NHTSA vehicle safety data

2004 BMW 7 Series Recalls & Complaints

The 2004 BMW 7 Series has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 28 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2004 BMW 7 Series. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2004 BMW 7 Series owner complaints

Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 BMW 7 Series, describing incidents dated March 16, 2004 to May 2, 2016.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 5 complaints
Power Train 4 complaints
Air Bags 3 complaints
Electrical System 3 complaints
Engine 3 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 3 complaints

Of the 28 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire; across all 28 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10862673 · Filed May 2, 2016
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."
ODI #10785243 · Filed October 22, 2015
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.
ODI #10512238 · Filed May 15, 2013
I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY GOT HARD AND WENT TO THE FLOOR. BRAKES WOULD BE SOFT INITIALLY AND AS PRESSURE WAS CONTINUED WOULD GET HARD AND REQUIRED SUSTAINED INTENSE EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY BMW INVOLVING THE BOOSTER AND THEY CLAIM TO HAVE INSPECTED VEHICLE FOR THIS…

Read all 28 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2004 BMW 7 Series in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA12-002: Vehicle Rollaway
Closed January 24, 2013
- Recall 12V-502
Preliminary Evaluation PE11-025: Vehicle Rollaway
Closed April 23, 2012
Engineering Analysis EA08-001: BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
Closed December 31, 2008
- Recall 08V-384

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

BRAKE VACUUM PUMP

NHTSA #10V446000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Power Assist — Vacuum · NHTSA notice

Reported October 1, 2010 · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC

Potentially affected: 198,352 vehicles

Owners notified November 24, 2010

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

POWER ASSIST BRAKING PERFORMANCE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN EXTREME CASES THERE COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AN UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

BMW/SEAT HEATING SYSTEM

NHTSA #04V575000 · Seats — Front Assembly — Seat Heater/Cooler · NHTSA notice

Reported December 6, 2004 · BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC

Potentially affected: 17,905 vehicles

Owners notified December 14, 2004 · Vehicles built February 26, 2003 – June 9, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE HEATING MAT IN THE BACKREST'S SIDE BOLSTER COULD OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE, OR MELT A SMALL HOLE IN, THIS AREA OF THE SEAT COVER. IF THIS HAPPENED, IT COULD LEAD TO AN OCCUPANT BEING BURNED.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BMW/DRIVER'S SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM

NHTSA #04V379000 · Seats · NHTSA notice

Reported August 9, 2004 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 3,940 vehicles

Owners notified October 13, 2004 · Vehicles built March 1, 2004 – June 2, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IN CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG, HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONER, AND KNEE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A SEAT OCCUPANT.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BMW/ENGINE CONTROL MODULE/ENGINE STALLING

NHTSA #04V344000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Control Module (TCM/PCM/TECM) · NHTSA notice

Reported July 14, 2004 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 4,102 vehicles

Owners notified July 16, 2004 · Vehicles built May 12, 2004 – July 6, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8 AND 12 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL (EMC) UNITS WERE NOT PRODUCED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS.

Safety consequence

AS A RESULT, ENGINE STALLING WILL OCCUR AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF OPERATION. THE VEHICLE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART. ALSO, A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND, AFTER REPEATED ACTUATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, A LOSS OF BRAKE POWER ASSIST WILL OCCUR. THESE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2004 BMW 7 Series w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

3 investigations

28 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 BMW 7 Series.

Air Bags

ODI #10862673

Incident: May 2, 2016 · Filed: May 2, 2016

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."

Electrical System

ODI #10785243

Incident: September 25, 2015 · Filed: October 22, 2015

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Service Brakes

ODI #10512238

Incident: May 1, 2013 · Filed: May 15, 2013

I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY GOT HARD AND WENT TO THE FLOOR. BRAKES WOULD BE SOFT INITIALLY AND AS PRESSURE WAS CONTINUED WOULD GET HARD AND REQUIRED SUSTAINED INTENSE EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY BMW INVOLVING THE BOOSTER AND THEY CLAIM TO HAVE INSPECTED VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM IN 2011 AND IT DID NOT REQUIRE BEING FIXED. THIS WAS BEFORE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER. THEY NOW REFUSE TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT OBVIOUSLY HAS NOT BEEN APPROPRIATELY ADDRESSED BY BMW. SADLY BMW PRIDES ITSELF IN GOOD BRAKES BUT REFUSES TO ADEQUATELY ADDRESS A PROBLEM THEY IDENTIFIED. IT WAS LISTED BY BMW AS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE ON THEIR WEBSITE. 10V44660000 THEY SAY IT HAS ALREADY BEEN FIXED. IT HAS NOT AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BECAUSE OF THE SERIOUS SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. *TR

