Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

2003 vs 2004 BMW 325XI

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 275 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 80.0% more reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 2003 share 2004 share Share change
POWER TRAIN not reported 11.1% ▲ 11.1 pts larger share
ENGINE 9.7% not reported ▼ 9.7 pts smaller share
FUEL SYSTEM 9.7% 1.9% ▼ 7.8 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS not reported 3.7% ▲ 3.7 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL not reported 3.7% ▲ 3.7 pts larger share
WHEELS 3.2% not reported ▼ 3.2 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION 3.2% not reported ▼ 3.2 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE not reported 1.9% ▲ 1.9 pts larger share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 16.1% 14.8% ▼ 1.3 pts smaller share
AIR BAGS 45.2% 44.4% ▼ 0.7 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3.2% 3.7% ▲ 0.5 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16.1% 31.5% ▲ 15.4 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

2003 5

Campaign components: AIR BAGS and EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2004 4

Campaign components: AIR BAGS and EXTERIOR LIGHTING

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
2 → 1
◆ Injuries
1 → 6