Headlamp bulb out and upon replacement it was noted the coated wiring to the xenon system to right and left headlight is brittle (the wires plastic coating is falling off)and in some places exposed wiring was found. Electrical tape need to wrap the wiring to avoid potential fire. Late notice to this site I was unaware to file a report. Others also have complained about the same issues.
The worst 2004 BMW 3 Series problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Lights42
- Airbags15
- Electrical12
- Visibility5
- Brakes3
- Locks3
- Body2
- Seats2
- Transmission2
- Fuel system1
- Seat belts1
- Steering1
- Suspension1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 BMW 3 Series
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
Rear Lamp Illumination
In a letter submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) dated August25, 2011, BMWindicated that it will conduct a voluntary recall campaign to remedy the subject vehicles.The issue involves the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel.Through normal vehicle use over time, the rear lamps ground wiring and associated 8-pin connector can experience an increase of the resistance at the electrical contact points.This can lead to intermittent or permanent loss of the rear lamp functions which include tail, brake, and turn signal operation.The recall consists of modifying the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel by adding a secondary ground connection in parallel to the existing primary ground connection.An 8-pin connector that attaches the primary ground wiring to the rear lamp assembly will also be inspected and replaced if necessary.BMW will complete dealer notification in September 2011 and will begin owner notification in October 2011.All 3 series sedans (except for the M3 sedan which utilized a different rear lamp assembly) that were built between September 1, 2001 and March 1, 2005 are included in this recall, totalling approximately 241,000 vehicles.The action taken by BMW is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.
EA09019
Rear lamp illumination
Odi has received complaints from consumers stating that their tail light assembly is not properly illuminating.the tail light assembly consists of a turn signal lamp, a tail lamp and a brake lamp.the complainants have indicated that the issue is with an 8 pin connector and associated ground wiring.these components are allegedly overheating and melting due to excessive electrical current that runs through the system.bmw issued a technical service bulletin (tsb) sib-630306 on february 2007 to address the condition by adding supplementary ground wiring to the tail lamp assembly.odi is upgrading to an ea to further investigate the issue.
PE09036
Rear lamp illumination
In march 2009, the office of defects investigation (odi) received a petition from mr. Mark peters requesting an investigation of rear lamp failure in model year 2002-2005 bmw 3-series vehicles.an information request letter was sent to bmw in april 2009, and odi received bmw's response in june 2009.the tail lamp assembly contains lighting for the brake lamps, tail lamps, and turn signals.a technical service bulletin (tsb) was issued by bmw in january of 2007 instructing service technicians to examine an 8 pin electrical connector for heat-related damage and to incorporate additional ground wiring to the connector.complainants have alleged that significant thermal damage to the connector and associated ground wiring has occurred.this condition can result in intermittent or total loss of all lighting (brake, tail, and turn signal) for the effected rear lamp assembly.odi will open a preliminary evaluation to further examine this issue including further evaluating bmw complaints and related warranty data.
DP09002
Technical service bulletins for the 2004 BMW 3 Series 60
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few...
- Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been...
- Bmw: service engine soon light is on
- Bmw: some airbags, driver and front passenger, are improperly deploying due to a possible inflator not...
- Bmw: battery has an increased demand due to developemental process of the electrical system
- Bmw: vehicle does not start: loose ground Z6000 4B
- Bmw: dsc warning light is on
- Bmw: the high-voltage (HV) battery cells could be damaged if the vehicle is prevented from entering sleep...
- Bmw vehicle: the service engine soon (MIL) lamp is illuminated and a power reduction is clearly perceptible
2004 BMW 3 Series fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 6‑cyl | RWD | 16-19 | 24-28 | 19-22 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | RWD | 16-17 | 23-26 | 19-20 |
| 2.5L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 17 | 24 | 20 |
What 2004 BMW 3 Series owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
New defective brake pads caused a traffic accident with total loss of the vehicles involved. Brake pads are contaminated and embedded with a slippery substance. Pads are from prime choice auto parts 42832 state route 12, alexandria bay, ny, 13607-2216 can you investigate and analyze the brake pads in order to stop the selling of defective and dangerous brake pads? I am able to ship to you a brake pad sample. The vehicle was in motion, but unable to stop before turning on a city street.
