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2004 BMW 5 Series problems

The most common problem on the 2004 BMW 5 Series is airbags, typically around 81,000 miles. It has 4.3 times the complaints of a typical 5 Series model year.

Year to avoid4.3x the typical complaints
Year score
13/100
Owner complaints
64
Recalls
6
Service bulletins
51
Worst area
Airbags

The worst 2004 BMW 5 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.

  • Airbags
    29
  • Seats
    11
  • Electrical
    9
  • Seat belts
    7
  • Lights
    6
  • Transmission
    6
  • Steering
    5
  • Brakes
    3
  • Tires
    3
  • Engine
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Locks
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 BMW 5 Series

Airbag light 12Headlights 6

Recalls 6

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cablesReported March 26, 2012 · 367,682 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 battery cable may have been incorrectly attached to the trunk floor panel, which can lead to a loosening of the bolt connection. As it loosens, an increase in electrical resistance at this cable connection is possible and could cause the cable connection to overheat.
Risk
Overheating could lead to a fire, even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
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 relations and services at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 12V126000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuumReported October 1, 2010 · 198,352 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
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.

Recall number 10V446000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontalReported August 5, 2008 · 200,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 passenger's entry and exit, small cracks have developed in the mat. If this occurs, the front passenger air bags, with the exception of the head protection system, will be deactivated and the air bag warning lamp as well as the passenger air bag "on-off" lamp will be illuminated.
Risk
In this situation the front passenger air bags will not deploy even if a sufficiently severe accident would occur and occupant protection provided by the system would not be possible.
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 the warranty on these vehicles to 10 years from first registration without any mileage limit. Owners may contact bmw at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 08V384000 · Recall details

Seats: front assembly: seat heater/coolerReported December 6, 2004 · 17,905 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
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.

Recall number 04V575000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)Reported July 14, 2004 · 4,102 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 8 and 12 cylinder engines, the digital engine management control (emc) units were not produced according to specifications.
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.
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.

Recall number 04V344000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasolineReported June 23, 2004 · 7,532 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
In the event of a severe frontal crash, the quick-release coupling could separate causing fuel leakage. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
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.

Recall number 04V303000 · Recall details

See all 6 recalls for the 2004 BMW 5 Series

Defect investigations

Bmw airbag light illuminationOpened January 4, 2008, closed December 31, 2008

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/ 7 series, my 06/ x5, and my04-06/ 5-series with comfort seats.the average frequency of failures among the extended warranty groups was less than 1/7th of the recall vehicle groups.please see bmw's 08v‑384 recall notification for further detailsdepending on seat configuration and vehicle geometry, the occupant detection mat can fatigue during use depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger's entry and exit.specifically, over time, micro-cracks could develop in the side flanks of the mat causing a broken circuit.a brokencircuit can lead to the deactivation of the passenger air bag and the illumination of both the air bag warning light and the passenger air bag light.

EA08001

Technical service bulletins for the 2004 BMW 5 Series 51

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 51 bulletins for the 2004 BMW 5 Series

What 2004 BMW 5 Series owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 14, 2019 · Airbags, Seat belts · 81,000 miles · IN

Passenger side seat belt and airbag light stays on.

Filed Sep 21, 2018 · Airbags, Seat belts · 175,000 miles · PA

Passenger seat/airbag warning malfunction. This warning has been on since I purchased vehicle. It is obviously the common seat mat sensor failure. And it would appear that either my VIN isn't on the previous recall or it has expired for my year and model. But my wife sits in that seat and if we have an accident and her airbags do not deploy whose fault will that be?

Filed Jan 15, 2018 · Electrical · 147,000 miles · VA

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 then smell and smoke start to come out the burnt mark. We turned it off both sides and open the window - now our conclusion is the heating element caused that burn in the seat.

Filed Apr 8, 2017 · Lights · 164,000 miles · FL

Wire insulation deterioration causing short, potential fire hazard, 5 separate lighting components all wiring insulation severely deteriorated causing short circuiting and inoperable headlights. Bare copper wires making contact I have an extensive history in electronics and firefighting. This issue was found while changing a bulb. This is unacceptable and from what I have read the manufacturer should be ashamed for using inferior materials that could cause a fire (https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2132684-headlight-wire-jackets-just-flake-off)

Filed Jan 16, 2017 · Electrical, Lights · 101,000 miles · TX

Wire rot deterioration at the headlight assembly. Concern electrical fire due to bare exposed wires. Notified the dealer and manufacture without resolution. Personally had to pay over $500 to he dealership just to wrapped with electrical tape. After 3 months, currently experiencing high beam failure (hid adoptive passenger side) which the dealer to replacement cost of $2599.

Filed Jan 12, 2015 · Airbags · 92,000 miles · AL · crash · 1 injury

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. I have had to have major surgery on my neck, still have problems and may need more surgery. My neck will not be the same and always in pain. I have loud ringing in my ears that is permanent. I have headaches with sinus problems. I believe I would have been fine with my seat belt on. I feel like the airbags should have not deployed under these conditions. I now suffer from depression, can't work doing what I have done for over 20 years now and anything else very long with out being in pain in my neck. I am very upset over this.

Filed Aug 29, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · 85,000 miles · FL

Bmw recalled 2004 bmw 525i and others for the seat mat sensor. I had called them (2012-13) and they told me that my vehicle (based on VIN) wasn't part of the recall. I informed them that my vehicle's mat sensor was also defective and should be replaced by them. They, bmw USA told me that mine was not defective. I still cant understand if the rest are defective, how come mine is considered not defective when its inoperative and same problem as thousands of other 2004 525i.

Filed Jul 18, 2014 · Airbags · 110,000 miles · TX

Deactivation of the passenger air bag and the illumination of both the air bag warning light and the passenger air bag light.

Filed Mar 19, 2014 · Airbags, Seat belts · 143,000 miles · MD

The following message came on the screen of the idrive of the car when my 76 year old mother was placed in the passenger seat after returning to the parking lot after her doctor visit: "passenger restraint system malfunction". It has been on since.

Filed Aug 30, 2013 · Airbags · 86,000 miles · TX

In march passenger side seat belt air bag light turn on for no reason. I have searched on the internet and come to know that there was a recall on this issue from bmw for 2004 525i series. I call local dealership bmw of plano texas and provide them my VIN number and other information and they said it is not covered. Even though it is noted on the federal safety agency site that 100k or 10 yrs this recall is covered. Not sure what can I do as this is real serious issue where air bag will not be enabled even if a passenger sit in the seat

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Questions about the 2004 BMW 5 Series

Is the 2004 BMW 5 Series reliable?

Owners have filed 64 complaints about the 2004 BMW 5 Series, 4.3 times a typical 5 Series model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2004 BMW 5 Series year score?

The 2004 BMW 5 Series scores 13 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 5 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 5 Series?

Airbags, with 29 complaints, typically around 81,000 miles. Next is seats (11).

How many recalls does the 2004 BMW 5 Series have?

6 recalls, covering electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic and air bags.

Was there a recall on the 2004 BMW 5 Series airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 08V384000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the BMW 5 Series have bad airbags?

The BMW 5 Series model years with the most airbags complaints are 2006 (36 complaints), 2004 (29 complaints) and 2005 (10 complaints).

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