21 of the 182 complaints about the 2004 BMW 325I are about the electrical system — 12% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 82,000 miles.
21
Complaints
0
Crashes
5
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ELECTRICAL 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
NHTSA complaint #11661364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE GROUND WIRE ON MY BREAK LIGHT HAS BURNED THROUGH THE 8 PIN CONNECTOR NOT ONLY IS THIS LIMITING MY ABILITY TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS IT IS A MAJOR FIRE HAZARD THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING A RECALL SERVICE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP I DO NOT BELIEVE. THE PROPER STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM AND IF THIS CAN NOT BE RESOLVED INFORMALLY I WOULD LIKE TO PURSUE FORMAL LITIGATION AGAINST ALL PARTIES INVOLVED AND FOR DISCOVERY PURPOSE ALL RELATED CORRESPONDENCE, VIDEO, AND RECORDED EVIDENCE SHOULD BE PRESERVED. CURRENTLY THE BREAK LIGHT IS NOT WORKING AND THERE ARE DEFECTIVE AND HAZARDOUS AIRBAGS.
NHTSA complaint #11377873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED AT A FUELING STATION AND WHEN EXITING THE STORE NOTICED SMOKE EXITING THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT USED THE KEY FOB TO OPEN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT TRUNK WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE DEPARTMENT WERE CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE AND POLICE REPORT WERE FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS NOT DUE TO OPERATOR INVOLVEMENT AND WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER WHICH STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS POSSIBLY DUE TO RODENT INTRUSION IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. *LN
NHTSA complaint #11307664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY LEFT REVERSE/TAIL LIGHT DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULB AND ASSEMBLY AND ALSO HAVE FOUND ONLINE THAT THERE WERE RECALLS FOR THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11192596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR SITTING IN DRIVEWAY OF PRIMARY RESIDENCE FOR SEVERAL DAYS AFTER REPEATED HEAVY RAINS AND HURRICANES AND SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE WAS SELF EXTINGUISHED BUT STARTED IN DASH ON LEFT SIDE OF STEERING WHEEL CENTERED ON THE HEAD-LIGHT CONTROL MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #11152077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR SEAT WARMER BURNED THROUGH LEATHER AND BURNED THROUGH MY COAT. I MADE COMPLIANT TO BMW AND SPOKE TO MICHAEL PIGONCELLI. BMW REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT OR TO COMPENSATE ME FOR MY COAT. THE CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED. THE SEAT WARMER WILL SEVERELY INJURE ANYONE WHO USES IT IF A HEAVY COAT IS NOT WORN. I WAS TOLD BY THE BMW DEALERSHIP THAT THE SEAT WARMER BURNING THROUGH THE LEATHER AND PEOPLES SKIN/COAT IS COMMON. BMW (NEWMARKET, ONTARIO) TOOK PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE TO THE SEAT AND MY COAT.
NHTSA complaint #11074338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ALL DOORS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF DRIVERS DOOR, ARE UNABLE TO OPEN MANUALLY INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. CANNOT USE ALARM OR UNLOCK BUTTON TO OPEN EITHER. THIS IS OF GREAT CONCERN CONSIDERING I HAVE TWO YOUNG CHILDREN UNDER MY CARE.
NHTSA complaint #10713905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LIGHT MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 202,000. UPDATED 4/7/15
NHTSA complaint #10679998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY AND BY USING THE KEY FOB BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
NHTSA complaint #10678991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CANNOT OPEN THE 3 PASSENGER DOORS FROM INTERIOR. PASSENGERS CANNOT EXIT THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10561003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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. AT THIS POINT I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.
NHTSA complaint #10460516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY BMW 325I XENON HEADLIGHT BOWLS HAD MELTED AND DIMMED TOA DANGEROUS POINT, THEY ARE ALL ORIGINAL AND UNALTERED.
NHTSA complaint #10452867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MINUTES WHEN WE WERE ALERTED BY THE FIRE ALARM IN OUR CONDO BUILDING. UPON EVACUATING THE BUILDING, WE WERE TOLD THAT OUR 2004 BMW 325I WAS ON FIRE. WE STILL HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN ANY SPECIFIC CAUSE FOR THE FIRE, EXCEPT THAT IT WAS PROBABLY ELECTRICAL IN NATURE. SPECIAL AGENTS FROM OUR INSURANCE COMPANY WERE ALSO CALLED IN, WHO, IN TURN, CALLED IN TWO MORE EXPERTS. EVIDENCE WAS BAGGED AND THE CAR WAS SHRINK WRAPPED TO BE TAKEN TO A LOT WITH AT LEAST THREE OTHER BMW'S WHICH HAD ALSO CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST FRIGHTENING THINGS TO EVER HAPPEN TO US. WE ARE POSTING THIS HOPING IT CAN HELP THIS FROM HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE.
