BMW · 7 Series · 2004
4
Recalls
91
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2004 BMW 7 Series has 4 recalls and 91 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: power train (13 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
The 2004 BMW 7 Series page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is power train with 13 reported complaints.
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.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT HEATING SYSTEMS, UPON ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, EXCESSIVE CONTACT WITH THE SIDE BOLSTER THAT IS CONTAINED IN THE SEAT'S BACKREST MAY DAMAGE THE HEATING MAT LOCATED IN THIS AREA. IF SUCH DAMAGE WERE TO OCCUR, WITH THE SYSTEM TURNED ON, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY FEEL EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THIS AREA.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE SEAT HEATING CIRCUIT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (ODS) MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RELIABLY DETERMINE IF THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS OCCUPIED.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SOFTWARE FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 13, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
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.
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 745LI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V3790...
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The electric parking gear shift slipped out of park on it own. When I stepped out of the car and the gear was placed in P park position, I got out the car was completely in park and not moving, I went to open my garage and planned to come back and drive car in garage. The car aut...
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BMW 745I 2004 ..ERROR CODE FOR HEADLIGHTS APPEAR ON DASH..I WENT AND REPLACE ALL LIGHT BULBS THEN NOTICED ALL THE WIRING IN THE HEADLIGHT UNIT ARE BRIDLE AND BROKEN DOWN CAUSING SHORTAGES AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS...VERY DANGEROUS IF DRIVING CAN ACTUALLY CAUSE A FIRE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745LI. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE MANIFOLD. ALSO, THE WHEELS AND AXLE NEEDED TO...
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COOLANT TRANSFER PIPE SEAL IS MADE OF IMPROPER MATERIAL THAT IS NOT COMPATBLE WITH HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURES. SEAL FAILS CAUSING LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT. SEAL FAILS AT 40,000 TO 110,000 MILES. REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $6,000 BECAUSE ENGINE MUST BE TAKEN APART TO REPLACE THE SEAL. ...
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I HAVE BEEN GETTING THIS ERROR IN MY IDRIVE SYSTEM: "FAULT IN PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. FASTEN AND CONTINUE TO WEAR BELTS. PLEASE CONTACT THE NEAREST BMW CENTER."
MY WHEELS HAVE BEEN SEEPING AIR FOR A YEAR NOW. I TAKE THE RIM IN TO GET REPAIRED.TECH NOTIFIED ME THE WHEEL IS USELESS AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WHILE SHIPPING AROUND, NO WHEEL SHOP HAS BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE A REPLACEMENT, INCLUDING THE DEALER WHO SOLD IT TO ME. I PAID OVER 2600 ...
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CAR WAS STATIONARY ON THE SIDE OF THE STREET. I SIMPLY GOT OUT OF MY VEHICLE AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW, IT STARTED ROLLING DOWN THE HILLON ITS OWN. VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THEN HIT A NEARBY WALL. TOTAL LOSS.
THE REAR SIDE DOOR UNEXPECTEDLY OPEN WHILE DRIVING, A WEEK LATER THE OTHER SIDE DID THE SAME THING THE FOR OPEN THEN IT CLOSED BY ITS SELF. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A HIGHWSY.
ENGINE VALVE GUIDE SEALS MADE OF IMPROPER MATERIAL THAT FAILS CAUSING OIL LEAKAGE INTO EXHAUST, FOULING OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER, FAILURE TO PASS INSPECTION AND POLLUTION. THE VALVE GUIDE SEALS ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURES WHICH CAUSES THE SEALS TO FAIL AT 8...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 91 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2004 BMW models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2004 BMW 7 Series has 4 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 91 owner-reported complaints for the 2004 BMW 7 Series.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2004 BMW 7 Series.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2004 BMW 7 Series are power train (13 reports), air bags (12 reports), service brakes, hydraulic (6 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 4 recalls on record for the 2004 BMW 7 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.