2004 BMW M3: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 31 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (26% of complaints); the 2005 and 2006 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Wiring problem with factory headlights. This issue causes headlights to flicker and eventually turn off. It happens while the vehicle is in motion and sitting still.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw m3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 bmw m3. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirmed parts not available......updated 02/11/16 *bf *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 bmw m3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags); however, the part needed to perform the repair was unavailable. The contact was placed on a waiting list. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The VIN was unavailalbe. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 bmw m3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v318000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
“Takada recall: notified by bmw july 2015 driver-side air bag module defective. In may 2016, bmw advised they did not know when air bag would befixed. Since then another person has died. Concerned about safety and length of time waiting for fix.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
“No accident. Just waiting since september 2014 to have my passenger side airbag replaced. I can't drive the car with a passenger because the airbag is affected by a recall and the bmw dealers don't have the parts to replace it. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw m3 convertible. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14v428000 (air bags). However, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2014
“Takata recall -- it's been 2 years since the recall was issued, but the manufacturer / dealership do not seem to be able to get the parts to repair my car. This essentially renders my car unsafe, and in many ways, unusable. I still have not heard about a date by when the parts will be available / repair will be done.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2014
“I was driving my car on lake shore drive and I hit a pot hole near lawrence ave. I ended up getting flat on both of my right tires. It possibly bent my rim, suspension issues, and tire have been flat. *tr”Owner report · Wheels · Jun 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 0 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2004 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact M3 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 BMW M3 reliable?
NHTSA has 31 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 BMW M3. The most complained-about area is air bags (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 BMW M3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 77,994 miles or less.
Does the 2004 BMW M3 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.