MYRModel Year Report

2005 BMW 325I

▲ Better than typical
2005 BMW 325I
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:41:07.470Z

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
71
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2005

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

46% 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 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 147 complaints 2005: 71 complaints 2005 71 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 2005: 71 complaints 2005 71 2006: 515 complaints 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 2005: 71 complaints 2005 71 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

2005: 71 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

46% · 33 reports
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, 2014-06-09

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, 2023-09-19

Exterior lighting

25% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing brake lights.

FIREINJURY
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, 2012-03-23

Electrical system

15% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-09

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, 2018-09-14

Also filed under Engine and fuel/propulsion system

Power train

6% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.

Show complaint excerpts

My car's transmission light came on so I pulled over to the side of the road. I turned the car off and on but the warning light wouldn't go away.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-15

Vehicle speed control

4% · 3 reports
CRASHINJURY
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, 2008-04-23

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, 2008-04-13

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, 2006-04-25

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

2005 BMW 325I — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 33 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 18 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 11 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 years2 years

Worst years2 years

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 46% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 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.