Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
60–25K
1625–50K
2950–75K
2375–100K
23100–150K
14150K+
111 reports with mileage · 18 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seats. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports21 fire reports9 injury reports
What owners actually said
129 reports
100 miles · Jul 13, 2006
Power Train
I HAVE A 2004 525I BMW THAT PERIODICALLY HAS A TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE WHEN DRIVING FROM A STOP OR MOVING INTO 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. THE CAR JUMPS FORWARD AND IF NOT CAREFUL, I COULD ACCIDENTALLY HIT SOMETHING THAT IS NOT IN MY CONTROL. CONCORD BMW HAS TRIED TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM AND HAS ONLY DONE SO ONCE. THEY SAID IT WAS A SOFT…
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I HAVE A 2004 525I BMW THAT PERIODICALLY HAS A TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE WHEN DRIVING FROM A STOP OR MOVING INTO 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. THE CAR JUMPS FORWARD AND IF NOT CAREFUL, I COULD ACCIDENTALLY HIT SOMETHING THAT IS NOT IN MY CONTROL. CONCORD BMW HAS TRIED TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM AND HAS ONLY DONE SO ONCE. THEY SAID IT WAS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX. RECENTLY, I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM AND NOW THEY TELL ME SINCE IT CAN NOT BE RECREATED THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10162330
21,000 miles · Apr 24, 2006
Steering
ON APRIL 16, 2006, WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 BMW 645CI ON A HIGHWAY WITH ONLY MY 13-YEAR-OLD SON WITH ME, THE ASSISTED STEERING, WHICH WORKS THE REAR WHEELS, FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR ANY EVENT HAVING OCCURRED. I WAS ABLE TO BRING IT TO A STOP WITHOUT A COLLISION, FORTUNATELY, ALTHOUGH THE LOSS OF CONTROL WAS TERRIFYING AND WE C…
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ON APRIL 16, 2006, WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 BMW 645CI ON A HIGHWAY WITH ONLY MY 13-YEAR-OLD SON WITH ME, THE ASSISTED STEERING, WHICH WORKS THE REAR WHEELS, FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR ANY EVENT HAVING OCCURRED. I WAS ABLE TO BRING IT TO A STOP WITHOUT A COLLISION, FORTUNATELY, ALTHOUGH THE LOSS OF CONTROL WAS TERRIFYING AND WE CAME CLOSE TWICE TO HITTING OTHER CARS. THE VEHICLE WAS ULTIMATELY FLAT-BEDDED TO MY DEALERS (GREENWICH BMW) SERVICE FACILITY IN PORT CHESTER, NY. AFTER TWO DAYS OF TELLING ME THAT THEY HAD FOUND NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER ADVISED THAT IT WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY FOUND SIGN OF IMPACT TO ANOTHER, UNRELATED PART ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10155971
31,000 miles · Feb 28, 2006
Visibility
I HAVE NOW REPLACED 4 WINDSHIELDS ON MY CAR WITHIN THE LAST 2 YEARS. THIS IS ON THE SAME ROAD THAT I HAVE COMMUTED ON FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS. THE WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENTS STARTED WITH THE PURCHASE OF THIS CAR. 3 PREVIOUS CARS DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10151380
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2006
Electrical SystemStructureVisibility
BOTH ELECTRIC WINDOWS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE MOTORS DIED WITHIN WEEKS OF EACH OTHER. I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS PROPERLY OR PUT THE WINDOWS DOWN. ALSO I ONLY HAVE 10000 MILES ON MY MINI AND MY TALE PIPE RATTLES LIKE A '56 CHEVY. THE LIGHT ON PASSENGER VISOR DOES NOT WORK. THE SILVER IS PEELING OFF THE GEAR SHIFT. I L…
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BOTH ELECTRIC WINDOWS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE MOTORS DIED WITHIN WEEKS OF EACH OTHER. I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS PROPERLY OR PUT THE WINDOWS DOWN. ALSO I ONLY HAVE 10000 MILES ON MY MINI AND MY TALE PIPE RATTLES LIKE A '56 CHEVY. THE LIGHT ON PASSENGER VISOR DOES NOT WORK. THE SILVER IS PEELING OFF THE GEAR SHIFT. I LOVE MY CAR HATE THE LITTLE STUFF THAT KEEPS GOING WRONG. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10147361
Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2005
Power Train
I HAVE A 2004 BMW 545I WHICH HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A "TRANSMISSION SLIP" OVER THE PAST YEAR. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY BMW AND SOMETHING THAT IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT ON MY VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY BMW EMPLOYEES "OFF THE RECORD" THAT MY CAR HAS A PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE BOUGHT BACK BY BMW AND REPLACED. I AM CURRENTLY…
