FaultScore

BMW 325CI airbag problems

133 of the 289 complaints filed about the BMW 325CI are about the airbag system — 46% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2004.

133

Complaints

46%

Share of all complaints

2

Crashes

2

Fires

Airbags complaints by model year

2000 325CI 2 1.5%
2001 325CI 13 9.8%

Median failure at 152,500 miles

2002 325CI 23 17.3%

Median failure at 112,500 miles

2003 325CI 10 7.5%

Median failure at 28,000 miles

2004 325CI 41 30.8%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

2005 325CI 20 15.0%

Median failure at 59,500 miles

2006 325CI 24 18.0%

Median failure at 29,000 miles

What owners said

2002 BMW 325CI at 164,000 miles Virginia Beach, VA

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325CI. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 15V318000 (Air Bags) and 13V172000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall repairs were completed. The vehicle was retrieved from the dealer. The contact stated that upon retrieving the vehicle from the dealer, the contact's husband stated that while starting the vehicle, the instrument cluster failed to power on, and the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the instrument cluster was not working when the vehicle was brought to the dealer. The contact was informed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the parts were ordered. The vehicle was being repaired. In addition, the contact was not informed if the repair was covered by the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the issue was between the contact and the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.

NHTSA complaint #11757767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 BMW 325CI Santa Barbara, CA

AIR BAGS

I brought my 325ci into BMW Buena Park to have an airbag recall completed. There were no issues prior to dropping the car off at dealership but when the car was returned the airbag system light was on and was filled with error codes. I returned the car to the dealer and they cleared the codes but on my way home the dash light returned and faults were present after taking to 2 independent specialists. I returned to the dealer and spoke to service manager who said they would review and let me know their findings. They never responded and left me with a car that is now unsafe to drive. I believe this is the result of poor workmanship in addressing an NHTSA recall and has turned a potential safety concern into a real one. I have contacted BMW USA about this as well.

NHTSA complaint #11714560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 BMW 325CI Ventura, CA

AIR BAGS

I took my vehicle to a BMW authorized service dealer for the repair of the "AirBag Recall" notice I received in the mail. The dealer did the recall repair and about a week later the light came back on and has remained on. After that happened my electric started acting up and also I was not able to get my convertible roof to go up or down ever again. I politely contacted the dealership, (and not wanting to bad mouth them) it apparently fell on deaf ears followed by what I felt was an accusation and insult on my ignorance of being an older woman and that it was impossible,that maybe I did something to it. I didn't want to issue a complaint because they ARE a reputable operation plus I'm retired, on limited income and didn't know how to get this resolved. I welcome any help you may want to offer or any direction in regards to this. Thank you in advance for taking time to read this, as I may be way of base by submitting this here. Ps. The convertible top worked perfect as well as my electrical prior to bringing in my vehicle for the recall, to be clear, it was that same afternoon/early eve. when I left the dealership that my electrical and dash lights went crazy and I couldn't use my convertible roof anymore. The airbag light came on about a week later and has stayed on ever since, for about 5 or 6 years now and still hasn't gone off

NHTSA complaint #11522187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 BMW 325CI Jacksonville, FL

AIR BAGS

2002 BMW 325 I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THE CONSUMER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REMAINING EXPENSES.THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED.

NHTSA complaint #11462454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 BMW 325CI Spring Hill, FL

AIR BAGS

The TAKATA airbags were replaced April 8, 2021, by Reeds Import, Tampa FL. Please save a tree and stop sending recall notices. Thank you. Mark

NHTSA complaint #11418962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 BMW 325CI at 75,000 miles Holly Springs, NC

AIR BAGS

AFTER RECALLED AIR BAGS REPLACED, ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER NEW AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND DIAGNOSED AS PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR MAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. JUST RANDOMLY THE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. I SEE THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN BMWS AND THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR OTHER MODELS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #11398889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 BMW 325CI Williamsburg, VA

AIR BAGS

2004 BMW 325CI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD

NHTSA complaint #11349406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 BMW 325CI at 179,400 miles SAN Antonio, TX

AIR BAGS

I CALLED MY DEALER LAST YEAR TO SCHEDULE TO FIX MY RECALL ON MY CAR. UNFORTUNATELY I DID NOT WENT TO MY APPOINTMENT. NOW ONE OF THE BAGS EXPLODED, AND I CALLED THE DELEGAR AGAIN TO DO MY RECALL, BUT TO MY SURPRISE THE HAVE MY CAR IN RECORDS AS REPAIR!! AND I TOLD THE THAT NEVER HAPPENED. THEY PROMISED TO CHECK AND CALL ME BACK AND HAS NOT HAPPENED EITHER. THIS IS THE BMW SAN ANTONIO TEXAS DELEGAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS FRAUD! I WANT TO HAVE THE RECALL DONE AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T GO AWAY WITH IT. I DON'T HAVE ANY DOCUMENTATION TO UPLOAD ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T EXIST. NEVERTHELESS I DO HAVE A PICTURE THAT SHOWS THE AIRBAG THAT EXPLODED IS FROM 2003, AS THE REST OF THEM. I FEEL SO ANGRY AND DISAPPOINTED. MY NAME IS [XXX], OWNER OF THE 2004 BMW 325CI INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC

NHTSA complaint #11326536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 BMW 325CI Louisville, KY

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V018000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BMW OF LOUISVILLE (2200 BLANKENBAKER PKWY, LOUISVILLE, KY 40299, (502) 287-1501) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #11323755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 BMW 325CI at 116,000 miles Little River, SC

