Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
10–25K
125–50K
550–75K
1275–100K
12100–150K
7150K+
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
What owners actually said
44 reports
88,000 miles · May 21, 2012
Air BagsSeat Belts
THERE IS A BMW SERVICE BULLETIN SI B 65 75 06 WHERE THEY SAY THEY WILL FIX AN AIRBAG AND SEATBELT ISSUE ON E60, E61 (5 SERIES) VEHICLES PRODUCED UP TO 11/2005. THE BULLETIN SAYS IT IS DUE TO OC3 SEAT MAT FAULT. DUE TO PARTS DEFECT THEY ALSO COVER IT WITH AN ADDITIONAL 10 YEAR WARRANTY ACCORDING TO THE BULLETIN. MY BMW 5 SERIES…
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THERE IS A BMW SERVICE BULLETIN SI B 65 75 06 WHERE THEY SAY THEY WILL FIX AN AIRBAG AND SEATBELT ISSUE ON E60, E61 (5 SERIES) VEHICLES PRODUCED UP TO 11/2005. THE BULLETIN SAYS IT IS DUE TO OC3 SEAT MAT FAULT. DUE TO PARTS DEFECT THEY ALSO COVER IT WITH AN ADDITIONAL 10 YEAR WARRANTY ACCORDING TO THE BULLETIN. MY BMW 5 SERIES WAS MANUFACTURED IN 08/04 AND CURRENTLY HAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE OUTLINED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. HE SAID THAT I HAVE MICRO CRACKS IN MY OC3 SEAT MAT AND THATS WHY MY AIRBAGS ARE NOW OFF ALL THE TIME WHEN I DRIVE. I CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE ANY RUNNING AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEM DETECTS MICRO CRACKS IN MY OC3 SEAT MAT AND DISENGAGES THE AIRBAGS BECAUSE IT DETECTS THAT SOMEONE IS NOT SITTING IN THE SEAT. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE ANYMORE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND SINCE IT DISPLAYS IT ON THE MAIN SCREEN AT ALL TIMES I CANNOT EVEN SELL THE VEHICLE SINCE NO ONE WOULD WANT ONE WITHOUT AIRBAGS THAT WORK. BMW SAYS THEY WILL CORRECT THIS ISSUE ON A CUSTOMER COMPLAIN BASIS IN THE RECALL. WHEN I LET BMW DEALERSHIP KNOW ABOUT MY ISSUE THEY SAY THAT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT SHOW UP ON THE COMPUTER AND BMW IS REFUSING TO FIX THE ISSUE. I HAVE A 5 SERIES AS DESCRIBED IN THEIR BULLETIN. I AM WITHIN THE GUIDELINES ISSUED ON SI B65 75 06 DATED FEBRUARY 2009. FROM SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET THERE ARE OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH BMW 545'S WHO HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE RECTIFIED BY BMW. IT IS THE SAME PART AND SAME ISSUE (MICRO CRACKS) THEY NEED TO COVER THIS SO I HAVE WORKING AIRBAGS. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10459188
Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2012
Steering
THE BATTERY DIED SO I GOT A NEW ONE. AFTER REINSTALLING IT, ALL THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. THE ACTIVE STEERING CAME ON ALSO. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR OFF THE LOT, I REALIZED MY STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT BUT I WAS GOING STRAIGHT. NOW I CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX THIS ISSUE. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10453642
101,565 miles · Jan 19, 2012
Power Train
ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AFTER THE STALL. LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKE POWER ASSIST WHEN VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE STALLS VERY PERIODICALLY AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF OPERATION. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER 3 TIMES AND WERE UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY AND …
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ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AFTER THE STALL. LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKE POWER ASSIST WHEN VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE STALLS VERY PERIODICALLY AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF OPERATION. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER 3 TIMES AND WERE UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL WIRING TO FIX PROBLEM BUT PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. ALSO A BRAND NEW ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED AND STILL SAME PROBLEMS AROSE. MESSAGE CENTER WOULD DISPLAY "TRANSMISSION FAULT" DRIVE MODERATELY. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10444481
90,000 miles · Sep 14, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 540 FIVE I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). AFTER REPAIRS, OIL CONTINUED TO LEAK INTO THE BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 540 FIVE I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). AFTER REPAIRS, OIL CONTINUED TO LEAK INTO THE BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 98,000.
NHTSA ODI #10425430
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.
2004 BMW 545I Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year