Service Brakes

ODI #10509186

Incident: April 13, 2013 · Filed: April 22, 2013

VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND I HAVE TO ADD MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAD A RECALL CAMPAIGN NOVEMBER 2010 NO. 10V-446: BRAKE VACUUM PUMP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FIELDS BMW AND THEY PROVIDED ME WITH DOCUMENTATION STATING; "11/30/2010 0034910100 CK BRAKE BOOSTER LINE N62. B34, 04, 10". I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE, AND I COULD PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC, AND THE EXPENSES FOR THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO BE REPLACED. I HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO A BMW TECH FOR A FULL DIAGNOSTIC, AND HE INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE ABOVE, AND IT'S DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE CAR. YOUR ASSISTANCE REGARDING THIS MATTER WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10455348

Incident: April 12, 2012 · Filed: April 16, 2012

CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACCUM PUMP LEAKING. CHIRPING SOUND DURING IDLE. SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V446000. *JS

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10418645

Incident: August 7, 2011 · Filed: August 12, 2011

HARD TO START, CRANKS FOR A WHILE TILL IT BUILDS UP PRESSURE THEN STARTS. IDLES ROUGH AND SOMETIMES DIES WHEN SITTING AT STOP LIGHT, AND SPUTTERING POWER AT TIME WHEN TAKING OFF, LEAKS FUEL FROM RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL WHEN FILLING WITH FUEL. ALSO STALLS WHILE DRIVING AND TOTAL LOSS OF POWER FOR STEERING AND OTHER CONTROLS, VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT OCCURS. I'M TOLD IT IS THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND I MUST SAY THAT I CANNOT SEE HOW THIS PART CAN BE SO EXPENSIVE ($2,700) AND SURPRISED THAT BMW DID NOT RECALL THESE AND REPLACE IF THIS IN AN ENDEMIC FAULT. I WAS LUCKY THAT MY CAR FAILED 20 YARDS FROM MY HOUSE AS I RETURNED FROM A 200 MILE ROUND TRIP ON THE HIGHWAY. I DREAD TO THINK WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED TO ME IF THIS HAD STOPPED WHILE I WAS ON THE FAST LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. FOR WHAT IS A FLAGSHIP CAR, IT IS A POTENTIAL DEATH TRAP. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10411761

Incident: July 5, 2011 · Filed: July 11, 2011

IN REFERENCE TO BMW 760LI FUEL PUMP. RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE MINE, AFTER CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE THE HIGHWAY. CAR ALSO WAS HARD TO START, HAD TO CRANK ALONG TIME TO BUILD UP ENOUGH PRSSURE TO START. PROBLEM BECAME WORSE OVER TIME. *TT

Air Bags

ODI #10407635

Incident: May 11, 2011 · Filed: June 20, 2011

OWNER OF '04 745I AS OF 4/8/11. LAST MONTH RECEIVED NOTICE STATING "DEFAULT IN DRIVER RESTRAINT SYSTEM & AIRBAG ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY & MESSAGE STATING AIRBAG MAY NOT OPERATE." TOOK A TRIP TO MISSOURI LAST WK & RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT THERE'S A FAULT IN PASS RESTRAINT SYSTEM, RED ILLUMINATED LIGHT, AIRBAG MAY NOT OPERATE." BMW STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO HOOK IT UP TO A MACHINE ($225) TO READ THE CODE AND THAT IT MAY BE FROM PEOPLE MOVING AROUND IN THE SEAT AND THAT AFTER RETRIEVING THE CODE, THE LABOR & PARTS COULD RANGE FROM $250-$3000. *TT

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10406986

Incident: May 25, 2011 · Filed: June 15, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 760LI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLED APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED BOTH HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

Power Train

ODI #10390217

Incident: March 12, 2011 · Filed: March 15, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 760LI. WHILE DRIVING ABOVE 50 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE EXCESSIVELY AND THEN STALL WITHOUT WARNING SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V344000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM). BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PREVIOUS RECALL AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 51,600 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WAS 51,550.

Other BMW 7 Series model years

Check your 2004 BMW 7 Series VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 7 Series at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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