BMW 5-SERIES · model year

2004 BMW 5-SERIES

89 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004BMW5-SERIES carries 89 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 11 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 5-SERIES is air bags with 24 filings, followed by electrical system (8) and seat belts (7). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2004 5-SERIES. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

89
Complaints
1
Crashes
11
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

89 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS24
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
SEAT BELTS7
SEATS7
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL6
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION6
EXTERIOR LIGHTING4
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER4
STEERING4
TIRES3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS2
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM1
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS1
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID1

Recent Complaints

20190114AIR BAGS

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON.

Mileage: 81,000

20190114SEAT BELTS

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON.

Mileage: 81,000

20190114AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON.

Mileage: 81,000

20180921AIR BAGS

PASSENGER SEAT/AIRBAG WARNING MALFUNCTION. THIS WARNING HAS BEEN ON SINCE I PURCHASED VEHICLE. IT IS OBVIOUSLY THE COMMON SEAT MAT SENSOR FAILURE. AND IT WOULD APPEAR THAT EITHER MY VIN ISN'T ON THE PREVIOUS RECALL OR IT HAS EXPIRED FOR MY YEAR AND MODEL. BUT MY WIFE SITS IN THAT SEAT AND IF WE HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND HER AIRBAGS DO NOT DEPLOY WHOSE FAULT WILL THAT BE?

Mileage: 175,000

20180921SEAT BELTS

PASSENGER SEAT/AIRBAG WARNING MALFUNCTION. THIS WARNING HAS BEEN ON SINCE I PURCHASED VEHICLE. IT IS OBVIOUSLY THE COMMON SEAT MAT SENSOR FAILURE. AND IT WOULD APPEAR THAT EITHER MY VIN ISN'T ON THE PREVIOUS RECALL OR IT HAS EXPIRED FOR MY YEAR AND MODEL. BUT MY WIFE SITS IN THAT SEAT AND IF WE HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND HER AIRBAGS DO NOT DEPLOY WHOSE FAULT WILL THAT BE?

Mileage: 175,000

20180921SEATS

PASSENGER SEAT/AIRBAG WARNING MALFUNCTION. THIS WARNING HAS BEEN ON SINCE I PURCHASED VEHICLE. IT IS OBVIOUSLY THE COMMON SEAT MAT SENSOR FAILURE. AND IT WOULD APPEAR THAT EITHER MY VIN ISN'T ON THE PREVIOUS RECALL OR IT HAS EXPIRED FOR MY YEAR AND MODEL. BUT MY WIFE SITS IN THAT SEAT AND IF WE HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND HER AIRBAGS DO NOT DEPLOY WHOSE FAULT WILL THAT BE?

Mileage: 175,000

20180115ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO WE NOTICED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT "A MARK" THAT LOOKS LIKE A BURNT - WE THOUGHT THAT IT WAS JUST A MARK OR SOMEBODY PUT A HOT BOTTLE O CUP ON THE SEAT - BUT THIS MORNING WE TURN THE HEATING IN BOTH SEAT TO WARM UP A LITTLE BIT THEN SMELL AND SMOKE START TO COME OUT THE BURNT MARK. WE TURNED IT OFF BOTH SIDES AND OPEN THE WINDOW - NOW OUR CONCLUSION IS THE HEATING ELEMENT CAUSED THAT BURN IN THE SEAT.

Mileage: 147,000

20170408EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WIRE INSULATION DETERIORATION CAUSING SHORT, POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD, 5 SEPARATE LIGHTING COMPONENTS ALL WIRING INSULATION SEVERELY DETERIORATED CAUSING SHORT CIRCUITING AND INOPERABLE HEADLIGHTS. BARE COPPER WIRES MAKING CONTACT I HAVE AN EXTENSIVE HISTORY IN ELECTRONICS AND FIREFIGHTING. THIS ISSUE WAS FOUND WHILE CHANGING A BULB. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR USING INFERIOR MATERIALS THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE (HTTPS://WWW.BIMMERFORUMS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?2132684-HEADLIGHT-WIRE-JACKETS-JUST-FLAKE-OFF)

Mileage: 164,000

20170116ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WIRE ROT DETERIORATION AT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. CONCERN ELECTRICAL FIRE DUE TO BARE EXPOSED WIRES. NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURE WITHOUT RESOLUTION. PERSONALLY HAD TO PAY OVER $500 TO HE DEALERSHIP JUST TO WRAPPED WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE. AFTER 3 MONTHS, CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HIGH BEAM FAILURE (HID ADOPTIVE PASSENGER SIDE) WHICH THE DEALER TO REPLACEMENT COST OF $2599.

Mileage: 101,000

20170116EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WIRE ROT DETERIORATION AT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. CONCERN ELECTRICAL FIRE DUE TO BARE EXPOSED WIRES. NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURE WITHOUT RESOLUTION. PERSONALLY HAD TO PAY OVER $500 TO HE DEALERSHIP JUST TO WRAPPED WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE. AFTER 3 MONTHS, CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HIGH BEAM FAILURE (HID ADOPTIVE PASSENGER SIDE) WHICH THE DEALER TO REPLACEMENT COST OF $2599.

