2005 BMW 3 Series recalls and problems

The 2005 BMW 3 Series has 0 recalls and 25 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is air bags.

How the 2005 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Low complaint count among 14 3 Series model years — 11th most.

0recalls
25complaints
1crashes
1fires
3injuries
70,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
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0 recalls

No recall campaigns on file.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Air Bags16
Exterior Lighting4
Electrical System2
Unknown or other2
Visibility2
Service Brakes1
Structure1
Vehicle Speed Control1

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2010: 1 complaints20102013: 3 complaints20132014: 2 complaints20142015: 5 complaints20152016: 11 complaints2016112017: 2 complaints20172018: 1 complaints20181

NHTSA investigations

REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION

PE09036 · opened Aug 7, 2009 · closed Dec 22, 2009 · led to recall 11V438000
Summary

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.

2005 vs. other BMW 3 Series years

2000: 88 complaints20002001: 36 complaints2002: 26 complaints20022003: 73 complaints2004: 77 complaints20042005: 25 complaints2006: 202 complaints20062022007: 115 complaints2008: 68 complaints20082009: 53 complaints2010: 30 complaints20102011: 1 complaints2012: 7 complaints20122013: 21 complaints201321

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2005. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2005 BMW 3 Series have recalls?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2005 BMW 3 Series. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to be sure.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 BMW 3 Series?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention air bags (16), exterior lighting (4), electrical system (2). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.