2004 BMW 325I

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, areas with high absolute humidity and climatic conditions believed to be a significant factor in the inflator ruptures.As part of the recall actions, inflators removed from remedied vehicles are to be returned to Takata for testing.Takata's initial test results on passenger inflators from remedied vehicles indicated a much higher than anticipated rupture frequency for inflators returned from Florida.Accordingly ODI requested all 10 manufacturers expand the regional recalls for passenger inflators to include other geographic areas where high absolute humidity conditions exist, including the Gulf States and other coastal areas.Takata's testing of the passenger inflators to date continues to indicate this geographic area as having the highest risk, with no ruptures occurring from inflators returned from outside the expanded recall regions.During PE14-016 four additional passenger inflator field events occurred, all in vehicles from the same expanded geographic region.Also during PE14-016 four additional driver inflator field events occurred including two in vehicles from regions not known for high absolute humidity, specifically California and North Carolina.Accordingly, ODI requested all five of the affected vehicle manufacturers currently using the subject Takata driver inflators expand to nationwide recalls.Significantly, neither of the affected vehicle manufacturers or Takata provided any explanation to account for these two driver air bag inflator ruptures outside the area of high absolute humidity.Takata testing of returned driver inflators indicates a lower rupture frequency as compared to passenger inflator testing.All test ruptures reported by Takata to date have occurred on inflators returned from high absolute humidity areas.The investigation now includes all manufacturers and vehicles known to be affected at this time.ODI's investigation will focus on, among other things, root cause analysis, other potential defect consequences, identification of affected vehicles scope, and adequacy of the remedy.The five ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10537899, 10568848, 10585224, 10605877, 10651492

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, areas with consistently high absolute humidity and climatic conditions believed to be a significant factor in the inflator ruptures.As part of the recall actions, inflators removed from remedied vehicles are to be returned to Takata for testing.Takata's initial test results on passenger inflators from remedied vehicles indicated a much higher than anticipated rupture frequency for inflators returned from Florida.Accordingly, ODI requested all 10 manufacturers expand the regional recalls for passenger inflators to include other geographic areas where high absolute humidity conditions exist, including the Gulf States and other coastal areas.Takata's testing of the passenger inflators to date continues to indicate this geographic area as having the highest risk, with no ruptures occurring from inflators returned from outside the expanded recall regions.During PE14-016, four additional passenger inflator field events occurred, all in vehicles from the same expanded geographic region.Also during PE14-016, four additional driver inflator field events occurred including two in vehicles from regions not known for high absolute humidity, specifically California and North Carolina.Accordingly, ODI requested all five of the affected vehicle manufacturers currently using the subject Takata driver inflators expand to nationwide recalls.Significantly, neither of the affected vehicle manufacturers or Takata provided any explanation to account for these two driver air bag inflator ruptures outside the area of high absolute humidity.Takata testing of returned driver inflators indicates a lower rupture frequency as compared to passenger inflator testing.All test ruptures reported by Takata to date have occurred on inflators returned from high absolute humidity areas.The PE is now closed/upgraded to an Engineering Evaluation (EA15-001) to include all manufacturersand vehicles known to be affected at this time.ODI's EA investigation will focus on, among other things, root cause analysis, other potential defect consequences, identification of affected vehicles scope, and adequacy of the remedy.The recalls related to this PE are: 14V343, 14V344, 14V348, 14V351, 14V353, 14V655, 14V700, 14V701, 14V752, 14V763, 14V770, 14V773, 14V787, 14V802 and 14V817.The number of vehicles affected are an estimate since some vehicles may have both the driver and passenger side inflators recalled. The five ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10537899, 10568848, 10585224, 10605877, 10651492

