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2004 BMW 545i Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 44 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 BMW 545i, most often about the air bags (41% of complaints, typically around 91,500 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about 545i model year since 2000.

Complaints44
Recalls0
Crashes reported1
Fires reported3
Injuries reported3

Most common 2004 BMW 545i problems

  1. Air bags

    18 complaints · 41%

    Half of these problems showed up before 91,500 miles. Parts named most often: sensor.

    I recently purchased a 2004 BMW 545i. On the second time having a passenger in the car, while driving down the highway, I was alerted by a chime and message that the passenger side airbag / safety restraint system had failed. Also noticed was that when turning on the driver's seat heater, the seat got very hot in one…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 91,636 miles
    Not too long ago I had my car parked on a street on a sunny day. I got in the vehicle and started it and received a message on my idrive saying that there is a passenger restraint system malfunction and a airbag light along with the seatbelt light lit up on the dash. Dealer says that there is no recall for this issue…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 91,200 miles

  2. Engine

    12 complaints · 27%

    Half of these problems showed up before 97,000 miles.

    The contact owns a 2004 BMW 545i. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, he attempted to accelerate and a large cloud of smoke emitted from the exhaust. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the valve stem seals had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 94,000 miles
    When I got up out the seat the airbag and seat belt indicator came on and is still on. It says passenger restraint system malfunction. And it will not deploy airbags. Also there have been a few oil leaks in the engine.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 104,000 miles

  3. Electrical

    12 complaints · 27%

    Half of these problems showed up before 119,000 miles.

    Bare wires inside the headlight housing, these are hid lights made by hella for BMW they are OEM. When contacting bmwna they say that's not how they make there lights and blame heat and the car not being maintained at a BMW dealership, well the rest of the wiring on the car is just fine even the wires that come in…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 119,000 miles
    Odometer was rolled back to 89,151. Http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/[phone].html seller's ad: I have this bm. In great shape and super clean in and out v8 89300 miles all,power in side navigation ,cd stereo sunroof leather seats more info please call me or email me thanks. Se habla spanol[] information redacted…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 123,760 miles

  4. Transmission

    8 complaints · 18%

    Half of these problems showed up before 94,500 miles.

    Vehicle slips in an out of 5th and 6th gear when traveling at constant 35 to 40 MPH in auto mode and around 60 MPH in ds mode. Noticeable oil leaks as well as occasional smoke from tailpipe and vehicle bangs into gear ( while downshifting on occasion) also noticed that the electrical system seems to cut out for a…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 87,000 miles
    Engine stalling while driving vehicle, unable to restart vehicle after the stall. Loss of power steering and brake power assist when vehicle stalls while driving. Engine stalls very periodically after a short period of operation. Took vehicle to dealer 3 times and were unable to pinpoint the problem. Dealer replaced…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 101,565 miles

  5. Seat belts

    5 complaints · 11%

    There is a BMW service bulletin si b 65 75 06 where they say they will fix an airbag and seatbelt issue on e60, e61 (5 series) vehicles produced up to 11/2005. The bulletin says it is due to oc3 seat mat fault. Due to parts defect they also cover it with an additional 10 year warranty according to the bulletin. My BMW…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 88,000 miles
    This transmission is slipping aggressively. It happens on up-shift 1-2 and downshift 2-1. It happens like 4 to 5 times in a week. Also sometimes I get a big slam on both up-shift and downshift... When this happens, the transmission malfunction error message pops up and reduces my movement to safe-mode, unless I shut…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 122,000 miles

  6. Brakes

    4 complaints · 9%

    The contact owns a 2004 BMW 540 five I. The contact stated that oil was leaking into the brakes. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 10v446000 (service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum). After repairs, oil continued to leak into the brakes. The manufacturer was contacted but the vehicle was…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 90,000 miles
    When beginning to drive, the vehicle would slam to the point where I thought I was rear ended. I took the car to my mechanic and he said it was the transmission and the fix was costly. Continues to do this at times and will also do a smaller scale slam when slowing to a stop light or stop sign.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 65,000 miles

  7. Steering

    4 complaints · 9%

    Takada recall. My car's make cracking noise or groaned noises as some other e60 owners described. The noises sounded as the car start rolling at low speed whether go straight or turn a little to left or right. It's happened every time. The airbag light come on during drive and it is off when I shut off the engine. The…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 15,000 miles

  8. Stability control

    4 complaints · 9%

    I came back from my summer holiday, and restarted my car. A lot of warnings appears on the odometer. About engine, airbags, steering, tire pressure, and seat belt. (I have checked the tire pressure, it is normal. And I always lock the seat belt before driving). In addition, the navigation screen and radio died.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 106,590 miles
    Takada recall. My car's make cracking noise or groaned noises as some other e60 owners described. The noises sounded as the car start rolling at low speed whether go straight or turn a little to left or right. It's happened every time. The airbag light come on during drive and it is off when I shut off the engine. The…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 15,000 miles

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 545i recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

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.

Questions about the 2004 BMW 545i

What are the most common problems with the 2004 BMW 545i?
By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (18 complaints, typically around 91,500 miles); engine (12 complaints, typically around 97,000 miles); electrical (12 complaints, typically around 119,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2004 BMW 545i have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2004 BMW 545i. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2004 a bad year for the BMW 545i?
It is the 2nd most complained-about 545i model year since 2000, with 44 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.

Other BMW 545i years

BMW 545i problems by year