2005 BMW M3 Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

AIR BAGS

20 complaints

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 RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Mar 22, 2017

TAKATA INFLATORS, HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND BMW DEALERSHIP STILL HAS NO ANSWER

Dec 09, 2016

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.

Nov 27, 2016

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!

Nov 14, 2016

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. *TR

Sep 23, 2016

+ 15 more complaints for this component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

3 complaints

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 OR MODIFICATIONS TO THE CAR, IT'S IN ORIGINAL STATE. I SPOKE TO MY SERVICE ADVISER TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO, HOWEVER IT'S BEEN ALMOST A MONTH AND WON'T EVEN RETURN MY CALLS. I'VE CALLED THEM AT LEAST 20 TIMES DURING THE PAST MONTH, IT'S RIDICULOUS FOR SUCH A REPUTABLE COMPANY LIKE BMW TO NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY OF A KNOWN ISSUE, WHICH I'VE READ ON SEVERAL BMW FORUMS, AND NOW THEY CAN'T EVEN RETURN MY CALLS. IT'S DISAPPOINTING. I GUESS THIS IS MY LAST BMW. *TT

Sep 16, 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 CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE. THIS PART BREAKS OFF DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN OF THE ADJUSTABLE TIMING MECHANISM (VANOS). A REDESIGN OF THE SYSTEM OR REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF PARTS IS NEEDED TO SOLVE THE ISSUE FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. AS A TEMPORARY SOLUTION I HAVE REPLACED THE $1000 DOLLAR PART WHICH HAS THE POSSIBILITY OF FAILING AGAIN. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AS IT IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE ON THE S54 ENGINE ON THOUSANDS OF HIGH END BMW'S AND LEADS TO A RIDICULOUS FEE TO FIX THAT CAN RANGE FROM $1000-$8000 DEPENDING ON SEVERITY. *TR

Jul 28, 2011

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 FAILS, THE CAM GEAR CAN SHEER OFF, AND PARTS CAN GET INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. SOMETIMES, PARTS CAN BREAK OFF INTO THE HOOD OF THE CAR. THIS SYSTEM FAILS WITHOUT RHYME OR REASON, SEEMINGLY AT RANDOM. MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VANOS SYSTEM. PLEASE OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING LINKS: HTTP://WWW.M3FORUM.NET/M3FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=327372 HTTP://WWW.M3FORUM.NET/M3FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=321494 HTTP://WWW.M3FORUM.NET/M3FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=212573 A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH WILL YIELD MORE RESULTS. SOMETIMES REPLACING THE BOLTS ON THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST CAMSHAFT WITH HARDENED BOLTS WILL SOMETIMES FIX THE ISSUE, BUT OTHER TIMES, THE PROBLEM SEEMS RANDOM. *TR

Jul 23, 2010

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

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 SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT FUTURE OCCURRENCE.

Jun 13, 2018

REAR VIEW MIRROR LEAK ONTO THE TAN COLOR CONSOLE OF THE CAR. THIS IS DUE TO THE MANUFACTURES MALFUNCTION REAR VIEW MIRRORS PLACED IN MOST MODELS. THE LIQUID LEAK IS THE MAKE UP OF THE DIMMER IN ORDER TO WORK. BECAUSE THE LIQUID SPILLED OUT, THE DIMMER NO LONGER WORKS AND I HAVE A BLACK STAINED ON MY TAN COLOR CONSOLED THAT DOES NOT REMOVED AND A VERY EXPENSIVE MIRROR THAT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AS EXPECTED BY MANUFACTURE.

Aug 27, 2015

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2 complaints

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.

Apr 08, 2017

I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM BMW FOR THE PROBLEM WITH REAR LAMPS. AT THAT TIME,ALL REAL LAMPS WERE WORKING ON MY CAR. HOWEVER FOR SAFETY CONCERN, I BROUGHT MY CAR TO BE CHECKED; FEW MONTHS LATER, ONE OF THE TAIL LIGHT NOT WORKING. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THEY WERE DONE FOR THE RECALL . I NEED TO PAY IF I WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. BUT I FOUND THERE WAS NO POSITIVE VOLTAGE ON THE LIGHT BULB CIRCUIT. I TRACED THE WIRE AND DISCOVERED THE WIRE WAS BROKEN. THEN I ALSO FOUND ALL OTHER WIRES FOR THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE AGING, THE PLASTIC OF THE WIRES WERE DETERIORATED AND THE COPPER WIRE EXPLORED TO VISIBLE. THAT MEAN THE DEALER DIDN'T DO THE RIGHT WORK LAST TIME. BECAUSE IT'S NO REASON THE WIRE WILL DETERIORATE THAT FAST IF THEY DID IT RIGHT FOR THE RECALL. I COMPLAINT TO BMW AND THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THEY ALREADY DONE WITH MY CAR. IF I NEED ANY WORK TO BE DONE I NEED TO PAY BY MYSELF. THE COPPER WIRES EXPLORED TO VISIBLE, IT WOULD CAUSE ELECTRIC FIRE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE THE PICTURE SHOWING THE AGING WIRE CONDITION ON MY CAR. I CAN EMAIL TO YOU IF YOU NEED IT. *TR

