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
558 reports, newest first.
Power train, Feb 20, 2004
CAR HAS DELAY WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO FORWARD ON COLD STARTS. CAR DOWNSHIFT HARD UNDER BRAKING. CAR REVS HIGH ON QUICK ACCELERATION.*AK
Power train, Feb 20, 2004
TRANSMISSION DOES NOT INGAGE IN FORWARD DIRECTION FOR 30 SECONDS WHEN CAR IS COLD.*AK
Power train, Feb 18, 2004
I OWN A 2004 BMW 330CI. DRIVING IN REVERSE OUT OF MY GARAGE AND DRIVEWAY FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, THEN SHIFTING TO DRIVE WHEN I REACH THE STREET, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE UNTIL ABOUT 3-10 SECONDS. THE CAR WILL ROLL FREELY DURING THIS TIME AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. I HAVE NOT HAD AN INCIDENT OR CRASH, BUT FEAR IT IS A POSSIBILITY IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR ON A HILL OR IF A CAR WERE TO APPROACH AND I COULDN'T GET OUT OF THE WAY. I CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP CONCERNING THIS AND THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF IT, DESPITE NUMEROUS REPORTS I HAVE READ ONLINE FROM OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.
Power train, Feb 16, 2004
BRAND NEW 2004 CAR. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - USUALLY HAPPENS ONCE A DAY IN THE EARLY MORNING. COLD START, WHEN SHIFTING THE CAR INTO "DRIVE", IT TAKES A FEW SECONDS FOR "D" TO ENGAGE AND MUST REV UP TO 2000-4000 RPM TO GO FORWARD. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN STARTING ON STEEP ROADS BECAUSE THE CAR WILL SLIP BACKWARDS FOR A FEW SECONDS. IT FIRST OCCUR ON MY NEW CAR AROUND 400 MILES AND HAS OCCUR MANY TIMES, ON AND OFF, FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS. IT HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH 2003 AND 2004 BMW AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. NO REAL SOLUTIONS FROM DEALERSHIPS OR BMW COMPANY.*AK
Power train, Feb 16, 2004
COLD MORNING START THE VEHICLE REVS TO 2 -3K RPMS WITH LITTLE OR NO FORWARD MOTION. DRIVE IS NOT ENGAGING. PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC WAS TERRIFYING. DEALER OFFERED SEVERAL REASONS: 1) NEEDED TO BE BROKEN IN 2) NEEDS A SOFTWARE UPGRADE 3) NEEDS A CLUTCH PACK PART AND FINALLY 4) NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. *AK
Power train, Jan 28, 2004
THE STEPTRONIC TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAUGE IN "D" FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT. BMW REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT 1100 MILES AND AT 300 MILES THE "NEW" TRANSMISSION IS DOING THE SAME THING. THE CAR GOES IN "R" AND POTENTIALLY COULD LEAVE YOU IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY.*AK
Power train, Jan 21, 2004
PETITION FOR DEFECT INVESTIGATION OF THE 2004 BMW 325XI DUE TO HESITATION IN SHIFTING OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER A FULL STOP. *MR WHEN THE CONSUMER SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE IT EXPERIENCED DELAYS OF FROM ONE HALF MINUTE TO TWO MINUTES BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO DRIVE THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FORWARD. *SC
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 16, 2004
WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR SHOOK VIOLENTLY, THE ENGINE RATTLED AND THE CAR LOST ENGINE POWER; THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. THE CAR BECAME IMMEDIATELY UN DRIVABLE. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT ONE OF THE CYLINDERS IN THE CAR MISFIRED AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, SENDING THE ENGINE INTO A COMPLETE UNBALANCE. *CB