Mileage: 101,000

20150112CrashAIR BAGS

WHILE TRAVELING AND SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN INTO A BUSINESS, THE CAR BESIDE ME (LEFT OF ME) MAKES A QUICK FAST U TURN AND ENDS UP HITTING MY CAR. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, HITTING ME INTO MY FACE/HEAD VERY HARD. I HAVE BEEN IN TREATMENT SINCE. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MAJOR SURGERY ON MY NECK, STILL HAVE PROBLEMS AND MAY NEED MORE SURGERY. MY NECK WILL NOT BE THE SAME AND ALWAYS IN PAIN. I HAVE LOUD RINGING IN MY EARS THAT IS PERMANENT. I HAVE HEADACHES WITH SINUS PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE I WOULD HAVE BEEN FINE WITH MY SEAT BELT ON. I FEEL LIKE THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE NOT DEPLOYED UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. I NOW SUFFER FROM DEPRESSION, CAN'T WORK DOING WHAT I HAVE DONE FOR OVER 20 YEARS NOW AND ANYTHING ELSE VERY LONG WITH OUT BEING IN PAIN IN MY NECK. I AM VERY UPSET OVER THIS. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

20140829SEATS

BMW RECALLED 2004 BMW 525I AND OTHERS FOR THE SEAT MAT SENSOR. I HAD CALLED THEM (2012-13) AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE (BASED ON VIN) WASN'T PART OF THE RECALL. I INFORMED THEM THAT MY VEHICLE'S MAT SENSOR WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THEM. THEY, BMW USA TOLD ME THAT MINE WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. I STILL CANT UNDERSTAND IF THE REST ARE DEFECTIVE, HOW COME MINE IS CONSIDERED NOT DEFECTIVE WHEN ITS INOPERATIVE AND SAME PROBLEM AS THOUSANDS OF OTHER 2004 525I. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

20140829AIR BAGS

BMW RECALLED 2004 BMW 525I AND OTHERS FOR THE SEAT MAT SENSOR. I HAD CALLED THEM (2012-13) AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE (BASED ON VIN) WASN'T PART OF THE RECALL. I INFORMED THEM THAT MY VEHICLE'S MAT SENSOR WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THEM. THEY, BMW USA TOLD ME THAT MINE WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. I STILL CANT UNDERSTAND IF THE REST ARE DEFECTIVE, HOW COME MINE IS CONSIDERED NOT DEFECTIVE WHEN ITS INOPERATIVE AND SAME PROBLEM AS THOUSANDS OF OTHER 2004 525I. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

20140829ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BMW RECALLED 2004 BMW 525I AND OTHERS FOR THE SEAT MAT SENSOR. I HAD CALLED THEM (2012-13) AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE (BASED ON VIN) WASN'T PART OF THE RECALL. I INFORMED THEM THAT MY VEHICLE'S MAT SENSOR WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THEM. THEY, BMW USA TOLD ME THAT MINE WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. I STILL CANT UNDERSTAND IF THE REST ARE DEFECTIVE, HOW COME MINE IS CONSIDERED NOT DEFECTIVE WHEN ITS INOPERATIVE AND SAME PROBLEM AS THOUSANDS OF OTHER 2004 525I. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

20140718AIR BAGS

DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

20140319AIR BAGS

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE CAME ON THE SCREEN OF THE IDRIVE OF THE CAR WHEN MY 76 YEAR OLD MOTHER WAS PLACED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AFTER RETURNING TO THE PARKING LOT AFTER HER DOCTOR VISIT: "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION". IT HAS BEEN ON SINCE. *TR

Mileage: 143,000

20140319SEAT BELTS

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE CAME ON THE SCREEN OF THE IDRIVE OF THE CAR WHEN MY 76 YEAR OLD MOTHER WAS PLACED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AFTER RETURNING TO THE PARKING LOT AFTER HER DOCTOR VISIT: "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION". IT HAS BEEN ON SINCE. *TR

Mileage: 143,000

20130830AIR BAGS

IN MARCH PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT AIR BAG LIGHT TURN ON FOR NO REASON. I HAVE SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND COME TO KNOW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE FROM BMW FOR 2004 525I SERIES. I CALL LOCAL DEALERSHIP BMW OF PLANO TEXAS AND PROVIDE THEM MY VIN NUMBER AND OTHER INFORMATION AND THEY SAID IT IS NOT COVERED. EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOTED ON NHTSA SITE THAT 100K OR 10 YRS THIS RECALL IS COVERED. NOT SURE WHAT CAN I DO AS THIS IS REAL SERIOUS ISSUE WHERE AIR BAG WILL NOT BE ENABLED EVEN IF A PASSENGER SIT IN THE SEAT

Mileage: 86,000

20130724AIR BAGS

I OWN A 2004 BMW 530I. AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVE-WAY, THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION LIGHT APPEARED AND HAS NOT GONE OFF. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, BEFORE I BECAME AWARE OF THE RECALL, AND HE TOLD ME IT WAS BECAUSE I PLACED MY PURSE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. AFTER SEARCHING HIS DATABASE, HE TOLD ME IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THEREFORE, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE TOTAL COST TO REPAIR IT. I WOULD BELIEVE THIS IF MY VEHICLE WASN'T A 2004 AND I HAVE BEEN PLACING MY PURSE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT SINCE I FIRST PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW IN 2004! *TR

Mileage: 90,000

20130607AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 5 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND PASSENGER RESTRAINT LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000. *TR

Mileage: 79,000

Compare 2004BMW5-SERIES to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 BMW 5-SERIES have?
The 2004 BMW 5-SERIES has 89 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 11 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 BMW 5-SERIES?
The most-complained component for the 2004 BMW 5-SERIES is AIR BAGS with 24 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and SEAT BELTS.
Is the 2004 BMW 5-SERIES safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.