2004 BMW 3 Series Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

2004 BMW 3 Series recalls

No safety recalls on file for the 2004 BMW 3 Series.

Most common 2004 BMW 3 Series problems

Problem areas named in the 77 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Exterior Lighting	43
Air Bags	15
Electrical System	12
Latches/Locks/Linkages	3
Visibility/Wiper	3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	2
Structure	2
Visibility	2
Power Train	2
Seats	2

What owners report

2019-03-22, Exterior Lighting
HEADLAMP BULB OUT AND UPON REPLACEMENT IT WAS NOTED THE COATED WIRING TO THE XENON SYSTEM TO RIGHT AND LEFT HEADLIGHT IS BRITTLE (THE WIRES PLASTIC COATING IS FALLING OFF)AND IN SOME PLACES EXPOSED WIRING WAS FOUND. ELECTRICAL TAPE NEED TO WRAP THE WIRING TO AVOID POTENTIAL FIRE. LATE NOTICE TO THIS SITE I WAS UNAWARE TO FILE A REPORT. OTHERS ALSO HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES.

2018-08-09, Service Brakes
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.

2017-11-18, Electrical System
VEHICLE ADAPTIVE XENON HEADLIGHT WIRING IS FAULTY . WIRE INSULATION IS CRACKING/DETERIORATING AND ENTIRE WIRES ARE BREAKING APART. SYMPTOMS START WITH FLICKERING XENON HEADLIGHT EVENTUALLY (ABOUT A WEEK LATER) STOPS WORKING AT ALL. VEHICLE IS MOVING OR STATIONARY, ENGINE ON. THE FAULTY WIRES ARE IN A WEATHER SEALED COMPARTMENT OF THE HEADLIGHT AND HAVE NEVER (TO MY KNOWLEDGE) EVEN BEEN UNSEALED/ACCESSED SINCE LEAVING THE FACTORY. THE ISSUE IS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, UNKNOWN IF IT IS ON THE DRIVER SIDE AS WELL. THE ATTACHED PHOTO SHOWS BACK SIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING LOOKING DOWN, WITH THE WEATHER-SEALED COMPARTMENT OPEN. ALL EXPOSED WIRE IS AS A RESULT OF THE ISSUE, NOBODY HAS

2017-11-08, Electrical System
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).

2017-01-13, Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL NHTSA RECALL NUMBER:15V318 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 14V428

2004 BMW 3 Series questions

Does the 2004 BMW 3 Series have any recalls?

No. NHTSA has no safety recalls on file for the 2004 BMW 3 Series at this time.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 BMW 3 Series?

Based on 77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Exterior Lighting (43), Air Bags (15), Electrical System (12).

How do I check if a recall on my 2004 BMW 3 Series has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.