2004 BMW 5 Series: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2004 BMW 5 Series: 6 recalls, 64 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #04V303000 · 2004 · 7,532 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #04V344000 · 2004 · 4,102 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 8 and 12 cylinder engines, the digital engine management control (emc) units were not produced according to specifications.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Seats Vehicle recall #04V575000 · 2004 · 17,905 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #08V384000 · 2008 · 200,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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, will be deactivated and the air bag warning lamp as well as the passenger air bag "on-off" lamp will be illuminated.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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 vehicles to 10 years from first registration without any mileage limit.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #10V446000 · 2010 · 198,352 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on November 24, 2010.
Electrical Vehicle recall #12V126000 · 2012 · 367,682 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 this cable connection is possible and could cause the cable connection to overheat.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Engine & cooling Equipment recall #12E029000 · 2012 · 585 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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,
Steering Equipment recall #19E058000 · 2019 · 614 vehicles
What's wrong: The steering center rods May have an insufficient ball pin pull force that May allow the rods to detach from the steering knuckle.
Why it matters: If the steering rod detaches from the steerable wheel knuckle, it can cause sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 9 mention a fire, 4 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (29): the most common themes are warning light on (13), fails to deploy (4).
- Seats (11): the most common themes are fire / smoke (6), warning light on (2).
- Electrical (9): the most common themes are fire / smoke (4), electrical failure (3), warning light on (2).
- Seat belts (7): the most common themes are warning light on (2).
The 2004 BMW 5 Series has 64 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 18 5 Series model years for complaints (2.7× the average 5 Series year). Complaints peaked in 2011 (12 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 78,625 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (15 complaints, 0 recalls), 2005 (21 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 22 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | Premium |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | Premium |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | Premium |
| 4.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | Premium |
| 4.4 L 8-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | Premium |
| 4.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 17 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2004 BMW 5 Series.
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FAQ
Does the 2004 BMW 5 Series have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 2004 BMW 5 Series, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2004 BMW 5 Series problems?
Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (29), seats (11), electrical (9).
What gas mileage does the 2004 BMW 5 Series get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic (S6)), across 9 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2004 BMW 5 Series repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.