U.S. public vehicle records

2005 Bmw 325XI problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

27 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

69,520 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2005 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 12 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 27 complaints (66.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	4	14.8%
Engine operation	1	3.7%
Steering behavior	1	3.7%
Fuel system concerns	1	3.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags

Unknown Or Other

Electrical System

Vehicle Speed Control

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

Exterior Lighting

Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights

Fuel System, Gasoline

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Air Bags	18
Unknown Or Other	3
Electrical System	2
Vehicle Speed Control	2
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	1
Exterior Lighting	1
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights	1
Fuel System, Gasoline	1

Air Bags: 18; Unknown Or Other: 3; Electrical System: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 15 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2006

2010

2011

2012

2014

2015

2016

2017

2019

2021

2024

2025

2006: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2014: 4; 2015: 3; 2016: 6; 2017: 2; 2019: 3; 2021: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10349450 · 2010-08-15 (August 15, 2010)

I HAD A WELL DOCUMENTED EPISODE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION (FOOT ON BRAKE, CAR REVVED SUDDENLY, THEN I FLIPPED IT INTO NEUTRAL). THIS OCCURRED ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. NO ONE WAS INJURED. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. I HAVE A COPY OF THE RECORDS. I THOUGHT THAT THIS MIGHT BE USEFUL IN OTHER INVESTIGATIONS OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 42,849 miles reported. Look up ODI 10349450 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10426754 · 2011-09-22 (September 22, 2011)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR COILS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE HAND BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE TO INDICATE IF THE HAND BRAKE WAS ON OR NOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10426754 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10946734 · 2017-01-20 (January 20, 2017)

SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ABS LIGHT ON FUEL SENSOR THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING IT MULTIPLE CODES R SHOWING UP WHEN VEHICLE HAD A COMPUTER SCAN VEHICLE WAS PERFORMED. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A STREET STALLED BRAKES FAILED TO STOP STRIKING A CAR IN FRONT ON I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A USED AR DEALER IN JUNE2016 WHO ASSURED ME HIS WAS A SAFE CAR TO DRIVE AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR 2 MONTHS THE PROBLEMS STARTED FRONT STRUTS WERE BROKE BRAKES WERE GONE BACK SHOCKS R BROKE N CHECK ENGINES ON ABS LIGHT IS ON. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 117,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10946734 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10578118 · 2014-04-07 (April 7, 2014)

MY WIFE PARKED THE CAR IN THE DOCTORS OFFICE PARKING LOT. IT WAS 58 DEGREES AND RAINING. SHE LEFT OUR FAMILY PET IN THE CAR. WHEN SHE CAME OUT OF THE DOCTORS OFFICE SHE SAW THAT THE CAR WAS FULL OF SMOKE. THE KEY FOB WOULD NOT OPEN THE LOCKS. THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. THE GLASS IN THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT BREAK UNDER HER STRENGTH EVEN WITH A GLASS HAMMER THAT SOMEONE MANAGED TO RETRIEVE FOR HER. SHE FINALLY REMEMBERED THE KEY AND WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. OUR DOG WAS LIFELESS, FIRE AND RESCUE TRIED TO REVIVE HER TO NO AVAIL. T…

Owner-reported narrative. 114,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10578118 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10159147 · 2006-06-06 (June 6, 2006)

EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STARTING MY 2005 BMW 325 XI ON TWO CONSECUTIVE MORNINGS, ON THE THIRD THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ON THE PRECEDING DAYS AFTER IT DID START THE CAR RAN NORMALLY THE REST OF THE DAY AND WOULD START WITHOUT HESITATION WITHIN THE SAME DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER NOT STARTING ON THE THIRD DAY. THE DEALERSHIP SAID I HAD "CONTAMINATED FUEL" AND THAT THE FOLLOWING PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED: FUEL TANK, FUEL PUMP, & FUEL FILTER. THEIR INITIAL REASON FOR THE FAILURE WAS THAT I PURCHASED CONTAMINATED FU…

Owner-reported narrative. 28,868 miles reported. Look up ODI 10159147 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

