MYRModel Year Report

2004 BMW 7 Series

○ Not enough data
2004 BMW 7 Series
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:57:44.974Z

Only 28 complaints on file — too few 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.

Only 28 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, BMW 7 Series Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2004 highlighted. 1995: 2 complaints 1995 1996: 1 complaints 1997: 2 complaints 1997 1998: 0 complaints 1999: 2 complaints 1999 2000: 2 complaints 2001: 2 complaints 2001 2002: 4 complaints 2003: 8 complaints 2003 2004: 28 complaints 2004 2005: 4 complaints 2005 2006: 29 complaints 2007: 13 complaints 2007 2008: 11 complaints 2008
2004: 28 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19952
19961
19972
19980
19992
20002
20012
20024
20038
200428
20054
200629
200713
200811

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 28 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

3 of 28 total reports mention: service brakes, hydraulic.

Show complaint excerpts

CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACCUM PUMP LEAKING. CHIRPING SOUND DURING IDLE. SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V446000. *JS

NHTSA ODI report, 20120416

SEATS

3 of 28 total reports mention: seats.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I STARTED MY BMW 745I TO WARM IT UP ALONG WITH THE HEATED SEATS. CAME OUT OF MY HOUSE THREE MINUTES LATER TO LEAVE AND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. I LOOKED AROUND BUT DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING OUTRIGHT OBVIOUS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20101207

TL*THE 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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20070726

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

3 of 28 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling.

STEERING

2 of 28 total reports mention: steering.

SERVICE BRAKES

2 of 28 total reports mention: service brakes.

Show complaint excerpts

I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY GOT HARD AND WENT TO THE FLOOR. BRAKES WOULD BE SOFT INITIALLY AND AS PRESSURE WAS CONTINUED WOULD GET HARD AND REQUIRED SUSTAINED INTENSE EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130515

VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND I HAVE TO ADD MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAD A RECALL CAMPAIGN NOVEMBER 2010 NO. 10V-446: BRAKE VACUUM PUMP.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130422

SAFETY TIMELINE

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 20041013 — seats

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 04V379000 — 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 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

I 20110805 — PE (closed 20120423)

Vehicle Rollaway

I 20120410 — EA (closed 20130124)

Vehicle Rollaway

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2004 BMW 7 Series — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seats issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V344000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V379000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V575000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V446000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2004 BMW 7 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 7 Series?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic, accounting for 11% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2004 BMW 7 Series have?

4 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.