Vehicle Data Hub

2004 BMW 325I electrical system problems

Owners reported electrical system problems in 21 complaints for the 2004 BMW 325I, 12% of the complaints on file. It is the 3rd most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
21 12% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
82,000 miles 18 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
0 and 5
Injuries and deaths
0 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When electrical system problems show up

Electrical system complaints by mileage, 2004 BMW 325I Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 82,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 1 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 1 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 6 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 1 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 2 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 2 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 2 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 0 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 1 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 2 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 82,000 miles
Based on 18 complaints that include mileage. 44% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles1
20k to 40k miles1
40k to 60k miles6
60k to 80k miles1
80k to 100k miles2
100k to 120k miles2
120k to 140k miles2
140k to 160k miles0
160k to 180k miles1
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles2

What the data shows

Of the 18 electrical system complaints that report mileage, the median is about 82,000 miles, and 44% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 5 fires.

What owners wrote

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 BMW 325I. The contact stated that the faulty lamp warning indicator would intermittently illuminate on the instrument panel. The electrical harness that plugs into the rear of the lamp harness for the exterior lighting had a faulty ground in the connector. The dealer stated that the wires could not take the heat distribution, which caused the wires to fry inside the connector. The failure also caused the turn signals and rear lamps to not operate correctly.

Reported at 85,000 miles, March 2009 Fire

The vehicle came equipped from the factory with bi-xenon auto leveling headlights manufactured by zkw. The light output of the headlights is below any vehicle that I have encountered on the road. Cars that are over 20 years old have brighter headlights. I have replaced the bulbs and it hasn't helped. Looking at it further, brown scorch marks are visible in the projector when the headlight is on. The rear of the projector is completely brown and burnt. At night, it is becoming very difficult to see.

Reported at 109,000 miles, June 2012

Other problems reported for the 2004 BMW 325I

Electrical system problems in other years

  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004
  • 2003
  • 2002
  • 2001
  • 2000
  • 1999
  • 1995
  • 1994
  • 1993
  • 1992
  • 1991
  • 1990

Electrical system problems across all BMW models