27 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

44.4%Usable mileage12 / 27 records

100.0%Valid incident date27 / 27 records

100.0%Valid filing date27 / 27 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates27 / 27 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012
Air Bags	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	214.3% ODI 10730465 I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2001 BMW 325XI VEHICLE. I LIVE IN THE SOUTH. THE PASSENGER SIDE ONLY TAKATA AIRBAG WAS RECALLED BY BMW AND REPLACED WITH ANOTHER TAKATA AIRBAG. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG WAS NOT RECALLED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS NOT AS CLOSE TO A POTENTIAL PASSENGER, ALTHOUGH BMW CONSIDERED IT VERY NECESSARY TO RECALL, BUT THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG IS MUCH CLOSER TO THE DRIVER, SINCE IT IS BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS MAKES NO SENSE. BOTH AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE BEEN AND NOW SHOULD BE RECALLED. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE OR POTENTIAL SER… Look up ODI 10730465 at NHTSA ↗	1217.6% ODI 10465021 · 50,000 mi AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR THE LAST 7 YEARS. BMW PENSACOLA AND CENTURY BMW GREENVILLE, SC HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AFTER MANY VISITS AND $1000. IN REPAIR CHARGES. BMW PENSACOLA SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO AND WOULD NOT REFUND MY CHARGES. CENTURY BMW WANTED ME TO PAY $775. TO TRY TO CHANGE A COMPUTER PART THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WOULD FIX IT. THEY REFUSE TO SAY IF THE AIRBAGS WILL WORK DURING AN ACCIDENT. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA SAYS IT IS A DEALER PROBLEM. Look up ODI 10465021 at NHTSA ↗	1445.2% ODI 10437638 · 71,000 mi I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 BMW 325XI WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED SUDDENLY. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT I HIT ANYTHING AND I DID NOT SEE ANY DAMAGE ON THE VEHICLE WHEN I INSPECTED THE CAR AFTER THE DEPLOYMENT. BMW INSPECTED THE CAR AND FOUND SOME DAMAGE UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND CLAIMED THAT THIS DAMAGE CAUSED THE DEPLOYMENT. HOWEVER, I AM ALMOST CERTAIN THAT THIS DAMAGE DID NOT OCCUR AT THE TIME OF THE DEPLOYMENT. BMW WAS NOT INTERESTED IN FURTHER INVESTIGATING MY CASE AND STUCK WITH THE CONCLUSION THAT THE MINOR DAMAGE FOUND UNDERNEATH THE CAR CAU… Look up ODI 10437638 at NHTSA ↗	2952.7% ODI 10670955 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED 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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 03/04/15LJ UPDATED 6/15/2015 JS Look up ODI 10670955 at NHTSA ↗	1866.7% ODI 10578118 · 114,000 mi MY WIFE PARKED THE CAR IN THE DOCTORS OFFICE PARKING LOT. IT WAS 58 DEGREES AND RAINING. SHE LEFT OUR FAMILY PET IN THE CAR. WHEN SHE CAME OUT OF THE DOCTORS OFFICE SHE SAW THAT THE CAR WAS FULL OF SMOKE. THE KEY FOB WOULD NOT OPEN THE LOCKS. THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. THE GLASS IN THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT BREAK UNDER HER STRENGTH EVEN WITH A GLASS HAMMER THAT SOMEONE MANAGED TO RETRIEVE FOR HER. SHE FINALLY REMEMBERED THE KEY AND WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. OUR DOG WAS LIFELESS, FIRE AND RESCUE TRIED TO REVIVE HER TO NO AVAIL. T… Look up ODI 10578118 at NHTSA ↗	6155.5% ODI 10400310 · 65,786 mi FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND WARNING SIGNALS SOUND EVERY TIME A PASSENGER SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, REGARDLESS OF OCCUPANT SIZE. THIS RESULTS IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING DEACTIVATED. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO BMW OF FORT MYERS (TWO OCCASIONS IN PERSON IN 2009 AND 2010) AND BMW (VIA THEIR ONLINE CUSTOMER EMAIL SYSTEM TWO TIMES IN 2010 AND 2011). NEITHER PARTY IS WILLING TO CHECK THE SYSTEM OR REPAIR IT EVEN THOUGH THE NHTSA WEBSITE INDICATES (1) BMW RECALLED 200,000 VEHICLES WITH THIS ISSUE AND (2) BMW HAS … Look up ODI 10400310 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	428.6% ODI 10533057 · 143,000 mi MY PASSENGER BRAKE LIGHT OUT OF THE BLUE STARTED NOT WORKING AS I TOOK IT IN THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID A SOCKET CONNECTOR THAT INVOLVES THE WIRES HAVE BEEN CORRUPTED AND BURNT OUT. THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD WHILE OUT ON THE ROADS,I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER POST ABOUT THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AND IM UNAWARE OF ANY RECALLS ABOUT THIS IS ISSUES. THIS IS A ISSUES THAT NEEDS TO HAVE SOME ATTENTION. *TR Look up ODI 10533057 at NHTSA ↗	1522.1% ODI 10022417 · 7,800 mi THE SEAT BELT LATCH TRIGGERED THE AIR BAG DEFAULT AND THE AIR BAG HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE SERVICE CHECK FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. EVEN THOUGH THE SYSTEM WAS CLEARED, DEFAULT/INOPERATIVE AIR BAG OCCURRED WITH THE NEXT SEAT BELT LATCH. (MODEL 325XI) JB SCC *JB Look up ODI 10022417 at NHTSA ↗	26.5% ODI 10465103 · 95,000 mi THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE REGARDING THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY 2003 BMW 325 XI. THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO GEAR. WHICH I ASSUME IS AS DESIGNED. ? HOWEVER THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK ONCE THE VEHICLE IS PLACED BACK IN PARK (ENGINE RUNNING OR NOT) NEITHER BY MANUAL MANIPULATION OF THE LOCK BUTTONS ON THE DOORS OR BY PRESSING THE DOOR UNLOCK SWITCH ON THE CONSOLE. ? FURTHERMORE, WITH THE SINGLE EXCEPTION OF THE DRIVER?S DOOR, ALL OTHER DOOR LATCHES ARE RENDERED NON-FUNCTIONING (INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHI… Look up ODI 10465103 at NHTSA ↗	47.3% ODI 10281871 · 52,000 mi THIS IS A FORMAL PETITION FOR A SAFETY DEFECT INVESTIGATION. MY 2004 BMW 325XI HAS A LEFT TAIL LIGHT THAT DOES NOT WORK BECAUSE OF A POOR CONNECTION AT THE REAR LAMP CONNECTOR (THE GROUND WIRE RECEPTACLE AND HOUSING HAVE BURNT OUT BECAUSE THE GROUND IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH FOR THE CURRENT). MY RIGHT TAIL LIGHT STILL FUNCTIONS BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS SIDE BURNING OUT AS WELL AND POSING A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. BMW HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN (SI B 63 03 06) WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE AND SAYS THAT THE CAUSE IS "MINOR CORROSION AT THE 8-PIN… Look up ODI 10281871 at NHTSA ↗	27.4% ODI 10578118 · 114,000 mi MY WIFE PARKED THE CAR IN THE DOCTORS OFFICE PARKING LOT. IT WAS 58 DEGREES AND RAINING. SHE LEFT OUR FAMILY PET IN THE CAR. WHEN SHE CAME OUT OF THE DOCTORS OFFICE SHE SAW THAT THE CAR WAS FULL OF SMOKE. THE KEY FOB WOULD NOT OPEN THE LOCKS. THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. THE GLASS IN THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT BREAK UNDER HER STRENGTH EVEN WITH A GLASS HAMMER THAT SOMEONE MANAGED TO RETRIEVE FOR HER. SHE FINALLY REMEMBERED THE KEY AND WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. OUR DOG WAS LIFELESS, FIRE AND RESCUE TRIED TO REVIVE HER TO NO AVAIL. T… Look up ODI 10578118 at NHTSA ↗	1110.0% ODI 10383057 · 82,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE CONCERNING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND STATED THAT THE INDEPENDENT BATTERY SYSTEM CORE HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE UNTIL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CAME OUT TO CHARGE THE BATTERY. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000. Look up ODI 10383057 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11142940 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER (A&L BMW, 3780 WILLIAM PENN HWY, MONROEVILLE, PA 15146) CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAIL… Look up ODI 11142940 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	17.1% ODI 10984961 · 176,000 mi I THINK I KNOW WHY THE CAR CATCHES ON FIRE SINCE MINE ALMOST DID AND I TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM. THE ALTERNATOR IS NOT DISCONNECTED FROM THE BATTERY WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED OFF AND THE CAR IS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. IF THE ALTERNATOR EVER OVERHEATS FOR ANY REASON (SUCH AS THE COOLING VENT COMES LOOSE), THE PASS TRANSISTOR IN THE BUILT IN REGULATOR OF THE ALTERNATOR BEGINS TO SHORT. SINCE IT IS NEVER DISCONNECTED FROM THE BATTERY (EVEN WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED) THE FIST SYMPTOM APPEARS TO BE A BAD BATTERY AS THE ALTERNATOR KI… Look up ODI 10984961 at NHTSA ↗	1522.1% ODI 10492968 · 102,046 mi HAD MAJOR OIL LEAK FROM VALVE COVER AREA. WAS PUTTING A QUART OF OIL INTO THE CAR EVERY 500 MILES. WHEN BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP FOUND OUT THAT VALVE COVER WAS CRACKED. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED AND REPLACED THE VALVE COVER AND GASKETS. *TR Look up ODI 10492968 at NHTSA ↗	412.9% ODI 10494739 · 140,000 mi BROUGHT IN MY CAR TO LOCAL MECHANIC THREE TIMES FOR OIL LEAK (OIL ON DRIVEWAY, OIL LIGHT SENSOR ON DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED). IN EACH CASE, I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED BUT AFTER TWO WEEKS THE DASHBOARD OIL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I THOUGHT MY MECHANIC WAS INEXPERIENCED WITH BMW'S, SO I TOOK IT TO A BMW DEALER AND ALL SEEMED FINE ($1,000 REPAIR) UNTIL TWO WEEKS LATER WHEN THE OIL LIGHT YET AGAIN APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD. I AM TAKING IT BACK TO THE BMW DEALER NEXT WEEK FOR A SECOND TIME. I BELIEVE EVERY POSSIBLE GASKET HAS BEEN REPLACED - REMEMBER … Look up ODI 10494739 at NHTSA ↗	47.3% ODI 10566801 · 134,000 mi WHILE DRIVING IN NORMAL RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY WIFE HEARD A LOUD POP FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CAR LOST POWER, BRAKES. SHE STARTED TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN OTHER COMMUTERS STARTED TO YELL AT HERE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE, AT THAT TIME THE CABIN STARTED TO FILL UP WITH SMOKE. SHE TRIED TO LOWER THE WINDOW BUT THAT HAD LOST POWER ALSO. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR INTO THE SNOW AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO STOP IT AND THEN EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE 325XI STARTED TO BURN AND SHORTLY WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THANK GOD SHE GOT OUT OK BUT WA… Look up ODI 10566801 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	43.6% ODI 10511655 · 80,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. UPON RESTARTING IT, THE VEHICLE RESPONDED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE ABS, DSC AND AWD WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. Look up ODI 10511655 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11142940 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER (A&L BMW, 3780 WILLIAM PENN HWY, MONROEVILLE, PA 15146) CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAIL… Look up ODI 11142940 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Exterior Lighting	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	535.7% ODI 10439754 · 80,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TAIL LIGHT BULB, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE TAIL LIGHT WIRES BEING CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. Look up ODI 10439754 at NHTSA ↗	811.8% ODI 10227750 · 68,000 mi THIS IS FOR A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD OR POSSIBLE REAR END ACCIDENT DUE TO A KNOWN FAILURE IN THE TERMINAL BLOCK ON THE TAIL LIGHTS. *TR Look up ODI 10227750 at NHTSA ↗	412.9% ODI 10430806 · 124,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. Look up ODI 10430806 at NHTSA ↗	712.7% ODI 10281871 · 52,000 mi THIS IS A FORMAL PETITION FOR A SAFETY DEFECT INVESTIGATION. MY 2004 BMW 325XI HAS A LEFT TAIL LIGHT THAT DOES NOT WORK BECAUSE OF A POOR CONNECTION AT THE REAR LAMP CONNECTOR (THE GROUND WIRE RECEPTACLE AND HOUSING HAVE BURNT OUT BECAUSE THE GROUND IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH FOR THE CURRENT). MY RIGHT TAIL LIGHT STILL FUNCTIONS BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS SIDE BURNING OUT AS WELL AND POSING A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. BMW HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN (SI B 63 03 06) WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE AND SAYS THAT THE CAUSE IS "MINOR CORROSION AT THE 8-PIN… Look up ODI 10281871 at NHTSA ↗	13.7% ODI 10487858 · 85,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT WIRES BECAME LOOSE, CAUSING THEM TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE OPEN/CLOSE CONTROLS FOR THE REAR PASSENGER'S WINDOW WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 2/4/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED SIMILAR… Look up ODI 10487858 at NHTSA ↗	10.9% ODI 11083740 LEFT BLINKER REPEATEDLY KEEPS NOT WORKING, HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED NUMEROUS TIMES AND IT KEEPS NOT WORKING? Look up ODI 11083740 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Steering	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	710.3% ODI 10492972 · 92,715 mi RIGHT/FRONT CV BOOT (AXLE BOOT) IS TORN AND LEAKING. DEALERSHIP REPLACED IT. *TR Look up ODI 10492972 at NHTSA ↗	13.2% ODI 10819708 · 98 mi DRIVING THE CAR THE FRONT DRIVER WHEEL AXIAL SYSTEM FELL OFF WHERE THE BALL BEARING HELD THE WHEEL ON 3/4" BALL BEARINGS FELL OFF THE CAR, AND THE OTHER SIDE WAS READY TO FALL APART AS WELL I WAS DRIVING AND AS I TURNED INTO THE AUTO SHOP DRIVEWAY THE WHEEL FELL APART GOOD THING MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER WAS NOT DRIVING IT ON THE HIGHWAY OR EXPRESSWAY. Look up ODI 10819708 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1412.7% ODI 10322165 · 45,620 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER OFFERED $200.00 TOWARDS THE TOTAL REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 45,620. Look up ODI 10322165 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Seat Belts	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	17.1% ODI 10746074 · 36,875 mi TOOK THE CAR TO BMW SERVICE CENTER AT FIELD'S BMW, NORTHFIELD, IL 60093 3 AUGUST 2015 AS SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM LIGHT ALERT STAYS ON AND WAS ADVISED THERE IS A DANGER BUT IT IS NOT COVERED BY ANY RECALL. STATED THE AIRBAG FOR PASSENGER MAY NOT DEPLOY. BMW AND FIELD'S WILL NOT PAY FOR REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR STATING IS NOT PART OF RECENT RECALL. Look up ODI 10746074 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	23.6% ODI 10463997 · 90,000 mi THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT EXTEND FROM THE HOUSING. IT STOPS REPEATEDLY AND ONLY AFTER SEVERAL TRIES WILL IT EXTEND LONG ENOUGH TO BE LATCHED. THE SITUATION MAY CAUSE A DRIVER TO NOT USE SEAT BELTS AS THIS CAN TAKE A LONG TIME TO FINALLY EXTEND. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY SUGGEST IT MIGHT BE A MECHANICAL PROBLEM WHICH THEY ARE WILLING TO DIAGNOSE FOR $150 AND THEN FIX FOR AN UNKNOWN AMOUNT. IT WOULD THIS IS A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM IN OTHER BMWS BUT NOT THIS MODEL. FO… Look up ODI 10463997 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1110.0% ODI 10448324 · 75,500 mi AIR BAG SIGN KEEPS GOING ON/OFF. THERE WAS A RECALL 08V-384 BUT BMW IS SAYING MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF THE BUILD WINDOW. I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08001). *TR Look up ODI 10448324 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Suspension	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	17.1% ODI 10979911 · 134,000 mi SECOND REAR COIL FAILURE. FIRST WAS 4/2007 AT 39800 MI (REF ODI 10189296). EXACTLY SAME LOCATION IN COIL AS LAST TIME. CORRODED CRACKED SURFACE (>95%) INDICATES PART FAILED LONG BEFORE THE COIL END BROKE OFF AND FLEW OUT OF CAR. FINAL FAILURE WAS UNDER BRAKING. PART WAS FORCEBLY EJECTED AND COULD HAVE INJURED A BYSTANDER OR ONCOMING VEHICLE. Look up ODI 10979911 at NHTSA ↗	913.2% ODI 10283399 · 75,000 mi NEVER CONTACTED BY BMW ABOUT BMW 325XI RECALL #02V088000. ALSO, BOTH FRONT AXLES HAVE GONE OUT AT 77,000 MILES. *TR Look up ODI 10283399 at NHTSA ↗	26.5% ODI 10588545 BILSTEIN IS A MAKER OF AFTERMARKET SHOCKS. THE REAR BILSTEIN SHOCKS FOR THE BMW 3-SERIES FROM 1999-2006 ARE PRONE TO PREMATURE FAILURE. BILSTEIN HAS UPDATED THE PART TWICE IN AN EFFORT TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT THE SHOCKS CONTINUALLY FAIL. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PREMATURE FAILURES OF THESE SHOCKS IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. REAR SHOCK FAILURE CREATES DANGEROUS HANDLING PROBLEMS, LOSS OF BRAKING PERFORMANCE, AND DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. STOP BILSTEIN FROM SELLING ANY MORE OF THESE DANGEROUS SHOCKS! I HAVE HAD NINE REAR SHOCKS FAIL, AND BILSTEI… Look up ODI 10588545 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	13.7% ODI 10426754 · 39,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR COILS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE HAND BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE TO INDICATE IF THE HAND BRAKE WAS ON OR NOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. Look up ODI 10426754 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Unknown Or Other	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	34.4% ODI 10822046 PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG MATT SENSOR FOR PASSENGER WEIGHT AND AIRBAG INFLATION RATE IS INOPERATIVE AND BROKEN. Look up ODI 10822046 at NHTSA ↗	13.2% ODI 11074079 · 125,000 mi DRIVERS DOOR LOCK DOES NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY, OR WITH REMOTE. OTHER THREE DOORS DO. Look up ODI 11074079 at NHTSA ↗	35.5% ODI 10881628 VEHICLE DEFECTS REPORTED OR RECALLED, BMW, OEM, OR OTHER, YET WITH KNOWN DEFECTS WAS REQUESTED TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT IS 'IMMINENT DANGER' THAT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH: AIRBAGS. BMW REPLACED DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG IN 9/ 2014 THEN PASSENGER SIDE. YET IN 2015 ACCIDENT, THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DETONATE, AND INJURY TO PERSONS/PROPERTY OCCURRED. BMW RECALLED DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG (2ND REPAIR/3RD AIRBAG) IN 2015 AND PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. BMW HAS THE 'DEFECTIVE VEHICLE' (I.E. OTHER ISSUES ENGINE, SEAT BELTS, ETC. REMAIN) AND PROVIDED A … Look up ODI 10881628 at NHTSA ↗	311.1% ODI 11255373 · 53,328 mi WHILE DRIVING ON BUSY STREETS, UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE AT RED LIGHTS...THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK. FORTUNATELY NO BODILY INJURIES, ONLY SMASHED UP CARS...I WILL NOT DRIVE THAT CAR AGAIN AND I DON'T EVEN FEEL GOOD ABOUT SELLING IT TO SOMEONE ELSE . Look up ODI 11255373 at NHTSA ↗	32.7% ODI 10379181 · 44,000 mi FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT AND AIRBAG LIGHT STAY ON EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN CAR. BMW DIAGNOSED A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 2008 RECALL, BUT MY MODEL IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I SPOKE WITH THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF BMW WHO SAYS THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE SINCE MY CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. THEY SAID IT IS A DIFFERENT PART THAT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAT NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I FEEL THAT SINCE MY CAR HAS THE SAME SAFETY