2005 BMW M3

3 recalls, 12 complaints - 38 TSBs

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Defect Description

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 PS... Read more

Consequence

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.

292,948 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC

AIR BAGS

Defect Description

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; 2001-200... Read more

Consequence

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 b... Read more

574,007 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Defect Description

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, ... Read more

Consequence

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... Read more

419,235 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC

Complaint Statistics

12 total complaints

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
AIR BAGS	4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	2
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD	1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	1
VISIBILITY	1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	1
POWER TRAIN	1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1

Incident date: May 19, 2018

EVAPORATOR CORE DESIGN FLAW IS CONDUCIVE TO MOLD AND MILDEW BUILDUP. OVERTIME, THE BACTERIA CAN BUILD UP TO THE POINT WHERE IT WILL RELEASE INTO THE VENTILATION SYSTEM UPON USE CAUSING UNSAFE HEALTH ENVIRONMENTS FOR BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. STANDARD CLEANING PROCEDURES PROVIDED BY BMW ARE NOT SU... Read more

Incident date: Jul 15, 2014

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RE... Read more

Incident date: Aug 29, 2016

TAKATA RECALL I'VE BEEN ON THE WAITING LIST FOR ALMOST A YEAR AT BMW SAN FRANCISCO. WHAT IS A "REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME" TO WAIT FOR THIS REPAIR?

Incident date: Aug 10, 2013

SMG TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND RANDOMLY WENT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FOUR LANE AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. LIGHT WENT OFF AND IT SEEMED FINE L FOR A COUPLE WEEKS AND SAME HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE TAKING MY SON TO THE HOSPITAL. I CALLED BMW AND WAS INFORMED THA... Read more

Incident date: Jul 15, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURE... Read more

Incident date: Mar 10, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW M3. 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 MA... Read more

Incident date: Aug 26, 2011

MY VEHICLE HAS 87,000 MILES AND I WAS JUST INFORMED THAT THE VANOS HAD FAILED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED WITH THIS CAR, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME ALMOST $5,000 TO FIX. I'VE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER FOR THIS VEHICLE AND NEVER HAD ACCIDENTS ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 21, 2011

THERE ARE NO VISUAL SIGNS OF THIS FAILURE UNLESS THE VALVE COVER TO THE ENGINE IS REMOVED. UPON REMOVAL THERE IS A METAL FRAGMENT THAT IS RUNNING LOOSE UNDERNEATH THE VALVE COVER. WHEN THIS METAL PIECE FALLS OUT IT CAN ENTER THE TIMING CHAIN AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE TO HAVE CATA... Read more

Incident date: Jun 18, 2011

THE AUTO-DIMMING REAR VIEW MIRRORS IN 2001-2006 BMW 3 SERIES, AND OTHER MODELS ARE DEFECTIVE. THESE MIRRORS LEAK OUT THE TOXIC AUTO-DIMMING FLUID INTO THE CAR (DAMAGING THE INTERIOR, AND PUTTING THE DRIVER/PASSENGERS AT RISK FROM THE CHEMICALS). NOT TO MENTION ONCE THIS HAPPENS THE MIRROR IS BECOMES... Read more

Incident date: Jun 6, 2011

WHILE NORMAL DRIVING THROUGH TOWN/HIGHWAY THE CAR WILL SLIP INTO NEUTRAL AND CEASE TO ACCELERATE. WHICH CAUSES A HIGH RISK MANEUVER TO AVOID TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. *TR

Incident date: Jun 8, 2009

THE VANOS SYSTEM IN THE 2001-2006 BMW M3 IS A COMMON PART THAT IS PRONE TO FAILURE. THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST BOLTS OF THE CAM GEAR CAN SHEER OFF DUE TO IMPROPER TORQUING FROM THE FACTORY AND IMPROPER HARDNESS OF THE BOLTS. THE DRIVE SHAFT OF THE VANOS SYSTEM IS ALSO WEAK. IF THE VANOS SYSTEM FAIL... Read more

Incident date: Mar 8, 2005

2005 MINI COOPER S WAS PURCHASED NEW AT SOUTHBAY MINI, TORRENCE CA, ON 3/4/05. CAR IS GARAGED AT 547 OAK PARK RESIDENCE, NO CRACK ON THE NIGHT OF 3/7/05. NOTICED APPROX 8" CRACK ON THE MORNING OF 3/8/05. TAKEN TO DEALER ON 3/9/05, DEALER PERFORMS "BALL POINT PEN TEST" ON WINDSHIELD CRACK TO DETERMIN... Read more

EPA Fuel Economy, 2005 BMW M3

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
3.2L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive)	15.0	22.0	17.0	Premium	$4,550
3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6) (Rear-Wheel Drive)	15.0	21.0	17.0	Premium	$4,550

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Subcompact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 2005 BMW M3

38 manufacturer communications from 20 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
140000 AIR BAGS	7
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	4
350000 EQUIPMENT	3
030000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC	3
063100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL	2
063140 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR	2
356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY	2
030000 BRAKES (PWS)	2

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 ho

030000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. CAUSE Material-

353000 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column.

045000 SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC

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 degree

011000 STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

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.

350000 EQUIPMENT

141000 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

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 doc

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

350000 EQUIPMENT

140000 AIR BAGS

TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.

140000 AIR BAGS

TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.

140100 AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

TAKATA CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULES.

140000 AIR BAGS

TAKATA CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULES.