AIR BAGS

PLEASE REMOVE THIS VEHICLE FROM THE RECALL LIST FOR TAKATA AIR BAG REPLACEMENT.. I HAD THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG REPLACED IN 2016, AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP IN WILMINGTON, NC. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THE REPLACEMENT WASN'T REPORTED, BUT THAT DEALERSHIP DID HAVE AN OWNERSHIP CHANGE AFTER MY REPLACEMENT. I CONTINUE TO RECEIVE DOZENS OF NOTIFICATIONS FOR THIS RECALL, THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED. I'VE CONTACTED BMW AT LEAST 3 TIMES, BUT SOMEHOW I'M STILL ON THIS LIST. PLEASE REMOVE MY VEHICLE FROM THE RECALL LIST IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA complaint #11306539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 BMW 325CI at 36,596 miles Dayton, OH Fire

AIR BAGS

FAULTY DMTL NOW NEEDS A THIRD COMPONENT AT 49,000. MILES. JUST REPLACED DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS IN TRUNK THAT CAUSED SOME LIGHTS TO FAIL AND BURNT UP A RELAY FAULTY DESIGN. TRANSMISSION CABLE GETS STUCK WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF DRIVE & N. NEEDS CABLE RE ALIGNED OR REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 49,000. MILES VERY DANGEROUS. DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HAS FAILED .AGAIN. SOME HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING OTHERS AFFECT PASSENGERS SAFTEY.

NHTSA complaint #11302982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 BMW 325CI Clermont, GA

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V853000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. DEALER FIELDS BMW SOUTH ORLANDO (9750 S ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL, ORLANDO, FL 32837) CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11289251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 BMW 325CI at 145,000 miles Amarillo, TX

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED A CARD IN THE MAIL FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA INFORMING ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG FOR MY 2003 BMW X5. WHEN WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP IN AMARILLO TEXAS, AUTOPLEX BMW, WE WERE TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER KENDRA THAT WE ARE WELCOME TO BUY NEW CARS FROM THEM BUT THEY WILL NO LONGER HONOR WARRANTY OR RECALL. WORK FOR ANYONE WITH THE LAST NAME (XXXX) OR WHO IS RELATED TO OR AFFILIATED WITH DR. (XXXXX). IS THERE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE WITH THIS MATTER?3 THE RECALL STATES THAT THE INFLATOR COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IF UN RESOLVED, DOES THE BMW DEALER HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PERFORM THE RECALL, JEPRODIZING MY SAFETY FOR WHATEVER PERSONAL VENDETTA THEY HAVE AGAINST DR. (XXXX), MY SON? (XXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11206992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 BMW 325CI at 83,000 miles Stony Brook, NY

AIR BAGS

BMW 325CI 2006 FRONT LEFT ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHT WIRING DETERIORATES OVER TIME. THIS CAUSE THE WIRING TO CRACK AND FAIL. THE FRONT LEFT HEADLIGHT FAILED WHILE DRIVING, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE DRIVER AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. WHEN THE WIRING FAILS THE DRIVER CANNOT DISPLAY TURN SIGNALS, USE HIGH BEAMS OR ANY HEADLIGHT FUNCTIONS. BMW DOES NOT PROVIDE A SOLUTION OR HELP TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT NIGHT WHEN THE HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE PART IS THE FRONT HEADLIGHT IGNITER WIRING HARNESS. THE FAILURE HAPPENED INSIDE A SEALED COMPARTMENT AND IS NOT EXPOSED TO ANY OUTSIDE ELEMENTS. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE, A GOOGLE SEARCH WILL BRING UP MULTIPLE OTHER CASES OF FAILURE IN OTHER CARS WITH PICTURES. BMW 335CI 2006 REAR TAIL LIGHTS SHORT OUT FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND DO NOT DISPLAY TURN SIGNALS. A FAULT IS SHOWN ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND DOES NOT GO AWAY. THE WARNING LIGHT IS ONLY DISPLAYED AFTER THE TURN SIGNAL IS TURNED ON. BMW 325CI A FRONT AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED WHILE DRIVING AND DOES NOT SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND DOES NOT SHUT OFF. BMW325CI A FRONT SEATBELT WARNING LIGHT IS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH PERIODICALLY AND DOES NOT SHUT OFF. THE WARNING SUGGESTS THERE IS A FAILURE WITH THE SEATBELT. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION.

NHTSA complaint #11152339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 BMW 325CI at 115,000 miles Garner, NC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED BRUISES, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA complaint #11129899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 BMW 325CI Apopka, FL

AIR BAGS

2001 BMW 325 CI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND HIT THE CONSUMER IN THE HEAD CAUSING BRAIN INJURY AND EYE IRRITATION. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE CONSUMER PAID OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE THE AIR BAG REPLACED DUE TO THE PARTS NOT BEING AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL. THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS REPLACED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS DEEMED TO BE A SAFE AIRBAG. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REFUNDED THE COST OF REPLACING THE AIRBAG.

NHTSA complaint #11053128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 BMW 325CI Sacramento, CA

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INDEPENDENT SALES LOCATION THAT SOLD THE VEHICLE MADE NO MENTION OF TWO RECALLS PRIOR TO THE CONTACT PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A NOTIFICATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #11051242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 BMW 325CI Hilton Head Island, SC

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. HILTON HEAD BMW (1230 FORDING ISLAND RD, BLUFFTON, SC 29910) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #11025238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 BMW 325CI at 8,600 miles Minneola, FL

AIR BAGS

HEADLIGHT RIGHT HAND SIDE

NHTSA complaint #11020360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 BMW 325CI at 180,000 miles LA Havra, CA

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325CI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

NHTSA complaint #11019627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.