2004 BMW 3 Series: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 77 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is exterior lighting (52% of complaints); the 2002 and 2005 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
77
owner complaints
3
fire reports
80,475
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No recall campaignsProblems tend to appear late (median 80,475 mi)One of the most complained-about 3 Series years (#4 of 21, age-adjusted)Weak spot: exterior lighting (52%)3 fire reports
Common problems
Computed from 77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Exterior Lighting (headlights, taillights)52% · 40 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)18% · 14 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)13% · 10 complaints
Visibility (windshield, wipers, defroster, mirrors)3% · 2 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)3% · 2 complaints
Latches/Locks/Linkages (door locks, latches, hood release)3% · 2 complaints
“New defective brake pads caused a traffic accident with total loss of the vehicles involved. Brake pads are contaminated and embedded with a slippery substance. Pads are from prime choice auto parts 42832 state route 12, alexandria bay, ny, 13607-2216 can you investigate and analyze the brake pads in order to stop the selling of defective and dangerous brake pads? I am able to ship to you a brake pad sample. The vehicle was in motion, but unable to stop before turning on a city street.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2018
“My vehicle unexpectedly started on fire as my daughter was driving to school. It was determined that it was an electrical fire, and resulted in the car being totaled. The 2004 models need to be included in the recall (not that it will help with the loss of my car).”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2017
“Headlights project almost no light. Just paid $130 to have lenses cleaned, no improvment. I thought it was my eyes and complained to opthamologist twice but my eyes are ok. I've read tht the reflector bowls in this model melt from the heat of the bulb. I need to remedy this situation asap so I will not be able to wait for an investigation.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Takata recall I received a air bag recall notice from bmw in june 2015 and another recall notice in september 2016.over a year + I have been calling south bay bmw in torrance ca. And they keep on telling me they do not have the parts yet. Can you please help me..”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
“The power door lock on passenger side cannot be unlocked either via remote or inside button. Worse, often when this happens, the door cannot be opened even by pulling on the handle from the inside! A passenger cannot get out of the car via the door. Furthermore, repeatedly attempts to have this fixed all fail within a short time.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw 3 series. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The VIN was invalid. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 2/4/16 *cn updated 02/16/16*jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
“Headlight reflectors on hid being burnt therefore not giving enough light when driving at night. This is a common problem with owners of this model that has the zkw brand.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Jul 2015
“My headlights are so dim at night it is impossible to see without high beams on at all times. The fog lights are brighter than my new headlight bulbs. Only solution seems to replace the whole assembly but after researching this seems to be an ongoing issue with bmw so why should I have to spend over 1500.00 when they should have to replace them with a recall.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2015
“In july 2015 I received a notice of recall campaign no. 15v-381: driver side front air bag module. It said if deployed metal fragments could strike the driver or other passengers causing death or serious injury. It said I'd get a 2nd letter when the parts were available. I've never gotten the second letter, and when I called my dealer at the beginning of this month to schedule the repair they said that the parts were still not available! That's almost a year later. I'm afraid to drive the car but I have no choice!”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
“Takata recall - notified july 2015 - a year ago - about driver's side airbag, still no parts available and I live in one of the most humid states in the south. It is irresponsible and ridiculous that we have to wait over a year for part replacements that if ruptured, could cause serious injury or death. Bmw north america website states: remedy available but global imports atlanta is reporting they still do not have any replacement drivers side airbags.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
How other years compare
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Is the 2004 BMW 3 Series reliable?
NHTSA has 77 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 BMW 3 Series. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting (52% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 BMW 3 Series problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,475 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.