2004 BMW 5 Series: headlights failing or too dim

6 of the 64 complaints about the 2004 BMW 5 Series describe headlights failing or too dim.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 9%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 3 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Headlights failing or too dim by model year

2008
4
2007
1
2006
3
2004
6
2002
1
2001
1

What owners say

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 Dec 8, 2011 · Electrical, Lights · 89,655 miles · GA

Warning notice on "I drive" system that there was an emergency with the lighting system and the car should be stopped immediately. Directional signals no longer worked, emergency flashers were inoperative and headlights not operating properly. Brought car to dealer the next day and the problem was corrected with an update to the "I drive" software leading me to believe that bmw is aware of this very serious safety issue but has chosen to ignore it until owners experience the problem and then the owner has to pay for the update to correct the software glitch. My cost was $320.92.

Filed Oct 13, 2004 · Lights · 10,000 miles · IL

My wife started the car and the headlights and hazard lights began flashing and turn signals did not work. Shut off and restarted the car multiple times with same effect. Drove car to bmw dealer. Dealer technician saw same results. He disconnected battery, restarted car, rebooting the I-drive computer, and could not recreate problem.

Filed May 7, 2004 · CA

Hid lamps are a nuisance to other drivers. Most specifically, they are quite sensitive to changes in vertical angle. When someone with hid lamps is following me on the freeway, the lamps often appear to be flashing, but in reality the vehicle is just pitching forward and back while driving over the road. The change in vertical viewing angle is enough to create a flashing effect that does not occur on standard headlamps. While I accept that these beams are far superior for the driver of that vehicle, the effect on other drivers is detrimental. Is there a net gain or a net loss? I don't know, but neither does anyone else. Thank you.

Filed Apr 9, 2004 · Lights · CA

I want you to know I strongly object to the new high intensity headlights and to vehicles with four headlights. It's hard enough to drive at night without all the additional light polution!