2004 BMW 545I: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 43 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (26% of complaints).
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
43
owner complaints
2
fire reports
99,283
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 99,283 mi)Weak spot: air bags (26%)2 fire reports
Common problems
Computed from 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)26% · 11 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)14% · 6 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)12% · 5 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)10% · 4 complaints
Seats7% · 3 complaints
Seat Belts7% · 3 complaints
“Electrical wiring in headlights are disintegrating. The shielding is dry rotting and flaking off nearly every wire in both headlights causing them to malfunction during driving. Lights will cut off randomly. I'd imagine the wires are shorting out.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2019
“My car has the passenger restraint system warning everytime I start my car. The air bag recall is by takata is for the 2003 545i model. My car was manufactured in sep of 2003 with those takada airbags.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 2018
“My I drive or ccc has malfunctioned. At first the screen would turn on and off or freeze up. Finally the screen went blank. This unit provide the safety information of the vehicle. This unit also provides the communications such as bluetooth and hands free functions. This unit also provides all the service information/ basically it like driving a vehicle with out a brain. This seems to be a recurring problem with other bmw owner.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Same problem everyone else has with passenger side air bag malfunction. $1500+ repair, but will do it again, as it is faulty parts. Someone sits down in the passenger seat too hard, and it sets off the warning.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw 545i. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle overheated. The contact stated stated that the pump cool pipe was making the vehicle overheat. The contact stated that the vehicle was diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.”Owner report · Engine · May 2016
“Not too long ago I had my car parked on a street on a sunny day. I got in the vehicle and started it and received a message on my idrive saying that there is a passenger restraint system malfunction and a airbag light along with the seatbelt light lit up on the dash. Dealer says that there is no recall for this issue yet online I've read that my model does in fact have a recall for this issue.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2016
“Drive moderately keeps popping up an service engine after getting bmw to check it an fix it also it won't crank sometimes but the battery an alternator is brand new but after it sit for hours it finally crank up, maybe it's an security issue but it's unnecessary”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw 545i. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning indicator illuminated continuously. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 08v384000 (air bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,520. ....updated 12/30/15 *bf updated 2/23/2016*js *cn”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2015
“This transmission is slipping aggressively. It happens on up-shift 1-2 and downshift 2-1. It happens like 4 to 5 times in a week. Also sometimes I get a big slam on both up-shift and downshift... When this happens, the transmission malfunction error message pops up and reduces my movement to safe-mode, unless I shut the engine off and restart the engine. If you take time to go on bmw forums and blogs, everyone complain about this issue with this 5 series... Please do something.. The passenger airbag restraint error pops up even when someone is not seating on the passenger side.. This needs to be looked into.. Almost every bmw owner has this passenger issue...”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2015
“The air bag warning came on in the information center about a malfunction on the passenger side. Dealer said sensor would need replacement.”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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2004 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
Engines4.4L
Cylinders8
FuelGasoline
Body stylesSedan/Saloon
How other years compare
Check your exact 545I by VIN
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Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 BMW 545I reliable?
NHTSA has 43 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 BMW 545I. The most complained-about area is air bags (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 BMW 545I problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 99,283 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.