2005 BMW 325i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 BMW 325i has a complaint index of 86 and ranks 2nd worst out of 8 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. It has 71 NHTSA complaints, 3 do-not-drive airbag recalls, and airbags account for 46% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 86/100
- #2 of 8 325i years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 71
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- 3 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Airbags
- Best nearby year
- —
- no alternative with data
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2005 BMW 325i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags33 (46%)
- Electrical System25 (35%)
- Engine4 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (6%)
- Brakes3 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (3%)
- Fuel System1 (1%)
- Structure & Body1 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Passenger front airbags are subject to a do-not-drive recall affecting owners who have not yet gotten a replacement.
- Rear tail light wiring can overheat, burning out bulbs and, in one case, scorching a hole around the bulb housing and starting a fire.
- Some owners report sudden unintended acceleration while parking at low speed, resulting in collisions.
- Dashboard warning lights and gauges have flashed on and beeped suddenly during highway driving, with the clock and trip odometer losing memory afterward.
- Rear tires have blown out on the sidewall or tread at highway speed, in one case happening three times on the same set of tires.
- A vehicle stalled during dealer maintenance and would not restart, with diagnostic codes pointing to transmission and battery failure.
2005 BMW 325i recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V018000Jan 15, 2020Airbags292,948 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 14V428000Jun 11, 2018Airbags574,007 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
- NHTSA 15V318000May 28, 2015Airbags419,235 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.
2005 BMW 325i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other 325i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 BMW 325i reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2005 325i ranks 2nd worst of 8 model years for this model, with a complaint index of 86 and an Avoid verdict.
- What problems does the 2005 BMW 325i have?
- NHTSA data shows airbags account for 46% of complaints and electrical system issues account for 35%, including tail light wiring that can overheat and burn out.
- Does the 2005 BMW 325i have a recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for this year, including 3 do-not-drive airbag campaigns and one electrical recall for rear lamp wiring.
- What mileage do 2005 BMW 325i problems typically occur at?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 80,000 miles overall, with airbag-related complaints reported at a median of 99,500 miles.
- How does the 2005 BMW 325i compare to the 2006 model?
- The 2006 325i has a higher complaint index of 100 and is also rated Avoid, while the 2005 model has an index of 86 but ranks 2nd worst of 8 years.