2004 BMW 3 Series
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 558 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 21 3 Series model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 26 involved a crash and 23 involved a fire. 29 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: visibility
32 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, Visibility, Jul 10, 2011
1. BOUGHT THE CAR WITH ZKW BOWL REFLECTIVE MATERIAL DEFICIENT. 2004 BMW 330I ZHP. 2. CAN'T SEE SAFELY AT NIGHT TO DRIVE. 3. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE...AS REPLACEMENT OEM LIGHTS ARE $1000.00 EACH. *TR
Visibility, Jun 21, 2010
SIDE VIEW MIRRORS BEGIN TO RUST FROM THE BOTTOM UP. THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO THE HEATED MIRRORS BUT HAPPENS TO MOST 3 SERIES BMW'S, DESPITE THE CLIMATE. *TR
Visibility, Mar 8, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330XI(N/A). WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING HIS VEHICLE HE NOTICED A LOUD POPPING SOUND, AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR VIEW MIRRIOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR HAD LIQUID MISSING INSIDE OF IT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84000.
Visibility, Nov 17, 2009
A LIQUID FORMS IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WHICH HINDERS THE ABILITY TO SEE WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. THEN SOME OF THE LIQUID DRAINS FROM THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND ALL OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE' RUINING THE LEATHER. BMW REFUSES TO REPLACE. *TR
Visibility, Jul 8, 2008
I OWN A 2004 BMW 325I AND MY REARVIEW MIRROR WITH AN AUTODIMMING FEATURE LEAKED ONTO MY CENTER CONSOLE AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THERE WAS NO PRIOR INDICATION OF MIRROR FAILURE BEFORE I NOTICED THE BROKEN MIRROR AND SPOTS ON THE SEAT AND CONSOLE. THE FLUID ACTUALLY BUBBLED UP AND ATE THROUGH MY CONSOLE AND CUP HOLDERS AND LEFT PERMANENT STAINS ON THE SEAT. THE DEALER IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SO IS MAGNA DONNELLY AS IT HAS HAPPENED TO NUMEROUS CARS AS CAN BE SEEN MY TALKING TO BMW, ACURA, MAGNA DONNELLY AND INTERNET FORUMS. WE SPOKE BOTH TO THE LOCAL BMW DEALER AND BMW CORPORATE AND MAGNA DONNELLY AND WHILE THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MY MIRROR LEAKED AND THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD DO NOTHING TO FIX IT. I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THE MIRROR BECAUSE MY CAR IS NOT DRIVEABLE WITHOUT IT, HOWEVER, THEY ALSO INDICATED I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO REPLACE IT WITH AN IDENTICAL MIRROR WHICH MAY LEAK IN THE FUTURE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Jun 4, 2004
ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ON 2004 BMW 325IC. *MR THE CHECK COOLANT LIGHT HAD COME ON, THEN THE OIL INDICATOR LIGHT AND THEN THE ENGINE STOPPED. THIS ALL OCCURRED WITHIN SECONDS. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT A WATER PUMP WAS NEEDED AND THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS OIL LEAK. THE LEFT AND RIGHT WINDOWS DID NOT MOVE INTO THE LOCK POSITION. *SC *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Apr 4, 2004
ENGINE POWER FAILURE AND HEAVILY DISTORTED WINDSHIELD ON A 2004 BMW 330CI. REPEATED FAILURE OF ENGINE POWER WITHOUT WARNING (TWICE IN AN ITERSECTION). BMW REPLACED ENG. COMPUTER, THEN INSTALLED NEW SOFTWARE AFTER SECOND INCIDENT. ROUGH IDLE AND SURGING CONTINUES AND GAS MILEAGE IN CITY DROPPED TO 12.6-13 MPG. ADDITIONALLY THE WINDSHIELD IS HEAVILY DISTORTED. BMW REPLACED IT WITH AN EQUALLY DISTORTED ONE AND THE FSE SAID"ALL 3 SERIES WINDSHIELDS ARE DISTORTED,WORSE ON THE X3". IT IS LIKE DRIVING IN THE RAIN WITHOUT WIPERS. IN BOTH CASES THE BMW FSE HAS STATED THE " THERE IS NOTHING MORE TO BE DONE". THIS IS THE REAL BMW WARRANTY SERVICE. THIS LEMON IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *NM