MYRModel Year Report

2004 BMW 5 Series

○ Not enough data
2004 BMW 5 Series
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:02:40.317Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, BMW 5 Series Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2004 highlighted. 1989: 1 complaints 1989 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 0 complaints 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 0 complaints 1993 1994: 0 complaints 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 0 complaints 1997: 1 complaints 1997 1998: 0 complaints 1999: 2 complaints 2000: 2 complaints 2001: 3 complaints 2001 2002: 7 complaints 2003: 9 complaints 2004: 64 complaints 2004 2005: 21 complaints 2005 2006: 85 complaints 2007: 13 complaints 2008: 98 complaints 2009: 4 complaints 2009 2010: 6 complaints 2011: 81 complaints 2012: 10 complaints 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

AIR BAGS 38%

38% of complaints: air bags — 24 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20150112

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, 20180921

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, 20120416

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%

13% of complaints: electrical system — 8 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
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, 20180115

SEATS 11%

11% of complaints: seats — 7 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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, 20120416

SEAT BELTS 11%

11% of complaints: seat belts — 7 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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, 20180921

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 6 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20040705 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Campaign 04V303000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040716 — power train

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.

Campaign 04V344000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20041214 — seats

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 DAMA

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.

Campaign 04V575000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20080104 — EA (closed 20081231)

BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION

R 20081106 — air bags

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 PASSENG

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 T

Campaign 08V384000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20101124 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

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.

Campaign 10V446000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20120430 — electrical system

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

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 CUSTOMER

Campaign 12V126000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20120822 — engine and engine cooling

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 2008-20

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 co

Campaign 12E029000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190828 — steering

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.

Campaign 19E058000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2004 BMW 5 Series — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (24 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seats issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V303000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V344000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V575000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08V384000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V446000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V126000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12E029000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19E058000 (steering) has been completed.
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 38% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2004 BMW 5 Series have?

8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.