Model year
2004 BMW 7 Series
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 28 complaints for the 2004 BMW 7 Series (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 0 recalls and 63 complaints under 745I, 745LI, 760I, and 760LI. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (3), SEATS (3), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC (3). NHTSA lists 3 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 16–19 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,350–$5,150, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 2 complaints
- 2001 2 complaints
- 2002 4 complaints
- 2003 8 complaints
- 2004 28 complaints
- 2005 4 complaints
- 2006 29 complaints
- 2007 13 complaints
- 2008 11 complaints
- 2009 9 complaints
- 2010 2 complaints
- 2011 3 complaints
- 2012 2 complaints
- 2013 26 complaints
- 2014 14 complaints
- 2015 6 complaints
- 2016 25 complaints
- 2017 12 complaints
- 2018 8 complaints
- 2019 4 complaints
- 2020 5 complaints
- 2021 5 complaints
- 2022 4 complaints
- 2023 23 complaints
- 2024 8 complaints
- 2025 2 complaints
- 2026 0 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
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.
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…
04V379000 · Aug 9, 2004
SEATS
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.
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.
Complaints
28 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 0, fire flag on 1, injury field 2, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 745I | 0 | 24 |
| 745LI | 0 | 33 |
| 760I | 0 | 3 |
| 760LI | 0 | 3 |
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 |
| PE11025 | Vehicle Rollaway · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | Aug 5, 2011 | Apr 23, 2012 |
| EA12002 | Vehicle Rollaway · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | Apr 10, 2012 | Jan 24, 2013 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 745i · 4.4L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| 745li · 4.4L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| 760li · 6L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 13 | 21 | 16 | — | — | $5,150 |
| 760i · 6L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 13 | 21 | 16 | — | — | $5,150 |
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 7 Series at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.