2005 BMW 325i Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

4 safety recalls on file

The 2005 BMW 325i has 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.

Owners have filed 71 complaints with NHTSA, including 3 crashes, 2 fires, 4 injuries.

The most-reported problem area is Air Bags (33 reports).

4Recalls
71Owner complaints
3Crashes reported
n/aNHTSA safety rating
Is the repair still open on your 325i?

A recall covers specific vehicles. Your VIN shows whether yours still needs the free repair.

2005 BMW 325i recalls

Passenger airbag may explode and send metal shrapnel into occupants

Recall 20V018Jan 15, 2020292,948 vehicles affected

The passenger-side front airbag inflator in these BMW vehicles can degrade over time, especially after long exposure to high humidity, high temperatures, and repeated temperature changes.

Passenger Airbag Inflator May Rupture, Sending Metal Fragments

Recall 14V428Jun 11, 2018574,007 vehicles affected

The passenger side frontal airbag may build up excessive internal pressure when it deploys, which could cause the inflator to rupture.

Driver air bag may rupture and spray metal fragments

Recall 15V318May 28, 2015419,235 vehicles affected

The driver's frontal air bag inflator can be affected by moisture over time.

Most common 2005 BMW 325i problems

Problem areas named in the 71 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem areaReports
Air Bags33
Exterior Lighting18
Electrical System11
Power Train4
Vehicle Speed Control3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Tires2
Visibility2
Wheels1
Latches/Locks/Linkages1

What owners report

2026-07-09, Electrical System
The complaint was filed on behalf of the contact's mother. The contact's mother owned a 2005 BMW 325i. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, the contact's brother noticed that the vehicle was on fire. The contact's brother used a nearby water hose and extinguished the fire. The Fire Department and the Police arrived. A fire report and a Police report were filed, however the Police report information was unavailable. In addition, the contact was informed that the light module was the source of the fire. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure. The vehicle remained at the residence. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was made aw
2023-09-19, Air Bags
The contact owns a 2005 BMW 325I. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the passenger’s side air bag warning illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V018000 (Air Bags) and related the failure to the recall. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.
2018-09-14, Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE FUEL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, OR ENGINE WAS THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND FAIL TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY MAY BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
2017-06-29, Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG AND FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF ONTARIO (1350 AUTO CENTER DR, ONTARIO, CA 91761), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT BMW WAS NOT AT FAULT, THERE WAS NO RECALL, AND THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
2017-01-13, Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE AND COMPLETED THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR A PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG RECALL. THE DEALER DID NOT STATE IF THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

2005 BMW 325i questions

Does the 2005 BMW 325i have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2005 BMW 325i: Passenger airbag may explode and send metal shrapnel into occupants; Passenger Airbag Inflator May Rupture, Sending Metal Fragments; Driver air bag may rupture and spray metal fragments; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights; Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 BMW 325i?

Based on 71 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (33), Exterior Lighting (18), Electrical System (11).

How do I check if a recall on my 2005 BMW 325i has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

Other BMW 325i years

Other 2005 BMW models