KnownCarProblems2004 BMW 5 Series Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 BMW 5 Series, most often about the air bags (45% of complaints, typically around 81,000 miles). It is 4th of 13 5 Series model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2004 BMW 5 Series problems
Air bags
29 complaints · 45%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, sensor.
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 5 Series. The contact stated that the air bag and passenger restraint lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger seat occupant detection map needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated the…
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 545. The contact stated that the air bag and passenger restraint lights were illuminating on the dash board. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and was told that the passenger seat occupant detection mat failed. The dealer stated there was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number…
Seats
11 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: front assembly.
BMW recalled 2004 BMW 525i and others for the seat mat sensor. I had called them (2012-13) and they told me that my vehicle (based on VIN) wasn't part of the recall. I informed them that my vehicle's mat sensor was also defective and should be replaced by them. They, BMW USA told me that mine was not defective. I…
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 5 Series. The contact stated that he smelled smoke while driving approximately 25-35 MPH. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic where they advised him that the driver's side heated seat warmer burned a hole through the seat. The manufacturer was later contacted and they offered…
Electrical
9 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring.
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 545i. The contact stated that he noticed that there were various warning lights that illuminated on the instrumental panel. He stated that the vehicles I-drive would malfunction causing the radio to fail, GPS, and he was unable to make phone calls from the vehicle. The speedometer also…
Warning notice on "I drive" system that there was an emergency with the lighting system and the car should be stopped immediately. Directional signals no longer worked, emergency flashers were inoperative and headlights not operating properly. Brought car to dealer the next day and the problem was corrected with an…
Seat belts
7 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles.
Passenger restraint malfunction illuminated on the dash. It indicates that the seat belt lock and/or airbags may not work in an event of an accident. When I called BMW, they told me that my car is not covered under this recall and it will depend on my local dealership if I will have to pay for the repair.
Tl contact owns a 2004 BMW 5 Series. The contact noticed a burning smell and felt something burning her leg. She sustained burns to her thigh and buttocks area due to the seat warmer. The manufacturer was unable to assist. The contact was able to locate NHTSA campaign id number 08v384000 (air bags:frontal) for the…
Lights
6 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 89,500 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
Warning notice on "I drive" system that there was an emergency with the lighting system and the car should be stopped immediately. Directional signals no longer worked, emergency flashers were inoperative and headlights not operating properly. Brought car to dealer the next day and the problem was corrected with an…
Wire rot deterioration at the headlight assembly. Concern electrical fire due to bare exposed wires. Notified the dealer and manufacture without resolution. Personally had to pay over $500 to he dealership just to wrapped with electrical tape. After 3 months, currently experiencing high beam failure (hid adoptive…
Transmission
6 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 70,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
Tl contact owns a 2004 BMW 545. The contact was driving approximately 10 MPH when the accelerator pedal was engaged, the vehicle began to shudder. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who recommended that the transmission be replaced; and offered to pay for half of the repair cost. The vehicle had not been repaired…
Transmission slams into gear when taking off from an almost stopped position causing the vehicle to jump forward violently. This has launched me into intersections and caused me to almost rear-end several vehicles. This happens on a weekly basis of daily driving. The dealership wants to reprogram the transmission…
Steering
5 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: electric power assist system.
BMW 2004 545i active steering problem. My steering wheel suddenly shifted to the right. The active steering light went on. Now the car drives straight with the steering wheel tilted to the right. This is caused by the battery voltage drop. Car starts to shut down major components active steering, transmission…
I owned a 2004 BMW 525i e60 had "active steering fault came on at all time .the dealer wants 4000usd to fix the problem but the steering control is fine . I believe this issue had related to steering angle sensor defective from BMW factory and dealers in US did not want to fix this manufacturing defects. This problems…
Wheels and tires
3 complaints · 5%2004 BMW 530i developed problems with the tire equipment. The consumer discovered the right rear tire was flat and it was also worn down to the steel belts on the inside of the tire. The front tires also showed signs of wear on the inside.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 BMW 5 Series recalls
Electrical: cables
Risk: Overheating could lead to a fire, even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the battery bolt cable connection as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on april 30, 2012. Owners may contact bmw customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 5-series, model year 2004-2010 6-series, model year 2006-2010 m5, and model year 2007-2010 m6 vehicles. The insulated bulkhead connector for the positive battery cable may have been incorrectly attached to the trunk floor panel, which can lead to a loosening of the bolt connection. As it loosens, an increase in electrical resistance at this cable connection is possible and could cause the cable connection to overheat.
