Model year
2004 BMW 5 Series
NHTSA lists 6 recalls and 64 complaints for the 2004 BMW 5 Series (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 0 recalls and 257 complaints under 525I, 530I, and 545I. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (24), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (8), SEAT BELTS (7). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 17–22 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,750–$4,850, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 2 complaints
- 2001 3 complaints
- 2002 7 complaints
- 2003 15 complaints
- 2004 64 complaints
- 2005 21 complaints
- 2006 85 complaints
- 2007 13 complaints
- 2008 105 complaints
- 2009 8 complaints
- 2010 6 complaints
- 2011 81 complaints
- 2012 10 complaints
- 2013 194 complaints
- 2014 152 complaints
- 2015 100 complaints
- 2016 83 complaints
- 2017 38 complaints
- 2018 89 complaints
- 2019 39 complaints
- 2020 15 complaints
- 2021 27 complaints
- 2022 17 complaints
- 2023 0 complaints
- 2024 18 complaints
- 2025 2 complaints
- 2026 1 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
12V126000 · Mar 26, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
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,…
10V446000 · Oct 1, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
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.
08V384000 · Aug 5, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT, SMALL CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS,…
04V575000 · Dec 6, 2004
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
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…
04V344000 · Jul 14, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8 AND 12 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL (EMC) UNITS WERE NOT PRODUCED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS.
04V303000 · Jun 23, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
Complaints
64 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 1, fire flag on 9, injury field 4, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 525I | 0 | 84 |
| 530I | 0 | 129 |
| 545I | 0 | 44 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA08001 | BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION · AIR BAGS; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE | Jan 4, 2008 | Dec 31, 2008 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 525i · 2.5L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 26 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 525i · 2.5L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 26 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 530i · 3L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 27 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| 530i · 3L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 27 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| 530i · 3L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 26 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 545i · 4.4L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 15 | 23 | 18 | — | — | $4,550 |
| 545i · 4.4L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| 545i · 4.4L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 15 | 22 | 17 | — | — | $4,850 |
| 525i · 2.5L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 28 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2004 BMW 5 Series at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.