PROBLEM, EVEN IF IT IS A DIFFERENT P… Look up ODI 10379181 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Air Bags	Too few reports for a range	114,500 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10578118 · 114,000 mi MY WIFE PARKED THE CAR IN THE DOCTORS OFFICE PARKING LOT. IT WAS 58 DEGREES AND RAINING. SHE LEFT OUR FAMILY PET IN THE CAR. WHEN SHE CAME OUT OF THE DOCTORS OFFICE SHE SAW THAT THE CAR WAS FULL OF SMOKE. THE KEY FOB WOULD NOT OPEN THE LOCKS. THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. THE GLASS IN THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT BREAK UNDER HER STRENGTH EVEN WITH A GLASS HAMMER THAT SOMEONE MANAGED TO RETRIEVE FOR HER. SHE FINALLY REMEMBERED THE KEY AND WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. OUR DOG WAS LIFELESS, FIRE AND RESCUE TRIED TO REVIVE HER TO NO AVAIL. T… Look up ODI 10578118 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10659071 · 175,000 mi I AM WRITING YOU TO TELL YOU THAT I HAVE A VEHICLE AFFECTED BY THE AIR BAG RECALL - TWICE I HAVE SCHEDULED FOR REPLACEMENT, TWICE THE DEALERSHIP HAS CALLED ME ON THE MORNING OF THE APPOINTMENT TO SAY THE PARTS ARE NOT IN STOCK. THEY ARE NOT APOLOGETIC, NOR CONCERNED FOR THE URGENCY OF THIS SITUATION. I TRAVEL A VERY DIFFICULT ROUTE INTO THE CITY - DURING RUSH HOUR - AND HAVE ASKED THEM TO AT LEAST DISCONNECT THE BAG FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE. THEY REFUSE TO DO SO. THIS EVENING THE NEWS REPORTED THAT EVEN DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS ARE BEING RECALLED.… Look up ODI 10659071 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10745820 · 74,000 mi IT TOOK OVER A YEAR TO GET PARTS FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG, JUST GOT THE CAR BACK AND RECEIVED NOTICE OF A RECALL OF THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG AND NO DATE FOR REPAIR, I CAN NOT SELL THE CAR OR TRADE IT IN BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT. BMW REFUSES TO PROVIDE COMPENSATION. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUN AROUND BY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING A LOANER CAR OR A REPLACEMENT. I WANT BMW TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SO I CAN OBTAIN A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE. Look up ODI 10745820 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	Too few reports for a range	53,328 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 11255373 · 53,328 mi WHILE DRIVING ON BUSY STREETS, UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE AT RED LIGHTS...THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK. FORTUNATELY NO BODILY INJURIES, ONLY SMASHED UP CARS...I WILL NOT DRIVE THAT CAR AGAIN AND I DON'T EVEN FEEL GOOD ABOUT SELLING IT TO SOMEONE ELSE . Look up ODI 11255373 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	115,500 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10578118 · 114,000 mi MY WIFE PARKED THE CAR IN THE DOCTORS OFFICE PARKING LOT. IT WAS 58 DEGREES AND RAINING. SHE LEFT OUR FAMILY PET IN THE CAR. WHEN SHE CAME OUT OF THE DOCTORS OFFICE SHE SAW THAT THE CAR WAS FULL OF SMOKE. THE KEY FOB WOULD NOT OPEN THE LOCKS. THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. THE GLASS IN THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT BREAK UNDER HER STRENGTH EVEN WITH A GLASS HAMMER THAT SOMEONE MANAGED TO RETRIEVE FOR HER. SHE FINALLY REMEMBERED THE KEY AND WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. OUR DOG WAS LIFELESS, FIRE AND RESCUE TRIED TO REVIVE HER TO NO AVAIL. T… Look up ODI 10578118 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10946734 · 117,000 mi SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ABS LIGHT ON FUEL SENSOR THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING IT MULTIPLE CODES R SHOWING UP WHEN VEHICLE HAD A COMPUTER SCAN VEHICLE WAS PERFORMED. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A STREET STALLED BRAKES FAILED TO STOP STRIKING A CAR IN FRONT ON I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A USED AR DEALER IN JUNE2016 WHO ASSURED ME HIS WAS A SAFE CAR TO DRIVE AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR 2 MONTHS THE PROBLEMS STARTED FRONT STRUTS WERE BROKE BRAKES WERE GONE BACK SHOCKS R BROKE N CHECK ENGINES ON ABS LIGHT IS ON. *TR Look up ODI 10946734 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control	Too few reports for a range	48,089 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10349450 · 42,849 mi I HAD A WELL DOCUMENTED EPISODE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION (FOOT ON BRAKE, CAR REVVED SUDDENLY, THEN I FLIPPED IT INTO NEUTRAL). THIS OCCURRED ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. NO ONE WAS INJURED. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. I HAVE A COPY OF THE RECORDS. I THOUGHT THAT THIS MIGHT BE USEFUL IN OTHER INVESTIGATIONS OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *TR Look up ODI 10349450 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11255373 · 53,328 mi WHILE DRIVING ON BUSY STREETS, UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE AT RED LIGHTS...THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK. FORTUNATELY NO BODILY INJURIES, ONLY SMASHED UP CARS...I WILL NOT DRIVE THAT CAR AGAIN AND I DON'T EVEN FEEL GOOD ABOUT SELLING IT TO SOMEONE ELSE . Look up ODI 11255373 at NHTSA ↗
