Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 BMW 325ci owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 BMW 325ci. The contact stated that the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14V348000 (air bags) was received in November of 2014. The vehicle was serviced under the recall remedy but after the repairs, the middle section of the steering wheel that houses the air bag was bulging and protruding. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000. The issue was resolved. Updated 03/17/15
Please remove this vehicle from the recall list for Takata air bag replacement.. I had the driver's side air bag replaced in 2016, at the BMW dealership in wilmington, nc. I have no idea why the replacement wasn't reported, but that dealership did have an ownership change after my replacement. I continue to receive dozens of notifications for this recall, that has already been completed. I've contacted BMW at least 3 times, but somehow I'm still on this list. Please remove my vehicle from the recall list immediately.
When the vehicle is driven over a bump, the wiring harness below the passenger or driver seat May become loose, causing a high resistance in the SRS system and causing the SRS error light to illuminate and an error code to be saved, the system May become inactive, and in the event of a crash, the SRS system May not function, and May lead to injury or death which could have been avoided had the connectors not come loose and deactivated the SRS system. This has been observed on numerous e46's of various years.
In September 2014, I received an important safety recall from BMW USA. [recall campaign no. 14v-428: front passenger air bag]. According to the notice, the air bag supplier advised BMW that in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front passenger air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the air bag inflator, resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the front passenger or other passengers. Unbelievably, BMW stated it did not have the parts to fix it. However, I would be notified "as soon as parts become available." after hearing nothing from BMW, in February 2015 I contacted my dealer, san diego BMW, who said I needed to be on a list so they could call when parts became available. I gave the information and again waited. It is now April 24, 2015. I have heard nothing more from BMW and san diego BMW. …
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 BMW 325ci. The contact stated that the independent sales location that sold the vehicle made no mention of two recalls prior to the contact purchasing the vehicle. The contact stated that the air bag indicator remained illuminated for months. The vehicle was not inspected or diagnosed by an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V428000 (air bags) and 15V318000 (air bags), but the contact did not receive a notification. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 BMW 325ci. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V318000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. ..updated 06/01/16 updated 06/10/16...updated 06/15/16 updated 06/20/16. Updated 06/27/16.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 BMW 325ci. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V318000 (air bags); however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 05/17/2016 updated 06/14/16.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 BMW 325ci. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V318000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 10/21/16 updated 10/25/16.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 BMW 325ci. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v31800 (air bags); however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 BMW 325ci. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V428000 (air bags); however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. ..updated 05/19/15 updated 7/6/2015
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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 non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag…
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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 Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i…
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.
NHTSA investigations
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…
Airbag complaints in other 325ci years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2005 BMW 325ci?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 BMW 325ci, 65% of the model year's 31 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2005 BMW 325ci airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-018 (inflator module, Jan 15, 2020); NHTSA recall 15V-318 (inflator module, May 28, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 BMW 325ci airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.