Brakes: vacuum
Risk: Power assist braking performance could be adversely affected. In extreme cases there could be a complete loss of power assist braking. An unexpected reduction or loss in power braking assist may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on november 24, 2010. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 5-series, 6-series, and model year 2002-2008 7-series vehicles. A check valve of the brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil. Over time this could result in contamination of the brake booster.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: In this situation the front passenger air bags will not deploy even if a sufficiently severe accident would occur and occupant protection provided by the system would not be possible.
Fix: Dealers will rework the front passenger seat sensor mat so that external force application to the seat does not cause a crack to the mat. The recall began on november 6, 2008. Bmw will also extend the warranty on these vehicles to 10 years from first registration without any mileage limit. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw is recalling 200,000 my 2006 3 series sport seat, my 2004-2006 5 series standard and sport seat, and my 2004-2006 x3 passenger vehicles. Depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger's entry and exit, small cracks have developed in the mat. If this occurs, the front passenger air bags, with the exception of the head protection system, will be deactivated and the air bag warning lamp as well as the passenger air bag "on-off" lamp will be illuminated.
Seats: seat heater/cooler
Risk: It is possible that the heating mat in the backrest's side bolster could overheat and damage, or melt a small hole in, this area of the seat cover. If this happened, it could lead to an occupant being burned.
Fix: Dealers will modify the seat heating circuit. The recall is expected to begin during december 2004. Owners should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with front seat heating systems, upon entering and exiting the vehicle, excessive contact with the side bolster that is contained in the seat's backrest may damage the heating mat located in this area. If such damage were to occur, with the system turned on, the vehicle occupant may feel excessive heat from this area.
Transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Risk: As a result, engine stalling will occur after a short period of operation. The vehicle may not be able to restart. Also, a loss of power steering and, after repeated actuation of the brake pedal, a loss of brake power assist will occur. These conditions could result in a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a new digital engine management control unit. The recall began on july 16, 2004. Owners should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 8 and 12 cylinder engines, the digital engine management control (emc) units were not produced according to specifications.
Fuel system: fuel system, gasoline
Risk: In the event of a severe frontal crash, the quick-release coupling could separate causing fuel leakage. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will install a circular retention clip at the quick-release coupling along the fuel supply line. The recall began on july 5, 2004. Owners should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 8-cylinder engines, a circular retention clip at the quick-release coupling along the fuel supply line was inadvertently not installed.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Bmw airbag light illumination
Summary
Bmw is conducting a safety recall campaign on approximately 200,000 my04 through my06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05 to correct the front passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat. The specific vehicles included in the recall aremy04- 06/ 5-series with standard and sport seats, my04-06/ x3-series and my06/ 3-series with sport seats. In addition, bmw will extend the warranty coverage of the passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat to 10-year/unlimited mileage on approximately 120,000 remaining my04-06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05. The specific vehicles included in the extended warranty are my 06/ 6 series, my 06/ 3-series with standard seats, my04-05/ z4, my04-06/
Questions about the 2004 BMW 5 Series
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 BMW 5 Series?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (29 complaints, typically around 81,000 miles); seats (11 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); electrical (9 complaints, typically around 88,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 BMW 5 Series have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 26, 2012 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the BMW 5 Series?
- It is 4th of 13 5 Series model years by number of complaints, with 64 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.