2004 BMW 325I Complaints and Recall Information
The 2004 BMW 325I has 3 complaints and 6 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues related to the electronic control system, particularly problems operating windows, the trunk, interior lights, and the gas lid due to a defective electronic component known as the GM5.
Common Issues- Electronic control failure. The GM5 component breaks, causing inability to operate windows, open the trunk, use interior lights, or unlock the gas lid.
There are six recalls for the 2004 BMW 325I affecting multiple systems including exterior lighting and airbags. The recalls involve repair or replacement of defective electrical contacts and airbag inflators that pose safety risks.
Recalls- Exterior lighting system. (NHTSA Recall 11V438000) Approximately 241,000 vehicles from model years 2002-2005, including the 325I, suffer from electrical contact resistance that causes tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals to intermittently fail. This reduces the ability to signal other motorists and increases crash risk. Dealers will repair the issue free of charge starting February 15, 2012.
- Passenger air bag inflator. (NHTSA Recall 14V428000) Around 574,007 vehicles including the 2004 325I face risk of inflator rupture due to excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. The rupture can send metal fragments into the vehicle cabin, causing serious injury. Owners must not drive these vehicles until repaired. BMW will replace the passenger air bag free of charge.
- Driver air bag inflator module. (NHTSA Recall 15V318000) About 419,235 vehicles with dual-stage driver air bags including model year 2004 325I cars face moisture intrusion causing inflator rupture risk. Metal fragments could injure occupants during a crash. Owners are advised not to drive the affected vehicles until fixed. BMW will replace the driver air bag module free of charge. This recall started in August 2016.
- Passenger air bag inflator replacement. (NHTSA Recall 20V018000) Approximately 292,948 vehicles, including the 2004 325I, have passenger air bag inflators using phase stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant that may explode due to propellant degradation from environmental exposure. Explosions could injure occupants with metal fragments. BMW will replace the inflators free of charge beginning February 13, 2020.
Owners of 2004 BMW 325I vehicles facing repeated repairs related to these safety defects or unresolved recall issues may have rights under their state lemon laws. Consulting with an attorney specializing in lemon law may provide guidance on potential remedies.
2004 BMW 325I Summary
2004
Model Year
3
Total Complaints
4
Total Recalls
1527190
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2004 BMW 325I
292948 vehicles affected
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 inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2004 BMW 325I
419235 vehicles affected
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 Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2004 BMW 325I
574007 vehicles affected
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 convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
2004 BMW 325I
241000 vehicles affected
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
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 WORKING.
Risk: INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Complaints
2004 BMW 325I
ID: 2092078ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I cannot use put my windows up/down, cannot open the trunk, cannot use interior lights, cannot unlock my gas lid. Due to a broke. Electronic part called the GM5
2004 BMW 325I
ID: 2092077EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I cannot use put my windows up/down, cannot open the trunk, cannot use interior lights, cannot unlock my gas lid. Due to a broke. Electronic part called the GM5
2004 BMW 325I
ID: 2092076VISIBILITY/WIPER
I cannot use put my windows up/down, cannot open the trunk, cannot use interior lights, cannot unlock my gas lid. Due to a broke. Electronic part called the GM5