Vehicle adaptive xenon headlight wiring is faulty . Wire insulation is cracking/deteriorating and entire wires are breaking apart. Symptoms start with flickering xenon headlight eventually (about a week later) stops working at all. Vehicle is moving or stationary, engine on. The faulty wires are in a weather sealed compartment of the headlight and have never (to my knowledge) even been unsealed/accessed since leaving the factory. The issue is on the passenger side, unknown if it is on the driver side as well. The attached photo shows back side of the headlight housing looking down, with the weather-sealed compartment open. All exposed wire is as a result of the issue, nobody has actively cut or stripped the wires. Problem first noticed in sept of 2016, attempts were made to repair but now it has happened again, worse.
My vehicle unexpectedly started on fire as my daughter was driving to school. It was determined that it was an electrical fire, and resulted in the car being totaled. The 2004 models need to be included in the recall (not that it will help with the loss of my car).
TAKATA RECALL the federal safety agency RECALL NUMBER:15V318 the federal safety agency RECALL NUMBER: 14V428
Headlights project almost no light. Just paid $130 to have lenses cleaned, no improvment. I thought it was my eyes and complained to opthamologist twice but my eyes are ok. I've read tht the reflector bowls in this model melt from the heat of the bulb. I need to remedy this situation asap so I will not be able to wait for an investigation.
Takata recall I received a letter dated july 2015 concerning the recall of the driver's side air bag. I called my local bmw on 11/24/15 and they said they put my name on the list and would call me when the replacement came in. I called again on 4/14/16 and [xxx] said she would check to make sure my name is on the list and would call me back when the parts arrived. It's been a year and a half and I have not received a call back. This is so concerning to me as this car is my main mode of transportation and I am so afraid I will have a front end collision resulting in death or dismemberment. If that should happen I or my estate will most certainly sue. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Takata recall I received a air bag recall notice from bmw in june 2015 and another recall notice in september 2016.over a year + I have been calling south bay bmw in torrance ca. And they keep on telling me they do not have the parts yet. Can you please help me..
My headlights are so dim at night it is impossible to see without high beams on at all times. The fog lights are brighter than my new headlight bulbs. Only solution seems to replace the whole assembly but after researching this seems to be an ongoing issue with bmw so why should I have to spend over 1500.00 when they should have to replace them with a recall.
Takata recall. This complaint is due to the slow response of nalley bmw in decatur georgia to replace my airbag. I received my recall letter and immediately called the bmw dealer on sept 7th. I was told that parts were ordered and I would be called when they arrived. By sept 16th I had heard nothing and called again. Nalley said they had no record of my having ordered parts. I was transferred to the parts department where no one answered the phone. So I called bmw national customer relations. They said they would contact the dealer and have them get in touch with me directly. Nothing happened, so today visited the dealer personally to get the parts ordered. I was told it would take an additional two weeks to receive parts. This is unacceptible. My recall letter from bmw clearly states "we have the necessary parts to complete this recall," "please contact your authorized bmw center immediately to schedule an appointment to have this important free recall performed as soon as possible," and "...metal fragments striking the driver or other passengers potentially resulting in serious injury or death." bmw has built cars with shrapnel grenades instead of airbags and now they don't care about fixing it. Bmw should not e allowed to sell another vehicle in the us until they have completed all of these critical recalls.
Compare the 2004 BMW 3 Series
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Questions about the 2004 BMW 3 Series
Is the 2004 BMW 3 Series reliable?
Owners have filed 77 complaints about the 2004 BMW 3 Series, 2.1 times a typical 3 Series model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2004 BMW 3 Series year score?
The 2004 BMW 3 Series scores 48 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 3 Series: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 BMW 3 Series?
Lights, with 42 complaints, typically around 89,000 miles. Next is airbags (15).
How many recalls does the 2004 BMW 3 Series have?
No recalls on record.
What year does the BMW 3 Series have the most lights problems?
The BMW 3 Series model years with the most lights complaints are 2004 (42 complaints) and 2003 (23 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2004 BMW 3 Series get?
Official estimates for the 2004 BMW 3 Series range from 19 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 16-19 city and 24-28 highway.
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