SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

2004 BMW 545I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
44Owner complaints

Model-year median: 61

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
44
200478
2005
Compare all 545I years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Air Bags
18Electrical System
12Engine
10Power Train
8Seat Belts
5
All reported categories
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
4Steering
4Exterior Lighting
3Seats
3Service Brakes
3Engine And Engine Cooling
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Unknown Or Other
2Vehicle Speed Control
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

38 reports with mileage · 6 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 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports3 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

12 reports
Clear category filter
156,215 miles · Nov 26, 2012
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

TRANSMISSION JERKS AND SLIPS. WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR. THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT IF THIS OCCURRED DURING WET OR ICY ROAD CONDITIONS DUE TO BREAKING TRACTION FROM WHEELS AND ROAD SURFACE. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AND AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THOUSANDS OF 5 SERIES BMW'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE RE…

Read full complaint

TRANSMISSION JERKS AND SLIPS. WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR. THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT IF THIS OCCURRED DURING WET OR ICY ROAD CONDITIONS DUE TO BREAKING TRACTION FROM WHEELS AND ROAD SURFACE. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AND AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THOUSANDS OF 5 SERIES BMW'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE RESULT IS A DEFECTIVE MECHATRONICS WHICH COSTS BETWEEN $5000-$8000 TO FIX AND NOT COVERED BY BMW OR UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486122

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering

ON BMW WITH THE N62 4.4L V8 ENGINE THERE'S AN OIL LEAK ON THE ALTERNATOR BRACKET THAT LEAKS FOR A WHILE UNTIL IT IS INSPECTED AND FOUND IT LEAKS OIL ON THE STEERING COMPONENTS I THINK CAUSING THE STEERING COMPONENTS TO DETERIORATE AFTER A WHILE CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. THE OIL LEAK EVENTUALLY HAPPENS TO ALL N62 4.4L V8 ENGINES. …

Read full complaint

ON BMW WITH THE N62 4.4L V8 ENGINE THERE'S AN OIL LEAK ON THE ALTERNATOR BRACKET THAT LEAKS FOR A WHILE UNTIL IT IS INSPECTED AND FOUND IT LEAKS OIL ON THE STEERING COMPONENTS I THINK CAUSING THE STEERING COMPONENTS TO DETERIORATE AFTER A WHILE CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. THE OIL LEAK EVENTUALLY HAPPENS TO ALL N62 4.4L V8 ENGINES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475298

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.