MYRModel Year Report

2004 BMW 5 Series

○ Not enough data
2004 BMW 5 Series
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:54:47.999Z

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
64
Recalls
8

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

48% of complaints

Complaints per year

1989: 1 complaint 1989 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 0 complaints 1992: 0 complaints 1992 1993: 0 complaints 1994: 0 complaints 1995: 3 complaints 1995 1996: 0 complaints 1997: 1 complaint 1998: 0 complaints 1998 1999: 2 complaints 2000: 2 complaints 2001: 3 complaints 2001 2002: 7 complaints 2003: 9 complaints 2004: 64 complaints 2004 64 2005: 21 complaints 2006: 85 complaints 2007: 13 complaints 2007 2008: 98 complaints 2009: 4 complaints 2010: 6 complaints 2010 2011: 81 complaints 2012: 10 complaints 2023: 0 complaints 2023
1989: 1 complaint 1989 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 0 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 0 complaints 1993 1994: 0 complaints 1995: 3 complaints 1995 1996: 0 complaints 1997: 1 complaint 1997 1998: 0 complaints 1999: 2 complaints 1999 2000: 2 complaints 2001: 3 complaints 2001 2002: 7 complaints 2003: 9 complaints 2004: 64 complaints 2004 64 2005: 21 complaints 2006: 85 complaints 2007: 13 complaints 2007 2008: 98 complaints 2009: 4 complaints 2009 2010: 6 complaints 2011: 81 complaints 2011 2012: 10 complaints 2023: 0 complaints 2023
1989: 1 complaint 1989 1990: 0 complaints 1990 1991: 0 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1992 1993: 0 complaints 1993 1994: 0 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1995 1996: 0 complaints 1996 1997: 1 complaint 1997 1998: 0 complaints 1998 1999: 2 complaints 1999 2000: 2 complaints 2000 2001: 3 complaints 2001 2002: 7 complaints 2002 2003: 9 complaints 2003 2004: 64 complaints 2004 64 2005: 21 complaints 2005 2006: 85 complaints 2006 2007: 13 complaints 2007 2008: 98 complaints 2008 2009: 4 complaints 2009 2010: 6 complaints 2010 2011: 81 complaints 2011 2012: 10 complaints 2012 2023: 0 complaints 2023

2004: 64 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19891
19900
19910
19920
19930
19940
19953
19960
19971
19980
19992
20002
20013
20027
20039
200464
200521
200685
200713
200898
20094
20106
201181
201210
20230

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

48% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and occupant classification.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While traveling and slowing down to make a turn into a business, the car beside me (Left of me) makes a quick fast u turn and ends up hitting my car. Airbags deployed, hitting me into my face/head very hard. I have been in treatment since.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-01-12

Passenger seat/airbag warning malfunction. This warning has been on since I purchased vehicle. It is obviously the common seat mat sensor failure.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-09-21

Also filed under Seat belts

My car has the passenger restraint system malfunction message on the navigation screen and also the seatbelt light and the airbag light are illuminated on the dashboard.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-16

Also filed under Seats

Seats

17% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing seat heater/cooler.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

We just purchased our BMW 545I in mid October. On November 13TH while driving home from our son's home we smelled something burning. My husband soon realized that the driver's seat and his pants were on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-11-23

The drivers side seat warmer caused a fire in my 2003 BMW 545. I was real lucky that I smelled a strange odor and was able to put the fire out after shutting off the seat warmer.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-11-14

In may of this year I leased a brand new 530I BMW. While driving to work this morning using the heated seat, the seat along with my jacket and sweater caught fire. Thankfully I was not hurt but shaken up.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-11-10

Electrical system

14% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing wiring.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

About 3 weeks ago we noticed in the front passenger seat "A mark" That looks like a burnt - we thought that it was just a mark or somebody put a hot bottle o cup on the seat - but this morning we turn the heating in both seat to warm up a little bit...

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-15

Seat belts

11% · 7 reports
FIREINJURY

Power train

9% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission.

FIRE

Safety timeline

8 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2004-07-05Fuel system, gasoline04V303000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2004-07-16Power train04V344000 On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 8 and 12 cylinder engines, the digital engine management control (Emc) units were not produced according to specifications.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2004-12-14Seats04V575000 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…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2008-01-04Engineering analysisClosed 2008-12-31 BMW airbag light illumination
  5. R
    2008-11-06Air bags08V384000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2010-11-24Service brakes, hydraulic10V446000 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.…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2012-04-30Electrical system12V126000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2012-08-22Engine and engine cooling12E029000 This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year…

    Remedy: Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2019-08-28Steering19E058000 ZF Group North America Operations (ZF) is recalling certain Lemförder Steering Center Rods sold as aftermarket parts for 1996-2004 BMW 5-Series (E39) vehicles.

    Remedy: ZF has notified the parts distributors, instructing them to inform the end customer. ZF will reimburse them for the affected parts. The recall began August 28, 2019.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2004 BMW 5 Series — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 31 reports on file for this year.
  • Seats: 11 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 9 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V303000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 04V344000 · Power train
  • Recall 04V575000 · Seats
  • Recall 08V384000 · Air bags
  • Recall 10V446000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 12V126000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 12E029000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 19E058000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2004 BMW 5 Series reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 BMW 5 Series?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 48% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 BMW 5 Series have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.