BMW 645CI · model year

2004 BMW 645CI

24 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004BMW645CI carries 24 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 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 645CI is air bags with 4 filings, followed by seat belts (4) and electrical system (3). 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 645CI. 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.

24
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

24 filings

Crashes Reported

0 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 BAGS4
SEAT BELTS4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
SERVICE BRAKES2
SEATS2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
STEERING1
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION1
ENGINE1
WHEELS1

Recent Complaints

20240326WHEELS

My Bmw got impounded illegally from my location where I rent commercial space and there is no signs saying car wheel be parked there at 12 at night this was an illegal tow by tow guys 3823 losse rd 702 598 1630 I payed $474.64 to get my car out impound

20210906ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The idrive system in my car continues to cut on and off, this eventually caused my car to shut off on me two times while in traffic with no warning or indication of the shut off. The sensor alert continuously goes off for everything in the car. I took my car to the BMW dealership in Huntsville Alabama, they had my car for almost a month and could not find the issue with the drive or anything the sensors were notifying me of. The system constantly says my car is overheating, but I just got the radiator hose fixed and the dealership checked it for leaks while they had it and they did not see any other leaks or any other issues causing it to overhear. I researched this issue on a BMW form and I see this is a common issue with the electrical system. This issue is very alarming to me because the sensors do not work properly so I wouldn’t know what is really wrong with the car and with all the electrical issues I am afraid the car might catch on fire. I can’t believe this problem is so

20210906SEAT BELTS

The idrive system in my car continues to cut on and off, this eventually caused my car to shut off on me two times while in traffic with no warning or indication of the shut off. The sensor alert continuously goes off for everything in the car. I took my car to the BMW dealership in Huntsville Alabama, they had my car for almost a month and could not find the issue with the drive or anything the sensors were notifying me of. The system constantly says my car is overheating, but I just got the radiator hose fixed and the dealership checked it for leaks while they had it and they did not see any other leaks or any other issues causing it to overhear. I researched this issue on a BMW form and I see this is a common issue with the electrical system. This issue is very alarming to me because the sensors do not work properly so I wouldn’t know what is really wrong with the car and with all the electrical issues I am afraid the car might catch on fire. I can’t believe this problem is so

20210906ENGINE

The idrive system in my car continues to cut on and off, this eventually caused my car to shut off on me two times while in traffic with no warning or indication of the shut off. The sensor alert continuously goes off for everything in the car. I took my car to the BMW dealership in Huntsville Alabama, they had my car for almost a month and could not find the issue with the drive or anything the sensors were notifying me of. The system constantly says my car is overheating, but I just got the radiator hose fixed and the dealership checked it for leaks while they had it and they did not see any other leaks or any other issues causing it to overhear. I researched this issue on a BMW form and I see this is a common issue with the electrical system. This issue is very alarming to me because the sensors do not work properly so I wouldn’t know what is really wrong with the car and with all the electrical issues I am afraid the car might catch on fire. I can’t believe this problem is so

20180806SEATS

PASSENGER SEAT OC3 OCCUPANCY MAT NOT WORKING-IT SHOWS A FAULT CODE- I TOOK IT TO BIRMINGHAM BMW AND WAS TOLD I HAVE TO GET A NEW BMW BATTERY AND BATTERY CABLE.THEY CHARGED ME $ 120 TO DIAGNOSE THIS PROBLEM BUT DID NOTHING TO FIX THE OC3 MAT THAT IS FAULTING.I HAVE CHECKED ON LINE AND THIS DOES NOTHING.

20180806AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

PASSENGER SEAT OC3 OCCUPANCY MAT NOT WORKING-IT SHOWS A FAULT CODE- I TOOK IT TO BIRMINGHAM BMW AND WAS TOLD I HAVE TO GET A NEW BMW BATTERY AND BATTERY CABLE.THEY CHARGED ME $ 120 TO DIAGNOSE THIS PROBLEM BUT DID NOTHING TO FIX THE OC3 MAT THAT IS FAULTING.I HAVE CHECKED ON LINE AND THIS DOES NOTHING.

20170503ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

ACTIVE STEERING MALFUNCTION, AIRBAGS LIGHTS, STABLE CONTROLL STEERING WHEEL IS COCKED ABOUT HALF TURN TO DRIVE STREIGHT.

Mileage: 75,000

20170503SEAT BELTS

ACTIVE STEERING MALFUNCTION, AIRBAGS LIGHTS, STABLE CONTROLL STEERING WHEEL IS COCKED ABOUT HALF TURN TO DRIVE STREIGHT.

Mileage: 75,000

20170503STEERING

ACTIVE STEERING MALFUNCTION, AIRBAGS LIGHTS, STABLE CONTROLL STEERING WHEEL IS COCKED ABOUT HALF TURN TO DRIVE STREIGHT.

