113 complaints reported

2005 BMW 3 Series Air Bags

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
113
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
4

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Mar 2025

The contact owns a 2005 BMW 325XI. 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 had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 325XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jan 2020
Dec 2024

The contact owns a 2005 BMW 325XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V31800 (Air Bags) and 14V428000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 325XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jul 2014
Sep 2023

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 325I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jan 2023
Sep 2021 Crash Injury

The contact owned a 2005 BMW 330XI. The contact received a recall notification letter for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V018000 ( air bags) which they took the vehicle to a local dealer who performed the recall repair on the vehicle. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed the contact was making a U-turn when another driver t- bone and crashed into the rear passenger side door. The air bags did not deploy. There was no medical treatment at the scene however the next day the contact and her grandson went to the hospital. The contact sustained an injury to their back while her grandson injured his neck and back. A police report was filed. The contact had the vehicle towed to a towed yard where it was later deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 330XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Sep 2021
Apr 2021

2005 BMW 325XI. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING THE TAKATA AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED IN ORDER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, IT NEEDED TO BE TOWED. THE CONSUMER HAD AN UNSATISFATORY EXPERIENCE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP ONCE BEFORE. *JS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 325XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Apr 2021
May 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V018000(AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TO HENDRICK BMW (6950 E INDEPENDENCE BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28227, (704) 321-4851) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 330CI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Mar 2020
Feb 2020

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 325CI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Feb 2016
Nov 2017

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 325CI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Dec 2017
Oct 2017

TAKATA RECALL NOT REPLACED

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 330XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: May 2017
Aug 2017

TAKATA RECALL HELLO, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL FOR MY VEHICLE. AS I CHECKED THE NHTSA SYSTEM, IT STATED THAT BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER AIRBAG SYSTEM NEEDED A RECALL. TAKATA HAS A SETTLEMENT OPEN FOR MY VEHICLE. PLEASE INFORM ME ON THE NEXT STEP TO TAKE TO HANDLE THIS SITUATION, BEFORE THE WORST COULD HAPPEN. THANK,YOU FOR YOUR HELP. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT (678)983-6806. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 330CI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Aug 2017
Jun 2017

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 325I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jun 2015
May 2017

BMW OF ARLINGTON HAS HAD ME ON A WAITING LIST FOR OVER A YEAR TO COMPLETE THE AIRBAG RECALL. THEY DO NOT SEEM TO CARE IF THIS MANDATORY RECALL GETS DONE OR NOT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 325XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: May 2016
May 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT THAT CONTAINED THE AIR BAG FAILED TO OPEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,360. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 330CI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: May 2017
Mar 2017

"TAKATA RECALL"- WE RECEIVED A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 2016 ABOUT THE RECALL OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND OUR CAR WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IT SAYS " YOUR VEHICLE IS ALSO AFFECTED BY A PASSENGER AIRBAG RECALL" AND " WE ARE PLEASED TO INFORM YOU THAT WE HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS TO COMPLETE THIS RECALL". PRIOR TO THE LETTER ( AUGUST 26, 2016), THIS PARTICULAR CAR HAD CHANGED OIL AT PACIFIC BMW AND CHECKED THE AIRBAG AND NOTED " RECALL: PERFORMS RECALLS/ REPLACE DRIVER'S AIRBAG/ PARTS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME/ UNABLE TO PERFORM RECALL". THEY ADVISED ME TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP ON THIS MATTER, WE CONTACTED ON THE FOLLOWING MONTH BUT THEY SAID " THERE WAS NO AVAILABLE PARTS" AND THEY WOULD CALL US ONCE IT'S AVAILABLE. IT'S BEEN 6 MONTHS NOW AND WE HAVEN'T RECEIVE ANY CALL OR ADVICE FROM THE DEALERSHIP ( PACIFIC BMW ) ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF THE SAID AIRBAG RECALL AND WHEN TO REPLACE IT. OUR CAR JUST SITTING IN THE GARAGE OR WE BARELY USE IT BECAUSE OF THIS AIRBAG RECALL AND AFRAID TO PUT MYSELF AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER. I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [XXX] TEL NO [XXX] EMAIL: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 330I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Aug 2016
Jan 2017

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 325I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Dec 2017
Dec 2016

LETTER FROM SENATOR KING JR ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING THE RECALL OF AIRBAGS IN HIS 2005 BMW 330XI (ATTN: KATIE FELLOWS). *SMD THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEACTIVATED, UNTIL THE PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE.. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 330XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jan 2015
Nov 2016

TAKATA RECALL PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT ATTEMPTED FOR 10/27/16. PETER PAN BMW CANCELED APPOINTMENT AND NOTIFIED ME THE PARTS WERE NOT IN STOCK AND THERE WAS NO ESTIMATE FOR DELIVERY. 30 DAYS HAVE PASSED WITH NO UPDATES FROM THE DEALERSHIP. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS ARE AFFECTED BY THE RECALL.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 3 SERIES, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Oct 2016
Nov 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER REPORTED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 325I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Feb 2015
Nov 2016

TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A NOTICE ABOUT THE RECALL BACK ON JULY 2015 AND STILL HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED THAT I CAN HAVE THIS FIXED! I HAD A TOYOTA VEHICLE THAT WAS REMEDIED VERY QUICKLY! THIS RECALL SHOULD NOT TAKE OVER A YEAR TO HAVE IT FIXED. I AM DRIVING THIS CAR AND WANT THIS DOCUMENTED!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 3 SERIES, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jan 2015
Nov 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 3 SERIES, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Nov 2016
Nov 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT TO TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 08/30/16*LJ UPDATED 10/26/16.*JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 330CI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Nov 2016
Nov 2016

TAKATA RECALL: DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG. WE HAVE RECEIVED 2 NOTICES OF DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS SEPTEMBER 2014 AND MAY 2015. WE HAD THE PASSENGER REPLACED BUT HAVE WAITED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FOR OVER A YEAR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BUY ONE MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR THAT IF WE DIDN'T FEEL SAFE DON'T DRIVE IT. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD WE CAN HAVE IT DISCONNECTED. I JUST WANT THE PROBLEM FIXED AND MY WIFE TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE HER CAR SAFELY. RIGHT NOW HER LIFE IS IN DANGER EVERY TIME SHE DRIVES HER CAR. CAN YOU HELP US WITH THIS ISSUE?

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 330XI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jan 2014
Oct 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 325I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Oct 2016
Oct 2016

"TAKATA RECALL" I RECEIVED A LETTER ON JULY 2015 THAT DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG MODULE HAD A RECALL NOTICE. I CONTACTED THE BMW PETER PAN IN BURLINGAME, CA IMMEDIATELY. THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD CALL ME WHEN THEY HAD THE PARTS AVAILABLE. I HAVE BEEN CALLING NUMEROUS TIMES AND HAD EVEN BMW OF NORTH AMERICA CALL THE DEALER. I AM FRUSTRATED AS 15 MONTHS DELAY HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID TO USE THE CAR. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT CAN BE DONE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 325I, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Jan 2015
Oct 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2005 BMW 330CI, Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Incident: Oct 2014

Trend Over Time

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Quick Summary

The 2005 BMW 3 Series has 113 Air Bags complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.