323

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%

13% of complaints: electrical system — 9 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

TL* 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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180914

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4%

4% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 3 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK MY CAR AT MY EMPLOYER'S GARAGE. I WAS TURNING MY WHEEL TO PARK IN A SPACE, MY FOOT WAS OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND MOVING VERY SLOWLY, WHEN MY CAR SEEMED TO JERK FORWARD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WENT FORWARD AT FULL SPEED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20080423

WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, MY VEHICLE STRUCK A CEMENT STRUCTURAL SUPPORTING COLUMN. I PUT ON BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR. THE IMPACT WAS LATER FOUND TO BE MINIMAL (DENT).

NHTSA ODI report, 20080413

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 2MPH, THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE LURCHING FORWARD INTO A TREE. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, BUT NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20060425

VISIBILITY 3%

3% of complaints: visibility — 2 distinct reports on file.

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

2005 BMW 325I — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (33 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (17 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (9 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.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1995 ▲ 1992 ● 2004

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ◆ 2003 ● 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2005 BMW 325I reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 BMW 325I is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2005 BMW 325I?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 47% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 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.