2004 BMW 325XI problems
Owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 BMW 325XI. Air bags is the most reported problem area, at 42% of complaints. After that come lighting (12%) and electrical system (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 72 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 42% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 13 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 12 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 60,000 miles 33 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 7 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 7 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 5 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 9 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 3 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 33 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 60,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 13 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 12 injuries reported. Its complaints are more severe on average than those of 93% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2004 ranks 3rd most-complained-about out of 5 model years of the BMW 325XI with enough data (15 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl*the 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
My 2004 BMW 325xi sedan was about to carefully back into a service bay from just outside the garage door. Aware of the need for precision and care (there were people and items near the bay), I shifted into reverse, then very gently stepped on the accelerator pedal. There was a momentary hesitation, then the car began to go backward slowly for about a half second and then, without any action on my part, the engine suddenly roared to life and the car went backwards at tremendous speed.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 BMW 325xi. The contact stated the vehicle would not shift into drive in cold temperatures. When she was able to shift into drive and depress the accelerator pedal, there was a momentary delay and the vehicle would abnormally jerk forward before accelerating. The dealer advised that the failure was normal. The contact took the vehicle to a local repair facility for diagnostic testing but no failure codes were produced. The vehicle was not repaired.
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.