2004 BMW 325XI

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2004 BMW 325XI
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:02:05.157Z

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 PER YEAR

2004: 55 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2000	0
2001	14
2002	68
2003	30
2004	55
2005	27
2006	110
2007	0
2008	0
2009	1
2010	0
2011	0
2012	0

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 53%

53% of complaints: air bags — 29 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2004 BMW 325XI. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the vehicle was struck by another vehicle on the passengerâs side causing the passengerâs side mirror to detach from the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 20210602

VEHICLE DEFECTS REPORTED OR RECALLED, BMW, OEM, OR OTHER, YET WITH KNOWN DEFECTS WAS REQUESTED TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT IS 'IMMINENT DANGER' THAT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH: AIRBAGS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160629

MY VEHICLE HAS A RECALL ON THE AIR BAGS

NHTSA ODI report, 20180124

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 13%

13% of complaints: exterior lighting — 7 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 5 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

I FILED A PETITION FOR A DEFECTS INVESTIGATION AS WELL AS A COMPLAINT ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH A 2004 BMW 325XI WITH A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION, RESULTING IN DELAYED ENGAGEMENT AS WELL AS "LURCHING" OF THE VEHICLE WHEN ACCELERATING AND/OR BRAKING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040325

ENGINE 7%

7% of complaints: engine — 4 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

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WHILE DRIVING IN NORMAL RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY WIFE HEARD A LOUD POP FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CAR LOST POWER, BRAKES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140303

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 4 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

NHTSA DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE RECALLS ON MY 2004 BMW 325XI 4DR SEDAN. THERE WERE 2 RECALLS THAT ARE RELATED TO AIR BAGS. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS ARE #15V318000 AND #14V428000.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190404

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20040203 — DP (closed 20040527)

DELAYED TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT

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 325XI — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for air bags issues (29 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (7 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for power train issues (5 reports on file for this year).
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.

FAQ

Is the 2004 BMW 325XI 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 325XI?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 53% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2004 BMW 325XI have?

4 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.