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2005 BMW 3 Series problems

The most common problem on the 2005 BMW 3 Series is airbags, typically around 70,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical 3 Series model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
76/100
Owner complaints
25
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
71
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
19-21mpg

The worst 2005 BMW 3 Series problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    16
  • Lights
    4
  • Electrical
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Acceleration
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    16
  • Lights
    4
  • Electrical
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Body
    1
  • Brakes
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Defect investigations

Rear lamp illuminationOpened August 7, 2009, closed December 22, 2009

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.

PE09036

Technical service bulletins for the 2005 BMW 3 Series 71

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 71 bulletins for the 2005 BMW 3 Series

2005 BMW 3 Series fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.5L 6‑cylRWD16-1824-2719-21
3.0L 6‑cylRWD16-1723-2619-20
2.5L 6‑cyl4WD172420

What 2005 BMW 3 Series owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 29, 2018 · Electrical · GA

I was going down the road doing about 45 MPH, at night on a back road when my front headlight on the drive side without. On the dishboard of the car the check bulb light came on. I got home the next day when tk the part place to get a bulb to find out the wires where bare there was only metal no plastic. Theg told me you had to replace the hole thing witch cost over 1000 dollars for. I went home research it online, and found out it happens a lot on bmw, and they never recall them. That they have even been on fire due to this. I called bmw and they told me they know of the issue, and they have yet to recall then and after you fit it it will happen again and about five years due to heat.

Filed Jun 6, 2017 · Acceleration, Brakes · 150,000 miles · VA · crash · fire · 2 injuries

The incident occurred 6-5-2017. The vehicle was parked and on ignition start, the car's engine was unusually loud and revved up. Upon shifting the automatic gear to reverse, the car self-accelerated in reverse without pressing the gas. Attempts to repeatedly break did not work, so gear was shifted to drive to move forward and avoid a collision into a neighborhood home that was behind the parked car. Upon changing gear to drive, the car continued to self-accelerate forward, and again brakes did not work. In forward motion, at high speed the car went over the curb and hilly ground. Attempt to shift now to park along with brake did not work. To avoid massive accident and collision with parked cars ahead, the driver turned the wheels toward a utility pole to stop the vehicle. The car stopped only after a collision with the utility pole. The car was smoking in the back and was still revving when stopped. According to the driver, car was moving at speed 60 MPH. No floor mats were misplaced near driver pedals. Driver was able to get help, at which point 911 call was made. Driver was transported by ambulance to fairfax hospital emergency room. Driver suffered fractured nose and tears in face that required surgical repair and sutures. Event reported to bmw north america, 6-6-2017. Most people will try to conclude that this was driver error. However, various malfunctioning self-acceleration issues with bmws have been reported online; including e46 generation bmws, which is the model of my car. In cases where the problem was successfully solved (for bmws), replacing either the vanos solenoid sensors or wheel speed sensors did the trick. In unsuccessful cases, the drivers simply sold/replaced the entire car because the dealerships were unable to detect or recreate the issue using the software and techniques they had.

Filed Apr 8, 2017 · Lights · 90,000 miles · CA

Passenger headlight low beam reflector is burnt out due to faulty material being used. Reflector is made out of plastic and normal heat from bulb melts the plastic. This makes it very unsafe and difficult to see at night. This seems to be extremely common on the internet. The solution is very expensive and due to this cost,most people will not fix and drive under this unsafe situation. Please look into this and hold bmw responsible.

Filed Dec 9, 2016 · Airbags · FL

Takata inflators, has been over a year and bmw dealership still has no answer

Filed Nov 27, 2016 · Airbags · CA

Takata recall parts not available. Original appointment attempted for 10/27/16. Peter pan bmw canceled appointment and notified me the parts were not in stock and there was no estimate for delivery. 30 days have passed with no updates from the dealership. Both driver and passenger airbags are affected by the recall.

Filed Nov 14, 2016 · Airbags · MO

Takata recall I received a notice about the recall back on july 2015 and still have not been notified that I can have this fixed! I had a toyota vehicle that was remedied very quickly! This recall should not take over a year to have it fixed. I am driving this car and want this documented!

Filed Sep 23, 2016 · Airbags · 70,000 miles · MD

I received a printed notification from bmw of north america, llc dated july 2015 under the subject matter: "recall campaign no. 15v‑318: driver-side front air bag module." since I received the notification, 13 months have passed and still I have not received any letter from catonsville bmw in maryland regarding replacement of the airbag. Since I am the original owner of the car and still owns it, I am driving it risking my life and limb for myself and other members of my family. It is therefore requested that necessary actions be taken for replacement of the driver-side airbag of my 2005 bmw 325i by catonsville bmw as soon as possible to avert potential destruction of life and limb of myself and my family. Thank you.

Filed Aug 29, 2016 · Airbags · DC

Takata recall - driver side airbag has been recalled for over 12 months - today I received the second notification from bmw. I have been unable to have bmw make the repair in over a year due to unavailability. What is "within a reasonable amount of time" that this complaint should be made?

Filed Jul 17, 2016 · Airbags · NH

Takata recall: in july 2015 received notice of recall due to driver's side air bag deficit. Have called 2 dealers several times in attempt to obtain replacement during the past year. Have consistently been told that I'm on a wait list and that replacement parts are not available. Although there has been no incident or failure, one year seems an excessively long time to wait given the safety risk. Complaint issued by phone but VIN not available at the time.

Filed Jul 11, 2016 · Airbags · NH

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw 3 series. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was unavailable.

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Questions about the 2005 BMW 3 Series

Is the 2005 BMW 3 Series reliable?

Owners have filed 25 complaints about the 2005 BMW 3 Series, fewer than a typical 3 Series model year.

What is the 2005 BMW 3 Series year score?

The 2005 BMW 3 Series scores 76 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 3 Series: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 BMW 3 Series?

Airbags, with 16 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles. Next is lights (4).

How many recalls does the 2005 BMW 3 Series have?

No recalls on record.

What year does the BMW 3 Series have bad airbags?

The BMW 3 Series model years with the most airbags complaints are 2006 (101 complaints), 2007 (35 complaints) and 2003 (21 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2005 BMW 3 Series get?

Official estimates for the 2005 BMW 3 Series range from 19 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 16-18 city and 24-27 highway.

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