Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 BMW 325xi owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Tl contact owns a 2004 BMW 325i. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact was involved in a crash. The air bag deployment severely injured the consumer and caused a neck sprain and a mild concussion. A police report was filed. The contact did not provide any additional information regarding the crash. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 50,000. Updated
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.
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. BMW replaced driver side airbag in 9/ 2014 then passenger side. Yet in 2015 accident, the airbags failed to detonate, and injury to persons/property occurred. BMW recalled driver's side airbag (2nd repair/3rd airbag) in 2015 and parts are on back order. BMW has the 'defective vehicle' (I.e. Other issues engine, seat belts, etc. Remain) and provided a BMW loaner car through their affiliated partner (Toyota's jv alliance) enterprise in good faith pending repair. In June 2016, a 'cease & desist' was placed on the BMW, in part, due to a federal investigation or injury (I.e. Defective airbag- explosive device~shooting shrapnel) that leaves 'driver in harm's way'. …
BMW 325xi 2004, after substantial or unreasonable delay in the BMW return, was perceived to be rendered unsafe/unsatisfactory/incomplete, with airbag defects/spillover effects, or released with known defects to the vehicle that put the driver and unsuspecting occupants at risk of serious bodily injury up to death. BMW was to send a 'consent form', then vehicle owner was to review/sign/return, BMW would then order 'interim airbag' parts, and repair. The consent form was not received or signed, June 2016, BMW enter/repair without authorization, or signed consent forms, and made unknown changes to the airbag/systems. The toxins remain has corroded it or released toxins/odor. The vehicle was on a 'cease & desist' airbag repair pending the receipt and execution of the consent form as agreed. BMW failed to make the repairs per quote and airbag [I.e. …
BMW jointly owned vehicle, was not returned to customers on demand, nor swapped as is customary business practice (I.e. BMW repair/recalled for BMW loaner car), and held for unreasonable amount of time. BMW recalled the vehicle, in part, defective airbags, and was to send a consent form to the customers prior to ordering parts/repairs. The customers never received the consent form as assured and expressed concerns about the BMW who damaged the vehicle in their possession or disabled state. July 15, 2016 BMW flatbed delivered with unidentified chemicals/toxins that resulted in front end physical damages and/or toxins in BMW that resulted in "poison exposure", toxology tests pending. The toxins maybe airbag chemicals, sodium azide, hydrazoic acid, or others, and need BMW tested. Please inform on who specifically performs these tests or agency that does quickly due to the toxic nature. …
"Takata recall" I received notice of the recall by mail on 8/24/16 stating that I needed the driver and passenger side airbags replaced. I then proceeded to make an appointment on August 29th with global imports BMW located at 500 interstate n pkwy, atlanta, ga 30339. The service representative informed me that the parts were not in stock and would need to be ordered. However the recall notice did state that the parts were in stock and ready to be installed. I waited 2 weeks and never received a follow up phone call on the status of the air bags. I then called global BMW again, and they had no record of me calling, and claimed that they needed to order the airbags. This same exact issue re-occurred on my follow up phone calls on September 12th and 23rd. …
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. I would like to receive official confirmation that these recalls are valid so I can get the manufacturer to fix this. Please see the supporting docs attached. Also, I have been having weird electrical issues happening to the point the car wont shut off at times, headlights go out after a day, turn signal goes out, car dies, stereo wont work etc. I was wondering if other recalls were placed on this car as well?
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 BMW 325xi. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V318000 (air bags); however, the part needed to perform 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 08/11/16 updated 08/17/16.
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
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.
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 325xi years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2004 BMW 325xi?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 BMW 325xi, 55% of the model year's 55 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 BMW 325xi airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-018 (inflator module, Jan 15, 2020); NHTSA recall 14V-428 (air bags, Jun 11, 2018); NHTSA recall 15V-318 (inflator module, May 28, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 BMW 325xi airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.