2004 BMW M3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
36
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
1
Service Bulletin
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2004 BMW M3
The 2004 BMW M3 has received a total of 36 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (8 complaints), Power Train (4 complaints), and Visibility (4 complaints).
Recalls for the 2004 BMW M3
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2004 BMW M3, potentially affecting up to 1,286,190 vehicles.
Recall 20V018000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 292,948 vehicles affected
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used...
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full details →Recall 15V318000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 419,235 vehicles affected
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that...
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW...
View full details →Recall 14V428000 — AIR BAGS
| 574,007 vehicles affected
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address...
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014....
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2004 BMW M3
36 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 BMW M3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainmanual Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevices | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesexterior | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheelsrim | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
Passenger side rear sub-frame crack observed . Vehicle has never been in any accident or collision. It's a commonly know problem about BMW 3 series made between 1999 to 2006 that happens naturally without cause due to manufacture issue, so I decided to look under my car to look for any cracks as described. I identified at least one crack. After calling BMW USA for assitance, I was instructed to bring the car to have it inspected and confirmed by the BMW dealership in Ontario, CA. Dispite me telling them the location of the crack, they concluded there is no crack and nothing needed to be done. Not satified with their inspection, I went to get a second opinion from an independent machanic/ body shop and they confirmed that there is indeed a crack and took clear pictures to show that. If left untreated, these subframe cracks will spread and the rear of the car can fall off along with the rear axel and rear wheels leading to accidents. The cost of fixing such manufacture issure is also costly, $2500 to over $10000 from the estimates I collected.
WIRING PROBLEM WITH FACTORY HEADLIGHTS. THIS ISSUE CAUSES HEADLIGHTS TO FLICKER AND EVENTUALLY TURN OFF. IT HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND SITTING STILL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TAKATA RECALL -- IT'S BEEN 2 YEARS SINCE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED, BUT THE MANUFACTURER / DEALERSHIP DO NOT SEEM TO BE ABLE TO GET THE PARTS TO REPAIR MY CAR. THIS ESSENTIALLY RENDERS MY CAR UNSAFE, AND IN MANY WAYS, UNUSABLE. I STILL HAVE NOT HEARD ABOUT A DATE BY WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE / REPAIR WILL BE DONE.
TAKADA RECALL: NOTIFIED BY BMW JULY 2015 DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE DEFECTIVE. IN MAY 2016, BMW ADVISED THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN AIR BAG WOULD BEFIXED. SINCE THEN ANOTHER PERSON HAS DIED. CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY AND LENGTH OF TIME WAITING FOR FIX.
Safety Rating for the 2004 BMW M3
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2004 BMW M3 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2004 BMW M3
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 2004 BMW M3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
SI-B12-22-08 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
BMW: AS ORIGINALLY INSTALLED, THE DME PROGRAMMING MAY CAUSE THE OBD DIAGNOSTIC TO ERRONEOUSLY EVALUATE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. MODEL E46 (M3) COUPE AND CONVERTIBLES. *PE
NHTSA Investigations for the 2004 BMW M3
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW M3
- 1999 BMW M3 — 13 complaints
- 2000 BMW M3 — 0 complaints
- 2001 BMW M3 — 20 complaints
- 2002 BMW M3 — 48 complaints
- 2003 BMW M3 — 68 complaints
- 2004 BMW M3 (current)
- 2005 BMW M3 — 12 complaints
- 2006 BMW M3 — 14 complaints
- 2007 BMW M3 — 0 complaints
- 2008 BMW M3 — 102 complaints
- 2009 BMW M3 — 54 complaints