In a letter submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) dated August25, 2011, BMWindicated that it will conduct a voluntary recall campaign to remedy the subject vehicles.The issue involves the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel.Through normal vehicle use over time, the rear lamps ground wiring and associated 8-pin connector can experience an increase of the resistance at the electrical contact points.This can lead to intermittent or permanent loss of the rear lamp functions which include tail, brake, and turn signal operation.The recall consists of modifying the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel by adding a secondary ground connection in parallel to the existing primary ground connection.An 8-pin connector that attaches the primary ground wiring to the rear lamp assembly will also be inspected and replaced if necessary.BMW will complete dealer notification in September 2011 and will begin owner notification in October 2011.All 3 series sedans (except for the M3 sedan which utilized a different rear lamp assembly) that were built between September 1, 2001 and March 1, 2005 are included in this recall, totalling approximately 241,000 vehicles.The action taken by BMW is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

ODI HAS RECEIVED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEIR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY IS NOT PROPERLY ILLUMINATING.THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY CONSISTS OF A TURN SIGNAL LAMP, A TAIL LAMP AND A BRAKE LAMP.THE COMPLAINANTS HAVE INDICATED THAT THE ISSUE IS WITH AN 8 PIN CONNECTOR AND ASSOCIATED GROUND WIRING.THESE COMPONENTS ARE ALLEGEDLY OVERHEATING AND MELTING DUE TO EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL CURRENT THAT RUNS THROUGH THE SYSTEM.BMW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) SIB-630306 ON FEBRUARY 2007 TO ADDRESS THE CONDITION BY ADDING SUPPLEMENTARY GROUND WIRING TO THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY.ODI IS UPGRADING TO AN EA TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE.

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

NHTSA ID

11661364

Incident

May 16, 2025

The contact owned a 2004 BMW 325i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V018000 (Air Bags) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list as she no longer own the vehicle. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

NHTSA ID

11469025

Incident

Jun 13, 2022

2004 BMW 325i. Inquiry on behalf of the constituent, in regards to getting assistance with his BMW. THE CONSUMER STATED THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM FAILED. MULTIPLE REPAIR ATTEMPTS WERE MADE. THE DMTL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID

11418569

Incident

May 26, 2021

THE REFLECTOR BOWL ON THE HEADLIGHTS BURNS, CREATING A SEVERELY DECREASED OUTPUT. THIS IS AN ISSUE KNOWN BY MANY PEOPLE IN THE BMW COMMUNITY. HTTPS://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/THREADS/E46-ZKW-REFLECTOR-RECALL-OPEN-NHTSA-INVESTIGATION.552978/

NHTSA ID

11406257

Incident

Apr 8, 2020

THIS CAR WAS SOLD TO US UNDER FALSE STATEMENTS,WIPER DISPENSER DOES NOT WORK ,KEY FOB DOES NOT WORK,NO TITLE ,THE CAR HESITATES AND VIBRATES,OIL LEAK,ODOMETER ON CARFAX SAYS 86000 ACTUALLY 111,402.WE WRWE TOLD IT WAS EXCELLENT CONDITION .THE CAR IS NOT. BOUGHT IT 3/10 21 7:00PM , CALLED 3/11 8;00 AM ASK FOR REFUND.THOUGHT WE HAD A 3 DAY GRACE PERIOD. THE DEALER LAUGHED NO. WE ARE SENIORS CITIZEN I GUESS HE THOUGHT HE HAD US. CREST AUTO WHOLESALERS OF S W FLORIDA. CRAIG WALLACE. WELL DRIVING IT STARTED TO VIBRATE. AND HUM? COULD NOT DECLINE GOOD. COULD NOT CLEAN WIND SHIELD.IT VIBRATES WHEN STATIONARY.DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL I STARTED DRIVING IT. THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE CAR COLD? BAD OIL LEAK. AND TIRES NEED BALANCED THOUGHT THAT WAS IT BUT NO.WHAT CAN WE DO OUT $4,500. FOR A CAR THAT'S NOT EXCELLENT IT SAYS ON CAR FAX.THIS HAPPENS ON STREET AND EXPRESS. HELP NOT A SAFE CAR.

