Most common 2004 BMW 325xi problems
Share of the 55 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 325xi complaints by model year
2004 BMW 325xi recalls (4)
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
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 Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and…
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.
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.
Exterior lighting › Turn signal
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 cause one or more rear lamp functions (tail light, brake light, and/or turn-signal), within the vehicle's body panel, to stop…
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 6 possible defects involving the 2004 BMW 325xi:
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…
Rear lamp illumination
Odi has received complaints from consumers stating that their tail light assembly is not properly illuminating.the tail light assembly consists of a turn signal lamp, a tail lamp and a brake lamp.the complainants have indicated that the issue is with an 8 pin connector and associated ground wiring.these components are allegedly overheating and melting due to excessive electrical current that runs through the…
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…
Rear Lamp Illumination
In a letter submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) dated August25, 2011, BMWindicated that it will conduct a voluntary recall campaign to remedy the subject vehicles.The issue involves the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel.Through normal vehicle use over time, the rear lamps ground wiring and associated 8-pin connector can experience an increase of the resistance at the electrical contact…
Rear lamp illumination
In March 2009, the office of defects investigation (odi) received a petition from mr. Mark peters requesting an investigation of rear lamp failure in model year 2002-2005 BMW 3-series vehicles.an information request letter was sent to BMW in April 2009, and odi received BMW's response in June 2009.the tail lamp assembly contains lighting for the brake lamps, tail lamps, and turn signals.a technical service bulletin…
Delayed transmission engagement
Ms. Claire m. Tieder of reston, va, submitted a defect petition to the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) by letter dated January 11, 2004, requesting a defect investigation be conducted into delayed transmission engagement on model year 2004 BMW xi vehicles.BMW's response to NHTSA's information request indicated that certain BMW 3-series vehicles equipped with the gm5 transmission May exhibited…
What 2004 BMW 325xi owners say
Air bags all 30 →
The contact owned a 2004 BMW 325XI. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the vehicle was struck by another vehicle on the passenger's side causing the passenger's side mirror to detach from the vehicle. The contact loss control of the vehicle and crashed into the median. The vehicle rolled and then came to a complete stop. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy. Additionally, the dashboard collapsed and the rear-view mirror detached from the windshield. The vehicle was towed from the scene of the crash. The contact received injuries to the chest, ribs, neck, and breast for which medical assistance was sought. A police report was filed. The contact stated that the driver's frontal air bag was previously replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V318000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. …
The contact's girlfriend owns a 2004 BMW 325XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V018000 (Air Bags). The contact's girlfriend took the vehicle to the local dealer for the recall repair. After the vehicle was repaired and the vehicle was retrieved, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The driver took the vehicle back to the local dealer for the warning light. The mechanic inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the battery cable needed to be replaced. The contact was concerned that the failure was related to the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.
Lights
Three recalls. Front drivers air bag, front passenger airbag, both rear quarter panel lamps carrier connector wires heated and melted. Contacted BMW of kingsport several times for assistance. Said would help but has not. Need schematic of rear taillight assemblies and repair of airbags.
This is a formal petition for a safety defect investigation. My 2004 BMW 325xi has a left tail light that does not work because of a poor connection at the rear lamp connector (the ground wire receptacle and housing have burnt out because the ground is not strong enough for the current). My right tail light still functions but I am concerned about this side burning out as well and posing a possible fire hazard. BMW has issued a service bulletin (si b 63 03 06) which addresses this issue and says that the cause is "minor corrosion at the 8-pin rear lamp connector creates high resistance causing damage to the connector housing." BMW has not issued a recall and I am worried about getting into an accident without a properly functioning tail light.
Transmission & drivetrain
I purchased a 2004 BMW 330xi and had two problems that surfaced immediately. When calling the dealership, they brushed off the complaint stating that the car was new and it would "settle" given time. However, after the problems continued, I brought the car into a dealership who, upon inspection, told me I simply needed some new parts. One being a transmission (which I think is more than just a part). Apparently, there is a directive to BMW dealerships highlighting the problem, but to deal with it only upon customer complaint. I find this very troubling given the nature of the problem(s) and the potential safety issue should the transmission completely fail. The issues are as follows: 1. After only 2,000 miles, I had put an additional 7 quarts of oil in the vehicle. Apparently, the oil valve is defective and needs to be replaced. 2. …
The vehicle (1.6 turbo) has a hesitancy to engage in acceleration relative to pressing the accelerator pedal. Once engaged, it immediately jumps out to a quick, jolting and what feels like an uncontrollable start. This typically happens at stop/start intersections where the car comes to a full and complete stop. Yesterday, (07.20.16) the vehicle choked and sputtered and almost stalled on a small rise when traffic started moving through a just-turned green light at a very busy intersection during rush hour. The tachometer winds out in a manner disproportionate to the speedometer reading. This does not mimic the effects of a turbo lag. …
2004 BMW 325xi engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 BMW 325xi a good car?
Based on 55 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 325xi rates use caution: 12.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the 325xi at the same age. It is one of the 325xi years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 BMW 325xi?
The air bags — 30 complaints, 55% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the lights (9) and transmission & drivetrain (7).
How many recalls does the 2004 BMW 325xi have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2004 BMW 325xi, the most recent from January 15, 2020 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW 325xi?
Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006, 2004 and 2002. See the full BMW 325xi years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 BMW 325xi problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 miles; 25% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.