2004 BMW 7 SERIES — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
35
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
3
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2004 BMW 7 SERIES
The 2004 BMW 7 SERIES has received a total of 35 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER, SEATS. 3 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Cooling (3 complaints), Seats (3 complaints), and Service Brakes Hydraulic (3 complaints).
Recalls for the 2004 BMW 7 SERIES
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2004 BMW 7 SERIES, potentially affecting up to 224,299 vehicles.
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 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 04V379000 — SEATS
| 3,940 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (ODS) MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RELIABLY DETERMINE IF THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS OCCUPIED.
Consequence: IN CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG, HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONER, AND KNEE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SOFTWARE FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 13, 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 →Owner Complaints for the 2004 BMW 7 SERIES
35 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 BMW 7 SERIES. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagsfrontal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemhorn | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipmentelectrical | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipmentelectricalnavigational Systemglobal Positioning System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingheadlights | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncontrol Module Tcmpcmtecm | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Traintransfer Case 4 Wheel Drive | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicpower Assistvacuum | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodybumpers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tirespressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
I HAVE BEEN GETTING THIS ERROR IN MY IDRIVE SYSTEM: "FAULT IN PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. FASTEN AND CONTINUE TO WEAR BELTS. PLEASE CONTACT THE NEAREST BMW CENTER."
THE REAR SIDE DOOR UNEXPECTEDLY OPEN WHILE DRIVING, A WEEK LATER THE OTHER SIDE DID THE SAME THING THE FOR OPEN THEN IT CLOSED BY ITS SELF. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A HIGHWSY.
I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY GOT HARD AND WENT TO THE FLOOR. BRAKES WOULD BE SOFT INITIALLY AND AS PRESSURE WAS CONTINUED WOULD GET HARD AND REQUIRED SUSTAINED INTENSE EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY BMW INVOLVING THE BOOSTER AND THEY CLAIM TO HAVE INSPECTED VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM IN 2011 AND IT DID NOT REQUIRE BEING FIXED. THIS WAS BEFORE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER. THEY NOW REFUSE TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT OBVIOUSLY HAS NOT BEEN APPROPRIATELY ADDRESSED BY BMW. SADLY BMW PRIDES ITSELF IN GOOD BRAKES BUT REFUSES TO ADEQUATELY ADDRESS A PROBLEM THEY IDENTIFIED. IT WAS LISTED BY BMW AS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE ON THEIR WEBSITE. 10V44660000 THEY SAY IT HAS ALREADY BEEN FIXED. IT HAS NOT AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BECAUSE OF THE SERIOUS SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. *TR
I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY GOT HARD AND WENT TO THE FLOOR. BRAKES WOULD BE SOFT INITIALLY AND AS PRESSURE WAS CONTINUED WOULD GET HARD AND REQUIRED SUSTAINED INTENSE EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY BMW INVOLVING THE BOOSTER AND THEY CLAIM TO HAVE INSPECTED VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM IN 2011 AND IT DID NOT REQUIRE BEING FIXED. THIS WAS BEFORE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER. THEY NOW REFUSE TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT OBVIOUSLY HAS NOT BEEN APPROPRIATELY ADDRESSED BY BMW. SADLY BMW PRIDES ITSELF IN GOOD BRAKES BUT REFUSES TO ADEQUATELY ADDRESS A PROBLEM THEY IDENTIFIED. IT WAS LISTED BY BMW AS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE ON THEIR WEBSITE. 10V44660000 THEY SAY IT HAS ALREADY BEEN FIXED. IT HAS NOT AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BECAUSE OF THE SERIOUS SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. *TR
VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND I HAVE TO ADD MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAD A RECALL CAMPAIGN NOVEMBER 2010 NO. 10V-446: BRAKE VACUUM PUMP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FIELDS BMW AND THEY PROVIDED ME WITH DOCUMENTATION STATING; "11/30/2010 0034910100 CK BRAKE BOOSTER LINE N62. B34, 04, 10". I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE, AND I COULD PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC, AND THE EXPENSES FOR THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO BE REPLACED. I HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO A BMW TECH FOR A FULL DIAGNOSTIC, AND HE INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE ABOVE, AND IT'S DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE CAR. YOUR ASSISTANCE REGARDING THIS MATTER WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
Safety Rating for the 2004 BMW 7 SERIES
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2004 BMW 7 SERIES in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2004 BMW 7 SERIES
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 3 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2004 BMW 7 SERIES. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
B61-17-12 — INTERIOR LIGHTING
BMW: WIPERS LIGHTS AND FRONT POWER WINDOWS ARE INOPERATIVE. THIS SITUATION MAY START AND LEAD TO A PERMANENT FAULT. ALSO INCLUDED MODEL F07 (5 SERIES GRAN TURISMO) MODEL YEARS UP TO MARCH 2012. *JS
SIB-17-03-09 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BMW VEHICLES: N63 TURBOCHARGER AUXILIARY WATER PUMP FAULTS. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP IS ILLUMINATED WITH THE FOLLOWING FAULT CODES STORED IN THE DME CONTROL MODULE. TURBOCHARGER COOLANT PUMP, CONTROL LINE, ELECTRIC, 0X1016-LINE INTERRUPTION. AN INTERNAL COMPONENT FAULT OF THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP WILL CAUSE IT TO NOT POWER UP...
610304 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PROGRAM CONTROL UNITS. SERVICE ACTION. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 2004 BMW 7 SERIES
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW 7 SERIES
- 1999 BMW 7 SERIES — 4 complaints
- 2000 BMW 7 SERIES — 2 complaints
- 2001 BMW 7 SERIES — 2 complaints
- 2002 BMW 7 SERIES — 5 complaints
- 2003 BMW 7 SERIES — 11 complaints
- 2004 BMW 7 SERIES (current)
- 2005 BMW 7 SERIES — 7 complaints
- 2006 BMW 7 SERIES — 42 complaints
- 2007 BMW 7 SERIES — 18 complaints
- 2008 BMW 7 SERIES — 16 complaints
- 2009 BMW 7 SERIES — 17 complaints