KnownCarProblems2004 BMW 7 Series Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 BMW 7 Series, most often about the brakes (18% of complaints). It is the 2nd most complained-about 7 Series model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2004 BMW 7 Series problems
Brakes
5 complaints · 18%Parts named most often: power assist.
Tl contact owns a 2004 BMW 745i. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for routine repair and the technician detected oil leaking from the brake vacuum pump into the engine. The vehicle was repaired under the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 10v446000 (service brakes…
Tl contact owns a 2004 BMW 745i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id [VIN], service brakes, hydraulic power assist vacuum and took the vehicle to the dealer for repairs. The dealer informed the contact that the brake vacuum pump was leaking and needed to be replaced and it was not a part of the…
Transmission
4 complaints · 14%Parts named most often: automatic transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive).
After two weeks of purchase, the vehicle went into neutral mode with the gear shift still in drive without warning. The consumer coasted the vehicle to the side of the road. On a separate occasion, the power steering failed and became difficult to operate for directional control twice. On both items the dealership was…
Vehicle became hard to control, and consumer was able to contain it. After coming to a full stop rear driver's wheel continued to spin. Vehicle had to be towed, and no defects were found.
Engine
3 complaints · 11%While driving at 45 MPH consumer heard a loud bang outside of the vehicle. Consumer pulled over and inspected the vehicle, but could not find a problem. A day later, the check engine light came on and remained on. Dealer found that the fender cover came off, and could be the cause of the check engine light being on.
Tl contact owns a 2004 BMW 745i. The contact stated that the engine would overheat and the vehicle would shut down and lose power. The safety mechanism in the vehicle would shut down if it sensed a failure with the vehicle. The failure occurred a total of three times while driving 40 MPH. On one occasion, she was able…
Electrical
3 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: horn.
The horn did not work. After complaining to the dealer for more than 5 months. The manufacturer was contacted and they told him that the horn only worked in certain places because of the air bag. The manufacturer was contacted about the horn problem. The manufacturer told the consumer that the steering wheel was…
Tl contact owns a 2004 BMW 745i. The contact stated that the engine would overheat and the vehicle would shut down and lose power. The safety mechanism in the vehicle would shut down if it sensed a failure with the vehicle. The failure occurred a total of three times while driving 40 MPH. On one occasion, she was able…
Steering
3 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system.
After two weeks of purchase, the vehicle went into neutral mode with the gear shift still in drive without warning. The consumer coasted the vehicle to the side of the road. On a separate occasion, the power steering failed and became difficult to operate for directional control twice. On both items the dealership was…
When vehicle comes to a complete stop on an incline with the steering wheel turned full chocked to either the left or right the steering wheel freezes and cannot be turned to the opposite direction. It will not free up until I shift the transmission in reverse and back up a few feet. At that point it will unfreeze…
Seats
3 complaints · 11%Driver's seat occupant detection sensor malfunction. There were no untoward incidents except that I had to drive abt. 65 miles, miss my office hours, unable to use the car fearlessly, and put myself in danger.the recall in your report did not include my chassis number(ds54945), which I purchased 23 nov 2004.
Tl contact owns a 2004 BMW 745li. The contact received a warning from the computer to engage his seat belt. The seat belts were already engaged, however, he continued to receive the message. The dealer stated that there was a glitch in the program and they would need to service the computer. Approximately three weeks…
Air bags
3 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: frontal.
Shortly after purchase of a used 2004 BMW 745li, the airbag light remained illuminated and the passenger occupancy light remained illuminated at all times. Car would not pass inspection, therefore I paid $1700 to BMW of silver spring to have this corrected.
Owner of '04 745i as of 4/8/11. Last month received notice stating "default in driver restraint system & airbag illuminated constantly & message stating airbag may not operate." took a trip to missouri last wk & received a notice that there's a fault in pass restraint system, red illuminated light, airbag may not…
Fuel system
3 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: delivery.
Tl contact owns a 2004 BMW 760li. While driving approximately 70 MPH the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact was able to merge to the side of the road and restart the vehicle. The vehicle stalled approximately five times intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians stated both high…
In reference to BMW 760li fuel pump. Recently had to replace mine, after car stalled while driving on the the highway. Car also was hard to start, had to crank along time to build up enough prssure to start. Problem became worse over time.
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 7 Series recalls
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.
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.
Seats
Risk: In certain crash conditions, the driver's front air bag, head protection system, safety belt pretensioner, and knee air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury to a seat occupant.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the software for the driver's seat occupant detection system. The recall began october 13, 2004. Owners should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the software programming of the driver's seat occupant detection system (ods) may not be able to reliably determine if the driver's seat is occupied.
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.
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
Vehicle rollaway
Summary
In a letter dated october 16, 2012, bmw of north america, llc (bmw) submitted a defect information report (dir), NHTSA recall no. 12v-502 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving the possibility of unattended vehicle rollaway in my 2005 through 2008 bmw 7-series (approximately 45,000) vehicles equipped with the comfort access option.the comfort access option allows the driver to start and stop the engine (by pressing the engine start / stop button) without inserting the key fob into the vehicles key slot in the instrument panel.subject vehicles not equipped with the comfort access option require the key fob be inserted the key slot to start the engine.upon removal of the key from the k
Vehicle rollaway
Summary
In response to the office of defects investigation's (odi) information request (ir) for pe11-025, bmw provided odi with 1 complaint and 46 field reports relating to either incidents of unattended vehicle rollaway or vehicle movement after the driver expected the vehicle gearshift to automatically shift to park. Odi's analysis of the data provided by bmw identified 14 crashes and 5 alleged injuries. Odi has also identified 3 additional reports in its database alleging vehicle rollaway incidents of which 2 resulted in crashes.the subject vehicles are all equipped with push-buttons (start/stop button) to control starting/stopping the engine and shift-by-wire gearshift systems controlled by a co
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 7 Series
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 BMW 7 Series?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (5 complaints); transmission (4 complaints); engine (3 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2004 BMW 7 Series have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 1, 2010 (brakes). 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 7 Series?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about 7 Series model year since 2000, with 28 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 7 Series years
- 2004
- 2006