NHTSA ID

11400402

Incident

Mar 10, 2021

Mileage

40 mi

THE GROUND WIRE ON MY BREAK LIGHT HAS BURNED THROUGH THE 8 PIN CONNECTOR NOT ONLY IS THIS LIMITING MY ABILITY TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS IT IS A MAJOR FIRE HAZARD THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING A RECALL SERVICE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP I DO NOT BELIEVE. THE PROPER STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM AND IF THIS CAN NOT BE RESOLVED INFORMALLY I WOULD LIKE TO PURSUE FORMAL LITIGATION AGAINST ALL PARTIES INVOLVED AND FOR DISCOVERY PURPOSE ALL RELATED CORRESPONDENCE, VIDEO, AND RECORDED EVIDENCE SHOULD BE PRESERVED. CURRENTLY THE BREAK LIGHT IS NOT WORKING AND THERE ARE DEFECTIVE AND HAZARDOUS AIRBAGS.

NHTSA ID

11377873

Incident

Nov 28, 2020

Mileage

213,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING BY MYSELF ON THE FREEWAY AND A RUBBLE THE SIZE OF A BASKETBALL WAS ROLLING TOWARDS MY PATH. I DO NOT KNOW IF IT FELL FROM A CONSTRUCTION VEHICLE OR IT ALREADY HIT ANOTHER CAR AND THAT THE RUBBLE JUST RICOCHET TOWARDS ME. ANYWAY I WAS GOING 65 MILES PER HOUR AND WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE AND THERE WERE CARS ON BOTH SIDES AND A CAR NOT TOO FAR OFF BEHIND. I NEVER HAD THE CHANCE TO AVOID THE RUBBLE SO I JUST BRACED MYSELF AND HOPE THAT THE RUBBLE WOULD GET PAST ME. UNFORTUNATELY, IT HIT MY LEFT SIDE AND ELEVATED MY CAR AROUND 2 TO 3 FEET FROM THE GROUND AND FLATTENED MY TWO LEFT TIRES. THE AIRBAG ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED, THE ONE ON THE DOOR AND THE ONE ON THE UPPER ROOF PANEL. NONE OF THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I JUST HAD A LITTLE WHIPLASH FROM THE IMPACT BUT I WAS FINE. I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE AND UPON INSPECTION THEY CONSIDERED MY VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO THE DAMAGES. I ALSO CONTACTED BMW AND HAVE YET TO NOTIFY ME OF WHY THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY ON WHERE THE IMPACT OCCURRED. THEY DID A RECALL SERVICE ON MY VEHICLE AROUND MARCH 2020 FOR THE AIRBAG. AFTER THE SERVICE THERE WERE NO AIRBAG LIGHTS OR ANY WARNINGS ON THE DASHBOARD. IN THE EVENT OF THE ACCIDENT, MY VEHICLE WENT TO AN SOS MODE WHICH SLOWED DOWN THE VEHICLE AND AUTOMATICALLY TURNED ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY AND HAD IT TOWED. HOPEFULLY THE CAR MANUFACTURER COULD SEND NOTICE TO OWNERS OF THIS CAR MODEL THAT COULD HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH AIRBAGS ON THE SIDE OF IMPACT NOT DEPLOYING.

NHTSA ID

11351363

Incident

Aug 14, 2020

Mileage

114,000 mi

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V018000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED TWO BMW DEALERS, INCLUDING THE BMW OF MONTEREY DEALER, LOCATED AT (1 GEARY PLZ, SEASIDE, CA 93955) AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11317318

Incident

Jan 15, 2020

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.

Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.

SERVICE ACTION - HEAD AIR BAG HOLDER RETROFIT: A rattle noise may develop from the head air bag (ITS) gas generator contacting adjacent component. This noise can be heard while driving on an uneven roadway.

Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle "discharged battery" complaints. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root cause of the discharged battery cannot be identified. This increases the chances of a repeat repair.

E46 SULEV/PZEV: FUEL TANK DISPOSAL PROCEDURE: E46 M56 vehicles, in addition to meeting the SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emission) tailpipe emission standard, also conform to the Zero Evaporative Emissions (PZEV) regulations. In order to meet these strict standards, the SULEV's fuel tank is a completely sealed unit manufactured from a high-grade stainless steel.