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

For the above-referenced vehicles with passenger?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer Support Program Overview attachment. This ?co

140000 AIR BAGS

For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer Support Program Overview attachment. This ?comp

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

030000 BRAKES (PWS)

Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles:

140000 AIR BAGS

In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has expanded the BMW Ultimate Rewards platform to include a new Recall Support page. This page will allow IRFs to check their customers VINs for

030000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 34 04 14 dated December 2014. Designates changes to the bulletin. INFORMATION 1.Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses d

034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

030000 BRAKES (PWS)

BMW: RUNNING NOISES HEARD WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, WITH HIGH BRAKE LOADS; THROUGH WHEEL OPENING, VISIBLE CRACKS CAN BE SEEN IN BRAKE DISCS AND STEERING WHEEL TORSIONAL VIBRATES WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. *PE

030000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles. INFORMATION 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 tha

140000 AIR BAGS

Special Technical Campaign. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has urged vehicle manufacturers to conduct an investigation into air bags which may not deploy correctly. BMW is cooperating with this request. Takata is

350000 EQUIPMENT

State Inspection and Emission (I/M) Test Fails Due To an Invalid VIN Number. The customer of an affected vehicle may fail to pass an I/M test due to a non-compliant 17digit vehicle identification number (VIN) stored in the DME (Digital Moto

111000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

BMW: BATTERY HAS AN INCREASED DEMAND DUE TO DEVELOPEMENTAL PROCESS OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS IS CAUSING THE BATTER TO NEED TO UNDERGO AN ENERGY DIAGNOSIS. *KB

063100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

BMW: ON SOME VEHICLES, THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAS AN INTERNAL COMPONENT THAT MAY FAIL AND CAUSING DRIVABILITY SYMPTOMS SUCH AS ERRATIC ENGINE OPERATION AND LONGER STARTING TIMES. *PE

022520 SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

BMW: A GRINDING NOISE IS COMING FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL DURING SLOW CORNERING. WHEN TURNING A SLIP/STICK EFFECT IS CREATED ON THE LINING AND STEEL DISCS INCORPORATED IN THE DIFFERENTIAL CLUTCH CAUSES A GRINDING NOISE. *RM

120000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BMW: PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING AND REPLACING INCANDESCENT AND HALOGEN LIGHT BULBS UNDER WARRANTY. *RM

072100 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

BMW VEHICLES: FUEL LEVEL SENSOR REPAIRS. WHERE IT IS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT SIDE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR DUE TO A FAILURE, THE ENTIRE PUMP AND HOUSING OR DELIVERY UNIT (SUCTION JET ASSEMBLY) DO NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WEL

118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

BMW: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL 08E-A03; M3 S54-DME REPROGRAMMING FOR CATALYST CONVERSION DIAGNOSIS. THE DME PROGRAMMING, AS ORIGINALLY INSTALLED, MAY CAUSE THE OBD DIAGNOSTIC TO ERRONEOUSLY EVALUATE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE CATALYTIC CONVER

063140 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

062300 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

BMW: THERMOSTAT HOUSING INSPECTION. THE RETAINING SPRINGS OF THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING QUICK RELEASE COUPLINGS FOR THE COOLANT HOSES MAY NOT BE LOCKED CORRECTLY. THIS SITUATION MAY RESULT IN A COOLANT LEAK. MODELS AFFECTED ARE M3 SEDAN (E

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

063140 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

BMW: AS ORIGINALLY INSTALLED, THE DME PROGRAMMING MAY CAUSE THE OBD DIAGNOSTIC TO ERRONEOUSLY EVALUATE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. MODEL E46 (M3) COUPE AND CONVERTIBLES. *PE

063100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

BMW: AS ORIGINALLY INSTALLED, THE DME PROGRAMMING MAY CAUSE THE OBD DIAGNOSTIC TO ERRONEOUSLY EVALUATE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. MODEL E46 (M3) COUPE AND CONVERTIBLES. *PE

NHTSA Safety Investigations, BMW M3

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

RQ, Open , Model Year: 1999

INADVERTANT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT

ON MARCH 26, 1999, BMW OF NORTH AMERICAN, INC. RECALLED 32,500 1999 323I AND 328I MANUFACTURED UP TO APRIL 1999, FOR INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIRBAG SYSTEM IN CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS SUCH AS CONTACTING LARGE POT HOLES OR CURBS AT SUBSTANTIAL SPEED.AS A REMEDY, BMW WILL RECODE THE AIR BAG... Read more

BMW M3 - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the BMW M3 across all model years (1988, 2023).

82 Total Recalls

554 Total Complaints

1 Investigations

31 Reported Crashes

6 Reported Fires

0 Reported Deaths

BMW M3 - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2025	0	2	View
2023	1	1	View
2022	0	1	View
2021	3	5	View
2018	0	10	View
2017	2	3	View
2016	3	7	View
2015	3	4	View
2014	1	0	View
2013	2	17	View
2012	3	6	View
2011	4	41	View
2010	4	20	View
2009	5	54	View
2008	5	102	View
2007	3	0	View
2006	5	14	View
2005 (current)	3	12
2004	3	38	View
2003	5	69	View
2002	5	48	View
2001	4	20	View
2000	2	0	View
1999	1	13	View
1998	1	18	View
1997	2	28	View
1996	1	1	View
1995	4	16	View
1994	1	0	View
1993	1	0	View
1992	1	0	View
1991	1	0	View
1990	1	0	View
1989	1	0	View
1988	1	2	View

Other BMW Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
X5	223	4,349	View
X3	155	2,661	View
330I	122	1,050	View
X6	110	293	View
328I	108	3,743	View
Z4	83	1,439	View
325I	83	1,809	View
5 SERIES	78	557	View

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

2005 BMW M3

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

EPA Fuel Economy, 2005 BMW M3

Technical Service Bulletins, 2005 BMW M3

Most Affected Components

NHTSA Safety Investigations, BMW M3

BMW M3 - All Years Overview

BMW M3 - Year by Year

Other BMW Models