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Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2004 BMW 3 Series recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2004 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 5
Park-it warnings: 3
Complaints: 558
Latest campaign: Jan 15, 2020

Recall summary by component5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Park‑it	Latest	Campaign IDs
Air bags	3	3	Jan 15, 2020	20V018000 14V428000 15V318000
Exterior lighting	1	–	Aug 26, 2011	11V438000
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	–	Mar 29, 2007	07E023000

Safety recalls5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

3Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jan 15, 2020Latest campaign


Jan 15, 202020V018000	Air bags: frontal passenger side An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Do not drive until repaired DetailsHide details for campaign 20V018000 What's wrong 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. Filed under 320i, 323ci, 323i, 323it, 325ci, 325i, 325it, 325xi, 325xit, 328ci, 328i, 330ci, 330i, 330xi Campaign NHTSA 20V018000 · Jan 15, 2020
Jun 11, 201814V428000	Air bags 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… Do not drive until repaired DetailsHide details for campaign 14V428000 What's wrong 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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com. Filed under 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi Campaign NHTSA 14V428000 · Jun 11, 2018
May 28, 201515V318000	Air bags: frontal driver side 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… Do not drive until repaired DetailsHide details for campaign 15V318000 What's wrong 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. Filed under 325ci, 325i, 325xi, 330ci, 330i, 330xi Campaign NHTSA 15V318000 · May 28, 2015
Aug 26, 201111V438000	Exterior lighting: tail lights INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. DetailsHide details for campaign 11V438000 What's wrong BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 325I, 325XI, 330I, AND 330XI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2001, THROUGH MARCH 1, 2005. OVER TIME, RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY CAUSE ONE OR MORE REAR LAMP FUNCTIONS (TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND/OR TURN-SIGNAL), WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S BODY PANEL, TO STOP WORKING. Risk INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Remedy BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417. Filed under 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi Campaign NHTSA 11V438000 · Aug 26, 2011
Mar 29, 200707E023000	Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components master cylinder LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. DetailsHide details for campaign 07E023000 What's wrong CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID. Risk LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Remedy CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780. Filed under 325ci, 325i, 330ci, 330i Campaign NHTSA 07E023000 · Mar 29, 2007

Merged from NHTSA model names: 320i, 323ci, 323i, 323it, 325ci, 325i, 325it, 325xi, 325xit, 328ci, 328i, 330ci, 330i, 330xi. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component558

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

558Complaints filed

26Involving a crash

23Involving a fire

29Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Air bags	210	38	18	1	23
Exterior lighting	196	35	2	9	0
Electrical system	63	11	0	9	1
Power train	29	5	0	0	0
Engine and engine cooling	19	3	0	0	0
Visibility/wiper	16	3	0	0	0
Visibility	16	3	2	0	1
Service brakes	13	2	5	1	3
Engine	12	2	3	3	3
Latches/locks/linkages	11	2	0	0	0
Structure	10	2	1	0	1
Unknown or other	10	2	4	3	3
Seats	9	2	0	2	2
Fuel system	8	1	1	1	1
Gasoline	7	1	1	1	1

14 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Air bags
“The contact owns a 2004 BMW 330. The contact stated while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the front center of the vehicle crashed into the front center of another vehicle and the air bags did not deploy.”
Filed 06/25/2026 · ODI 11746545
Vehicle speed control
“The contact owns a 2004 BMW 330CI. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting to the reverse position, the engine began to rev very high, and the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration…”
Filed 06/05/2025 · ODI 11664996
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”
Filed 05/16/2025 · ODI 11661364

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2004 BMW 3 Series recall questions

How many recalls does the 2004 BMW 3 Series have?

NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns for the 2004 BMW 3 Series. The most recent, 20V018000 (reported January 15, 2020), concerns air bags. 3 campaigns carry a park-it or park-outside warning. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2004 BMW 3 Series recalls for?

The largest group is air bags, with 3 campaigns. Others: exterior lighting (1), service brakes, hydraulic (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2004 BMW 3 Series?

Air bags is the most-reported component, named in 210 complaints out of 558 filed with NHTSA (38%). Across all complaints, owners reported 26 crashs and 23 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2004 BMW 3 Series?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised BMW dealer.

Check a specific BMW by VIN

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