NHTSA complaint #10451760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DURING A MASSIVE RAINSTORM WINDSHIELD WIPERS, RADIO AND CENTRAL LOOKING SYSTEM STOP FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. LOOKS LIKE GENERAL MODULE 5 HAS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10428320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
REAR TURN-SIGNAL INDICATORS BEGAN FAILING TO OPERATE, ESPECIALLY IN HOT, HUMID CONDITIONS. INSPECTION OF WIRING HARNESS REVEALED EVIDENCE OF WIRING-CONNECTION DEGRADATION BY HEAT OR CORROSION. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DAMAGED OR FLOODED IN ANY WAY. IT IS KEPT IN A GARAGE. SINCE BOTH REAR BLINKER ASSEMBLIES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED, I BELIEVE THAT THE DESIGN OR ENGINEERING WAS DEFECTIVE. THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF TURN SIGNALS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10424519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2004 BMW 325I - SAFETY DEFECT. REAR TAIL LIGHT WIRING, MISSING ADDITIONAL GROUND WIRE TO AVOID BURNING BULB CARRIER. BMW SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN ISSUED 2/2007 REVEALS BMW WAS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND FAILED TO NOTIFY CONSUMERS. PURCHASED CAR CPO IN MARCH 2007 AND WAS NOT TOLD. REPLACED SEVERAL TAILLIGHT BULBS DUE TO INTERMITTENT FALSE INDICATOR LIGHTS. FINALLY IN 2011, 1 YEAR AFTER CAR CAME OUT OF WARRANTY...REMOVED THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE BULB CARRIER AND FOUND IT TO BE MELTING. CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT COULD DEFINITELY START A FIRE IF LEFT TOO LONG. BMW DEALER ALSO STATED THIS IS A DEFECT ON CARS PRODUCED FROM 2001 TO 2005. AFTER DOING RESEARCH FOUND THAT BMW HAS USED FAULTY WIRING AND THERE IS A ADDITIONAL GROUND WIRE NEEDED TO FIX. NEEDLESS TO SAY , HAD TO PAY 300.00 TO HAVE PEACE OF MIND AND REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10410598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TAIL LIGHT WORKING INTERMITTENTLY IN BMW 2004 325 4 DOOR SEDAN.
NHTSA complaint #10402913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
JUST PAID $419.53 FOR REPAIR ON MY 2004 BMW 3 SERIES FOR TAIL LAMP CONNECTIONS AND GROUNDS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS DEFECT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION IN NUMBER EA09-019. PLEASE INCLUDE ME AND INFORM ME WHEN I CAN SUBMIT PAID BILL, AS I WAS TERRIFIED WHILE DRIVING IN FL ON TURNPIKE WHEN A LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD SHOWED MY REAR BRAKES WERE FAILING. I IMMEDIATELY FOUND FIELDS BMW JIN WINTER PARK FL AND BROUGHT IT THERE. THEY WERE AWARE OF DEFECT AND TOLD ME THAT THEIR FIX WOULD INCLUDE GROUNDING OTHER REAR BRAKE LIGHT TO PREVENT OTHER SIDE FROM FAILURE. THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #10381256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS DEFECTIVE LIGHT BULBS (ONE FROM TWO DIFFERENT SETS FAILED WHEN ONE SET WAS INSTALLED FOR MY TURN SIGNAL AND THE OTHER FROM MY BRAKE LIGHTS), BUT AS I BEGAN TO DO MORE RESEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND THAT OTHER PEOPLE WERE HAVING AN ISSUE SIMILAR TO MINE. THEY REPORTED THAT THERE SEEMED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT WOULD CAUSE CORROSION AND A LOOSE CONNECTION. SO I DECIDED TO CHECK MY CAR OUT AS WELL AND DISCOVERED THAT THE PROBLEM HAD AFFLICTED MY VEHICLE AS WELL. I THEN FOLLOWED THE LINK TO THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN RELEASED BY BMW, AND THE PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING IS JUST AS THEY HAVE DESCRIBED. ONE OF THE 8-PIN REAR LAMP CONNECTORS HAS MELTED CAUSING A LOOSE CONNECTION AND MY CAR CONTINUING TO TELL ME THAT I HAVE A DEAD BULB, WHEN IN FACT IT IS THE CONNECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10279822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURES; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS PERTAINING TO THE ISSUES (NHTSA ITEM NUMBERS 10025585 AND 10020856). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #10263031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
SPEEDOMETER READING OFF BY ~5 MILES PER HOUR - GIVE OR TAKE. TWICE REQUESTED DEALERSHIP TO CORRECT THE ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT BMW ALLOWS FOR A +/ - 10 MPH DISCREPANCY. THIS SPEED VARIANCE OR INEXACT SPEED INFORMATION COULD MISLEAD DRIVERS AS TO THE APPROPRIATE SPEED IN ICY OR RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS AS WELL AS OTHER INSTANCES WHERE SPEED NEEDS TO BE UNDERSTOOD. DEFECT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED AS MIGHT VIOLATE VARIOUS STATE INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10216311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.