2004 Model Year

BMW 5 Series

NHTSA Complaints & Reliability Data

Compare
Complaints
319
Recalls
4
Crashes
7
Severe
74

Active Recalls

Manufacturer safety recalls

19E058000 Aug 2019

Other

No consequence data available

04V575000 Dec 2004

Other

No consequence data available

04V344000 Jul 2004

Other

No consequence data available

04V303000 Jun 2004

Other

No consequence data available

Recent Complaints

Latest owner reports

Seats Fire
Oct 2025

The heated seats start fires and BMW refuses to acknowledge that my car should've been a part of the NHTSA Recall 04V-575. The dealership denies any i...

Electrical System
May 2024

BATTERY CABLE - INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR

Electrical System Crash
Nov 2023

Unrepaired Recalls (1) 12V-126:79 Safety: Battery Cable - Insulated Bulkhead Connector Mar 23, 2012 OEM Code 12V-126:79 All the dealerships i contacte...

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Nov 2021

NEARLY EVERY BMW SUFFERS FROM FAILED WIRING IN THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS A RECALLED OINT OF FAILURE AS IT INVOLVES EVERYBODY ON THE...

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS
Sep 2021

About three years ago, we filed a complaint with BMW North America. A problem with the front passenger seat. There was smoke As a result, a hole bur...

Fuel System
Apr 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR TWO HOURS THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR OF FUEL DETECTED. THE VEHI...

Steering Crash
Mar 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE FRONT PASSENG...

Engine
Oct 2020

SMELL BURNING OR EXHAUSTE FUME IN THE CABIN DURING THE FIRST TWO MILES OF DRIVING THE CAR!

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Apr 2020

MY CAR HAS THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING EVERYTIME I START MY CAR. THE AIR BAG RECALL IS BY TAKATA IS FOR THE 2003 545I MODEL. MY CAR WAS MAN...

Seats
Feb 2020

HEATED SEATING IS BURNING MY LEG PASSENGER SIDE. EVEN ON LOW.

VS

Vehicle Safety Research Team

Automotive Data Analysts

Independent researchers analyzing NHTSA data to help consumers make informed vehicle decisions.

Data updated: March 5, 2026

Summary

The 2004 BMW 5 Series has 319 complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most commonly reported issue is Air Bags. 7 crash-related incidents have been reported.

Complaint Trend