2004 BMW 3 SERIES — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
93
Owner Complaints
0
Recalls
3
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2004 BMW 3 SERIES
The 2004 BMW 3 SERIES has received a total of 93 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 3 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Exterior Lighting (41 complaints), Air Bags (15 complaints), and Electrical System (12 complaints).
Recalls for the 2004 BMW 3 SERIES
There are no recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2004 BMW 3 SERIES. No Active Recalls
Owner Complaints for the 2004 BMW 3 SERIES
93 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 BMW 3 SERIES. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 41 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 12 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkages | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingheadlights | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingtail Lights | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Electric | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipabs Warning Light | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structureframe And Members | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structuremotorcyclekickstandcenter Stand | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevices | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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.
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 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER:15V318 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 14V428
Safety Rating for the 2004 BMW 3 SERIES
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2004 BMW 3 SERIES in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2004 BMW 3 SERIES
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 3 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2004 BMW 3 SERIES. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
SIB-13-06-10 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
BMW: A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON. THE ENGINE WILL ONLY OPERATE TO 1500 RPMS AND LACKS POWER. THERE IS A SOFTWARE APPLICATION ERROR. *RM
SIB-51-19-07 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BMW VEHICLES: DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOB OR CENTRAL LOCKING BUTTON. *PE UPDATED1/4/10. *PE UPDATED 5/24/10. *PE
SIB-12-07-06 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
BMW: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP ILLUMINATED-FC 23F4 MAP THERMOSTAT. IN SOME VEHICLES HAVE INSUFFICIENT HEAT. E90, E91 (3 SERIES), E60, E61 (5 SERIES) 3/06 AND E83 (X3 SERIES) 9/08. *PE
NHTSA Investigations for the 2004 BMW 3 SERIES
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW 3 SERIES
- 1999 BMW 3 SERIES — 6 complaints
- 2000 BMW 3 SERIES — 111 complaints
- 2001 BMW 3 SERIES — 49 complaints
- 2002 BMW 3 SERIES — 40 complaints
- 2003 BMW 3 SERIES — 95 complaints
- 2004 BMW 3 SERIES (current)
- 2005 BMW 3 SERIES — 29 complaints
- 2006 BMW 3 SERIES — 288 complaints
- 2007 BMW 3 SERIES — 190 complaints
- 2008 BMW 3 SERIES — 93 complaints
- 2009 BMW 3 SERIES — 74 complaints