2004 BMW 5 SERIES — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
89
Owner Complaints
8
Recalls
2
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2004 BMW 5 SERIES
The 2004 BMW 5 SERIES has received a total of 89 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 8 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES. 2 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (24 complaints), Electrical System (8 complaints), and Seat Belts (7 complaints).
Recalls for the 2004 BMW 5 SERIES
NHTSA has recorded 8 recalls for the 2004 BMW 5 SERIES, potentially affecting up to 796,772 vehicles.
Recall 19E058000 — STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
| 614 vehicles affected
Defect: ZF Group North America Operations (ZF) is recalling certain Lemförder Steering Center Rods sold as aftermarket parts for 1996-2004 BMW 5-Series (E39) vehicles. The steering center rods may have an insufficient ball pin pull force that may allow the rods to detach from the steering knuckle.
Consequence: If the steering rod detaches from the steerable wheel knuckle, it can cause sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: ZF has notified the parts distributors, instructing them to inform the end customer. ZF will reimburse them for the affected parts. The recall began August 28, 2019.
View full details →Recall 12E029000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
| 585 vehicles affected
Defect: This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the...
Consequence: This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.
Remedy: Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
View full details →Recall 12V126000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
| 367,682 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 10V446000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
| 198,352 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 08V384000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
| 200,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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,...
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 04V575000 — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
| 17,905 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 04V344000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
| 4,102 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8 AND 12 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL (EMC) UNITS WERE NOT PRODUCED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 04V303000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
| 7,532 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2004 BMW 5 SERIES
89 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 BMW 5 SERIES. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 24 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 8 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 7 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Air Bagsfrontal | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seatsfront Assemblyseat Heatercooler | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingheadlights | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagssensoroccupant Classification | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemwiring | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkages | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steeringelectric Power Assist System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodytrunk Lid | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON.
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON.
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?
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?
Safety Rating for the 2004 BMW 5 SERIES
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2004 BMW 5 SERIES in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2004 BMW 5 SERIES
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 2 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2004 BMW 5 SERIES. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
1220105 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LOSS OF POWER WHILE DECELERATING AND TURNING OR COMING TO A STOP. *EH BMW 5 SERIES, 6 SERIES, 7 SERIES PRODUCED BETWEEN 09/03 TO 8/04. *TT
07122004 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
RETAIL DELIVERY STOP ON 2004 MY 8 & 12 CYLINDER VEHICLES PRODUCED MAY 2004 THROUGH JULY 2004. DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ERROR, THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE MAIL FAIL. THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY OR FAIL TO START AT ALL. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 2004 BMW 5 SERIES
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW 5 SERIES
- 1999 BMW 5 SERIES — 2 complaints
- 2000 BMW 5 SERIES — 3 complaints
- 2001 BMW 5 SERIES — 4 complaints
- 2002 BMW 5 SERIES — 10 complaints
- 2003 BMW 5 SERIES — 19 complaints
- 2004 BMW 5 SERIES (current)
- 2005 BMW 5 SERIES — 26 complaints
- 2006 BMW 5 SERIES — 125 complaints
- 2007 BMW 5 SERIES — 22 complaints
- 2008 BMW 5 SERIES — 140 complaints
- 2009 BMW 5 SERIES — 12 complaints