2004 BMW 3 Series problems and complaints
Owners have filed 558 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 BMW 3 Series. The most-reported areas: Air Bags (210), Exterior Lighting (196), Electrical System (63).
Key takeaways
- 558 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 26 involve a crash, 23 a fire, 29 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 210 | 38% |
| Exterior Lighting | 196 | 35% |
| Electrical System | 63 | 11% |
| Power Train | 29 | 5% |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 19 | 3% |
| Visibility/Wiper | 16 | 3% |
| Visibility | 16 | 3% |
| Service Brakes | 13 | 2% |
| Engine | 12 | 2% |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 11 | 2% |
| Structure | 10 | 2% |
| Unknown Or Other | 10 | 2% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 BMW 3 Series 4-DR. w/SAB | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Air Bags - filed 2026-06-25
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 330. The contact stated while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the front center of the vehicle crashed into the front center of another vehicle and the air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed. The contact stated that her and her husband both sus...
Vehicle Speed Control - filed 2025-06-05
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 330CI. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting to the reverse position, the engine began to rev very high, and the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and drove reverse into the side of the home. During the incident the vehicle the destroyed. No injur...
Electrical System,exterior Lighting,visibility/Wiper - filed 2025-05-16
I cannot use put my windows up/down, cannot open the trunk, cannot use interior lights, cannot unlock my gas lid. Due to a broke. Electronic part called the GM5
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More for the 2004 BMW 3 Series
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.