Mileage: 75,000

20150327AIR BAGS

I HAVE WARNING LIGHT WHEN I TURN ON MY CAR THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT AND AIRBAG IS INACTIVE AND THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL... THIS IS SAFETY NOT A LUXURY OPTION... BMW ADVISED ME THAT IT WAS SOME SENSOR AND I ASKED IF I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT WILL THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY THEY SAID THERE IS A HIGH CHANCE IT WOULD NOT AND ALSO THE SEAT BELT COULD FAIL AS WELL... I SEEN OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS!! THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE NOT A OPTION!! PLEASE LOOK INTO IT!! BEING A CONVERTIBLE AND NO AIRBAGS IN A ACCIDENT IS A DEATH WAITING TO HAPPEN!!! *TR

Mileage: 61,000

20141119AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 645CI. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,587.

Mileage: 115,587

20140621AIR BAGS

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN WHICH THIS IS THE NUMBER YOU HAVE PROVIDED BUT NOT INCLUDING MY YR. IT WAS ONLY FOR 2006 MODELS AND I HAVE A 2004 BUT SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. I HAVE READ AND SEEN OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SOME DEALERSHIPS HONORED THE RECALL OR "SERVICE OFFER" BUT THEY WILL NOT FOR ME AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT A LUXURY OPTION. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA08001 NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER : 08V384000. *TR

Mileage: 56,555

20140621SEAT BELTS

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN WHICH THIS IS THE NUMBER YOU HAVE PROVIDED BUT NOT INCLUDING MY YR. IT WAS ONLY FOR 2006 MODELS AND I HAVE A 2004 BUT SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. I HAVE READ AND SEEN OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SOME DEALERSHIPS HONORED THE RECALL OR "SERVICE OFFER" BUT THEY WILL NOT FOR ME AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT A LUXURY OPTION. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA08001 NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER : 08V384000. *TR

Mileage: 56,555

20140621ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN WHICH THIS IS THE NUMBER YOU HAVE PROVIDED BUT NOT INCLUDING MY YR. IT WAS ONLY FOR 2006 MODELS AND I HAVE A 2004 BUT SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. I HAVE READ AND SEEN OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SOME DEALERSHIPS HONORED THE RECALL OR "SERVICE OFFER" BUT THEY WILL NOT FOR ME AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT A LUXURY OPTION. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA08001 NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER : 08V384000. *TR

Mileage: 56,555

20140621AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN WHICH THIS IS THE NUMBER YOU HAVE PROVIDED BUT NOT INCLUDING MY YR. IT WAS ONLY FOR 2006 MODELS AND I HAVE A 2004 BUT SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. I HAVE READ AND SEEN OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SOME DEALERSHIPS HONORED THE RECALL OR "SERVICE OFFER" BUT THEY WILL NOT FOR ME AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT A LUXURY OPTION. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA08001 NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER : 08V384000. *TR

Mileage: 56,555

20131202AIR BAGS

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE FAULT LIGHT HAS STARTED SHOWING ON MY BMW. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL REPORTED ON THE SAME COMPONENT "STATEMENT ON VOLUNTARY RECALL INVOLVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ON U.S.A. MODEL BMWS - AUGUST 13, 2008". IT IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM SO I CALLED BMW AND THEY STATED THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW MY CAR IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM BUT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL? THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I THINK BMW SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AND SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO CORRECT THIS FAULTY MAT SENSOR PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED. I AM AFRAID TO CARRY PASSENGERS IN MY CAR FOR LIABILITY REASONS. *TR

Mileage: 37,260

20131202SEAT BELTS

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE FAULT LIGHT HAS STARTED SHOWING ON MY BMW. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL REPORTED ON THE SAME COMPONENT "STATEMENT ON VOLUNTARY RECALL INVOLVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ON U.S.A. MODEL BMWS - AUGUST 13, 2008". IT IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM SO I CALLED BMW AND THEY STATED THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW MY CAR IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM BUT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL? THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I THINK BMW SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AND SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO CORRECT THIS FAULTY MAT SENSOR PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED. I AM AFRAID TO CARRY PASSENGERS IN MY CAR FOR LIABILITY REASONS. *TR

Mileage: 37,260

20131202SEATS

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE FAULT LIGHT HAS STARTED SHOWING ON MY BMW. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL REPORTED ON THE SAME COMPONENT "STATEMENT ON VOLUNTARY RECALL INVOLVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ON U.S.A. MODEL BMWS - AUGUST 13, 2008". IT IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM SO I CALLED BMW AND THEY STATED THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW MY CAR IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM BUT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL? THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I THINK BMW SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AND SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO CORRECT THIS FAULTY MAT SENSOR PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED. I AM AFRAID TO CARRY PASSENGERS IN MY CAR FOR LIABILITY REASONS. *TR

Mileage: 37,260

20121116SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 645CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT A YEAR AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, A BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THERE HAD NOT BEEN A FAILURE PRESENT BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BOOSTER HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,100. UPDATED 02/20/13*LJ UPDATED 02/20/2013 *JS

Mileage: 150,000

20121116SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 645CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT A YEAR AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, A BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THERE HAD NOT BEEN A FAILURE PRESENT BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BOOSTER HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,100. UPDATED 02/20/13*LJ UPDATED 02/20/2013 *JS

Mileage: 150,000

Compare 2004BMW645CI to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 BMW 645CI have?
The 2004 BMW 645CI has 24 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 BMW 645CI?
The most-complained component for the 2004 BMW 645CI is AIR BAGS with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEAT BELTS and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2004 BMW 645CI 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.