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I HAVE A 2004 BMW 545I WHICH HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A "TRANSMISSION SLIP" OVER THE PAST YEAR. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY BMW AND SOMETHING THAT IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT ON MY VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY BMW EMPLOYEES "OFF THE RECORD" THAT MY CAR HAS A PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE BOUGHT BACK BY BMW AND REPLACED. I AM CURRENTLY DEALING WITH BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AND HAVE SENT THEM A COMPLAINT AS I HAVE HAD MY CAR SERVICED APPROXIMATELY 5-6 TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NO SOLUTION. I WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA AS WELL BECAUSE IT IS APPARENT THAT BMW IS TRYING TO COVER UP A LARGE AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLES. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN 2 ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE AND I FEEL FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10145025
26,000 miles · Oct 27, 2005
Tires
DUNLOP TIRES WEAR OUT PREMATURELY ON THE INNER TREAD. IF UNDETECTED BLOW-OUT CAN RESULT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TWO SETS OF TIRES IN LESS THAN 40,000 MILES;. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10140922
20,687 miles · Oct 14, 2005
Tires
AT ABOUT 50 MPH CONSUMER HAD A TIRE BLOWN INDICATION, UPON CLOSER EXAMINATION, HE DISCOVERED ALL FOUR TIRES WERE WORN TO THE CORD/BELTS ON THE INSIDE LEFT REAR. *TS *JB
NHTSA ODI #10139972
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2005
Air Bags
MY BMW 530 (2004) HAS BACK SEAT AIRBAGS. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IN THE EVENT I HAVE AN INFANT IN THE BACK, THE AIR BAGS MUST BE DEACTIVATED WHILE SUBMITTING THIS INFORMATION TO YOU AGENCY. AT PRESENT I HAVE A NEW BORN BABY SO I NEED YOUR AUTHORIZATION SO THEY CAN PROCEED WITH THE DEACTIVATION ASAP. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO D…
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MY BMW 530 (2004) HAS BACK SEAT AIRBAGS. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IN THE EVENT I HAVE AN INFANT IN THE BACK, THE AIR BAGS MUST BE DEACTIVATED WHILE SUBMITTING THIS INFORMATION TO YOU AGENCY. AT PRESENT I HAVE A NEW BORN BABY SO I NEED YOUR AUTHORIZATION SO THEY CAN PROCEED WITH THE DEACTIVATION ASAP. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO DO IN ORDER TO PROCEED. CORDIALLY, IVONNE ARROYO. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10137058
50,500 miles · Sep 16, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury
DT: THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH 2004 BMW 325I. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE IMPACT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED AND FELL INTO PIECES. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT YET REPORTED THE AIR BAG FAILURE TO TH…
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DT: THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH 2004 BMW 325I. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE IMPACT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED AND FELL INTO PIECES. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT YET REPORTED THE AIR BAG FAILURE TO THE MANUFACTURER. THERE WAS ONE INJURY. A POLICE REPORT AND PICTURES WERE TAKEN. THE CONSUMER HAS THE PICTURES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THE SPEED WAS 25 MPH. MS. PACKARD: THE SUMMARY REPORT CREATED BY THE VEHICLE SAFETY HOT LINE DOES NOT CLEARLY IDENTIFY YOUR VEHICLE. PLEASE REVIEW THE INFORMATION ON THE VEHICLE OWNER'S QUESTIONNAIRE AND VERIFY THAT YOUR VEHICLE IS A 2004 BMW 530I. ALSO, PLEASE PROVIDE A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT AND PHOTOGRAPHS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10136792
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
EA08001 · BMW Airbag Light Illumination
Opened Jan 4, 2008 · Closed Dec 31, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Air Bags
BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.
Air Bags:frontal
BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.
2004 BMW 530I Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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