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	Too few reports for a range	117,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10946734 · 117,000 mi SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ABS LIGHT ON FUEL SENSOR THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING IT MULTIPLE CODES R SHOWING UP WHEN VEHICLE HAD A COMPUTER SCAN VEHICLE WAS PERFORMED. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A STREET STALLED BRAKES FAILED TO STOP STRIKING A CAR IN FRONT ON I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A USED AR DEALER IN JUNE2016 WHO ASSURED ME HIS WAS A SAFE CAR TO DRIVE AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR 2 MONTHS THE PROBLEMS STARTED FRONT STRUTS WERE BROKE BRAKES WERE GONE BACK SHOCKS R BROKE N CHECK ENGINES ON ABS LIGHT IS ON. *TR Look up ODI 10946734 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting	Too few reports for a range	85,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10487858 · 85,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT WIRES BECAME LOOSE, CAUSING THEM TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE OPEN/CLOSE CONTROLS FOR THE REAR PASSENGER'S WINDOW WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 2/4/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED SIMILAR… Look up ODI 10487858 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights	Too few reports for a range	39,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10426754 · 39,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR COILS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE HAND BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE TO INDICATE IF THE HAND BRAKE WAS ON OR NOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. Look up ODI 10426754 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline	Too few reports for a range	28,868 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10159147 · 28,868 mi EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STARTING MY 2005 BMW 325 XI ON TWO CONSECUTIVE MORNINGS, ON THE THIRD THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ON THE PRECEDING DAYS AFTER IT DID START THE CAR RAN NORMALLY THE REST OF THE DAY AND WOULD START WITHOUT HESITATION WITHIN THE SAME DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER NOT STARTING ON THE THIRD DAY. THE DEALERSHIP SAID I HAD "CONTAMINATED FUEL" AND THAT THE FOLLOWING PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED: FUEL TANK, FUEL PUMP, & FUEL FILTER. THEIR INITIAL REASON FOR THE FAILURE WAS THAT I PURCHASED CONTAMINATED FU… Look up ODI 10159147 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Complaints	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	1	None	ODI 11664609 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. Look up ODI 11664609 at NHTSA ↗
2025-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	0	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	0	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2011: 0 complaints · 2012: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2011	0	0	0
2012	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2011	0	0	0
2012	0	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Air Bags	Unknown Or Other	Electrical System	Vehicle Speed Control	Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	Exterior Lighting	Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights	Fuel System, Gasoline
Air Bags	—	1 ODI 11287940 I WAS DRIVING AND MY SIDE AIR BAG AND DOOR AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED WITH NO CAUSE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. I PULLED OVER. NOTHING AT THAT TIME WAS SMOKING OR WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I DROVE THE VEHICLE FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES TO GET CLOSER TO MY BOYFRIEND'S HOUSE. I STOPPED IN A LOT TO CALL HIM. PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND THE FRONT END ON THE RIGHT SIDE STARTED TO SMOKE. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT END SLOWLY BURSTED INTO FLAMES. Look up ODI 11287940 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10578118 · 114,000 mi MY WIFE PARKED THE CAR IN THE DOCTORS OFFICE PARKING LOT. IT WAS 58 DEGREES AND RAINING. SHE LEFT OUR FAMILY PET IN THE CAR. WHEN SHE CAME OUT OF THE DOCTORS OFFICE SHE SAW THAT THE CAR WAS FULL OF SMOKE. THE KEY FOB WOULD NOT OPEN THE LOCKS. THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. THE GLASS IN THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT BREAK UNDER HER STRENGTH EVEN WITH A GLASS HAMMER THAT SOMEONE MANAGED TO RETRIEVE FOR HER. SHE FINALLY REMEMBERED THE KEY AND WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. OUR DOG WAS LIFELESS, FIRE AND RESCUE TRIED TO REVIVE HER TO NO AVAIL. T… Look up ODI 10578118 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0
