BMW · 6 Series · 2004
5
Recalls
14
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2004 BMW 6 Series has 5 recalls and 14 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: air bags (2 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
Remedy Status
Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Remedy Status
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.
Remedy Status
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8 AND 12 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL (EMC) UNITS WERE NOT PRODUCED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL UNIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8-CYLINDER ENGINES, A CIRCULAR RETENTION CLIP AT THE QUICK-RELEASE COUPLING ALONG THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE WAS INADVERTENTLY NOT INSTALLED.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CIRCULAR RETENTION CLIP AT THE QUICK-RELEASE COUPLING ALONG THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
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
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 common and he has not been recalled due to the safety and the devastating results it could cause it’s gone unnoticed for so long. I would hate for someone to lose their life, regarding this faulty issue in this car; these cars are not cheap no matter how old they are so I feel like BMW should stand behind their product and stop selling us faulty unsafe vehicles. We pay good money for these cars, this issue really needs to be fixed. I have a video of the iDrive system cutting on and off with the sensors alerting but this does not give me the option to upload a video. In addition the seatbelt will not retract in this car so it is not able to be worn properly. Also the engine seems like it is revving up sometime as if it wants to takeoff on its own. I have only experienced this issue a couple of times but not as much time as the iDrive issue mention above. Please assist in anyway you can I would really appreciate it. Have a great day!
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.
ACTIVE STEERING MALFUNCTION, AIRBAGS LIGHTS, STABLE CONTROLL STEERING WHEEL IS COCKED ABOUT HALF TURN TO DRIVE STREIGHT.
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
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.
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
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
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 645CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED; HOWEVER THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE CONTACT REPEATEDLY ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE POWER BOOSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
BMW 645CI: TRANSMISSION SURGES BETWEEN SPEEDS OF 30-40MPH WHILE APPLYING CONSTANT THROTTLE. *TR
2004 BMW 645CI. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE STALLING SEVERAL TIMES. *TGW AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP PERFORMED A DIAGNOSIS AND CODES FOR THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND SOLENOIDS APPEARED. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE STALLING CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND AGAIN AND THE MECHANIC PERFORMED ANOTHER DIAGNOSIS AND STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE IDRIVE, BUT WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO REPROGRAM THE IDRIVE, IT WAS DETERMINED THE CCC AND DME WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
VEHICLE STALLS AND DIES WHILE IDLING OR ON TURNING. VEHICLE RESTARTS AFTER STALL, BUT ALL STEERING IS LOST UNTIL RESTARTED. BMW HAS REPLACED THE MAIN COMPUTER CONTROL BOARD TWICE (DME). STALLING IS STILL EVIDENT. TOTAL NUMBER OF KNOWN STALLS - 4. ALSO, BASED ON POSTINGS ON HTTP://BIMMER. ROADFLY.ORG/BMW/FORUMS/E63/ IT APPEARS OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH HARDWARE/SOFTWARE ON THIS MAKE, BUT PERHAPS NOT TO THE SAME SAFETY LEVEL AS MINE. ALMOST IDENTICAL COMPLAINT ON FILE WITH YOU:MAKE: BMW MODEL: 6 SERIES YEAR: 2004 COMPLAINT NUMBER: 10091708 SUMMARY: 2004 BMW 645: WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH VEHICLE STALLED AND CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THE ENGINE STALLING PROBLEM RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. AGAIN, DEALERSHIP COULD NOT UNCOVER ANY DEFECT OR MALFUNCTION AND THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *AK
2004 BMW 645: WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH VEHICLE STALLED AND CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THE ENGINE STALLING PROBLEM RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. AGAIN, DEALERSHIP COULD NOT UNCOVER ANY DEFECT OR MALFUNCTION AND THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *AK (VEHICLE BUILD DATE: MAY 4, 2004 - EXCLUDED FROM SAFETY RECALL 04V-344, WHICH HAS A BUILD DATE RANGE BEGINNING WITH MAY 12, 2004) *MJJ
The 2004 BMW 6 Series has 5 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 14 owner-reported complaints for the 2004 BMW 6 Series.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2004 BMW 6 Series.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2004 BMW 6 Series are air bags (2 reports), electrical system (1 reports), electrical system,seat belts,engine (1 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 5 recalls on record for the 2004 BMW 6 Series. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.