Feb 23, 2013

POWER TRAIN

2 complaints

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 THAT THERE WASNT A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION AND THEREFORE IT ISNT DEEMED AN ISSUE ON THIER END. I TOLD THEM I WASNTED THIS REPORTED AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE THE REPORT IN THIER SYSTEM. I WAS NOT AWARE UNTIL RECENTLY THAT YOU HAVE TO REPORT IT TO NHTSA. THE FORUMS I HAVE READ HAVE ALSO CALLED BMW AND REPORTED ISSUES. THEY MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT THEY HAVE TO REPORT IT TO NHTSA AND NOT BMW. VERY DISHEARTENING. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ENJOY DRIVING MY CAR BECAUSE OF BMW WANTS ALMOST $6000.00 TO FIX THE ISSUE AND GIVE A 1 YR WARRANTY ON SOMETHING THEY KNOW TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. THEY OFFER NO ASSISTANCE WITH EXPENSE WITH THIS WELL KNOW ISSUE.

Oct 03, 2015

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

Jun 08, 2011

VISIBILITY

2 complaints

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 BLURRY, AND HARD TO SEE OUT OF (WHICH IS A SAFTEY HAZARD FOR VEHICLE OPERATION). MY PARTICULAR CAR IS STILL UNDER CPO BMW WARRANTY, AND I WAS TOLD THE MIRROR IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH ITS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN MATERIALS, OR DESIGN FROM THE MANUFACTURER. RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ON INTERNET FORUMS I'VE DISCOVERED THOUSANDS OF OTHER OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT A RARE OCCURENCE, AND BMW REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SCOPE OF PROBLEM. WE HAVE ALL BEEN FORCED TO SPEND $600 FOR A REPLACEMENT MIRROR, THAT WILL OVERTIME HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

Jun 29, 2011

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 DETERMINE IF WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, WARRANTY IS DENIED. STATES WINDSHIELD PROBLEMS (TSB: M5120103, ://ALLDATA.COM/TSB/85/04850253.HTML) HAVE BEEN FIXED IN 2005 MODELS YET NUMEROUS OWNERS ON MINI2.COM AND NORTHAMERICANMOTORING.COM CONTRADICT THAT STATEMENT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.*AK

Mar 13, 2005

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

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.

Dec 29, 2018

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

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.

Jun 06, 2017

Crash: 1

Fire: 1

Injuries: 2

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 complaint

SIDE MIRRORS FADING INTO A BROWN COLOR. MAKING THE VISIBILITY THROUGH THEM IMPOSSIBLE. MANY TIMES I HAVE ALMOST SIDE SWIPED CARS THAT ARE ON THE SIDE OF ME DUE TO MY NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE OUR OF MY SIDE MIRRORS. ALSO FRONT LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I HAVE CHANGED IT 3 TIMES IN TWO MONTHS AND IT KEEPS EITHER GOING OUT OR FALLING OUT OF THE HOLE MAKING THE INDICATOR LIGHT COME ON.

Mar 04, 2016

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

VEHICLE LEAKS RAINWATER PROFUSELY THROUGH THE DOORS/VAPOR BARRIERS TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. RAIN WATER POOLS IN THE FOOTWELLS EXCESSIVELY. COULD POSE POTENTIAL DANGER IF FEET ARE WET AND SLIPPING ON BRAKE, CLUTCH OR GAS PEDALS. ALSO WORRIED ABOUT POOLING OF WATER AFFECTING SAFETY SENSORS/SYSTEMS LOCATED UNDER DRIVER SEAT. *TR

May 01, 2014

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 complaint

REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS "BUBBLES" AND IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO USE NOW. *TR

Mar 17, 2013

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

2005 BMW 320I . TAIL LIGHT INDICATOR WARNING CAME ON. TURNS OUT THE WIRE WAS MELTED AROUND THE METAL WHERE THE WIRE PLUGS INTO TAIL LIGHT!! VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX! *TR

Nov 11, 2010

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4.2/5.0

53 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2005 BMW M3 have?

The 2005 BMW M3 currently has 37 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2005 BMW M3?

The most common problems reported for the 2005 BMW M3 are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2005 BMW M3 problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2005 BMW M3 comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.