Unknown Or Other	1 ODI 11287940 I WAS DRIVING AND MY SIDE AIR BAG AND DOOR AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED WITH NO CAUSE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. I PULLED OVER. NOTHING AT THAT TIME WAS SMOKING OR WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I DROVE THE VEHICLE FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES TO GET CLOSER TO MY BOYFRIEND'S HOUSE. I STOPPED IN A LOT TO CALL HIM. PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND THE FRONT END ON THE RIGHT SIDE STARTED TO SMOKE. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT END SLOWLY BURSTED INTO FLAMES. Look up ODI 11287940 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	1 ODI 11255373 · 53,328 mi WHILE DRIVING ON BUSY STREETS, UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE AT RED LIGHTS...THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK. FORTUNATELY NO BODILY INJURIES, ONLY SMASHED UP CARS...I WILL NOT DRIVE THAT CAR AGAIN AND I DON'T EVEN FEEL GOOD ABOUT SELLING IT TO SOMEONE ELSE . Look up ODI 11255373 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0
Electrical System	1 ODI 10578118 · 114,000 mi MY WIFE PARKED THE CAR IN THE DOCTORS OFFICE PARKING LOT. IT WAS 58 DEGREES AND RAINING. SHE LEFT OUR FAMILY PET IN THE CAR. WHEN SHE CAME OUT OF THE DOCTORS OFFICE SHE SAW THAT THE CAR WAS FULL OF SMOKE. THE KEY FOB WOULD NOT OPEN THE LOCKS. THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN. THE GLASS IN THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT BREAK UNDER HER STRENGTH EVEN WITH A GLASS HAMMER THAT SOMEONE MANAGED TO RETRIEVE FOR HER. SHE FINALLY REMEMBERED THE KEY AND WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. OUR DOG WAS LIFELESS, FIRE AND RESCUE TRIED TO REVIVE HER TO NO AVAIL. T… Look up ODI 10578118 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	1 ODI 10946734 · 117,000 mi SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ABS LIGHT ON FUEL SENSOR THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING IT MULTIPLE CODES R SHOWING UP WHEN VEHICLE HAD A COMPUTER SCAN VEHICLE WAS PERFORMED. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A STREET STALLED BRAKES FAILED TO STOP STRIKING A CAR IN FRONT ON I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A USED AR DEALER IN JUNE2016 WHO ASSURED ME HIS WAS A SAFE CAR TO DRIVE AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR 2 MONTHS THE PROBLEMS STARTED FRONT STRUTS WERE BROKE BRAKES WERE GONE BACK SHOCKS R BROKE N CHECK ENGINES ON ABS LIGHT IS ON. *TR Look up ODI 10946734 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Vehicle Speed Control	0	1 ODI 11255373 · 53,328 mi WHILE DRIVING ON BUSY STREETS, UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE AT RED LIGHTS...THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK. FORTUNATELY NO BODILY INJURIES, ONLY SMASHED UP CARS...I WILL NOT DRIVE THAT CAR AGAIN AND I DON'T EVEN FEEL GOOD ABOUT SELLING IT TO SOMEONE ELSE . Look up ODI 11255373 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	0	0
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	0	0	1 ODI 10946734 · 117,000 mi SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ABS LIGHT ON FUEL SENSOR THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING IT MULTIPLE CODES R SHOWING UP WHEN VEHICLE HAD A COMPUTER SCAN VEHICLE WAS PERFORMED. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A STREET STALLED BRAKES FAILED TO STOP STRIKING A CAR IN FRONT ON I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A USED AR DEALER IN JUNE2016 WHO ASSURED ME HIS WAS A SAFE CAR TO DRIVE AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR 2 MONTHS THE PROBLEMS STARTED FRONT STRUTS WERE BROKE BRAKES WERE GONE BACK SHOCKS R BROKE N CHECK ENGINES ON ABS LIGHT IS ON. *TR Look up ODI 10946734 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	0
Exterior Lighting	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Fuel System, Gasoline	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

3 patterns with matching reports.

Battery drain and no-start mentions

1 mentions · 3.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 28,868 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10159147 · 28,868 mi

Look up ODI 10159147 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 3.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 117,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10946734 · 117,000 mi

Look up ODI 10946734 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 3.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 117,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10946734 · 117,000 mi

Look up ODI 10946734 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b