Model year record
2004 BMW 530i recalls & problems
The 2004 BMW 530i has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 129 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is air bags (50 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2004 BMW 530i.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
530i
| City / highway | 18 / 27 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
530i
| City / highway | 18 / 27 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
530i
| City / highway | 17 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module | 50 | 81,000 mi |
| SeatsFront assembly › Seat heater/cooler | 30 | 96,000 mi |
| Electrical system | 28 | 98,000 mi |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission | 11 | 60,000 mi |
| SteeringElectric power assist system | 9 | 68,100 mi |
| Seat belts | 8 | 114,321 mi |
| StructureBody | 5 | 58,880 mi |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine; Exhaust system › Emission control | 5 | 47,000 mi |
| Engine | 5 | 58,702 mi |
| TiresTread/belt | 3 | — |
| Fuel system, gasolineStorage | 3 | 29,474 mi |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 132,000 mi |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- SeatsFire
The heated seats start fires and BMW refuses to acknowledge that my car should've been a part of the NHTSA Recall 04V-575. The dealership denies any issue with the car despite knowing about the hole it burned in my seat.
- Electrical system
BATTERY CABLE - INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR
- Electrical systemCrash
Unrepaired Recalls (1) 12V-126:79 Safety: Battery Cable - Insulated Bulkhead Connector Mar 23, 2012 OEM Code 12V-126:79 All the dealerships i contacted to fix this recall never replied to me and The battery connection has ruined my electrical components on my vehicle(Long beach BMW and Cerritos BMW California)
- Seats
About three years ago, we filed a complaint with BMW North America. A problem with the front passenger seat. There was smoke As a result, a hole burned through. after that an error message about the airbag came on. We also didn't know that there was a recall about this problem. we made several calls to the dealership and at the end, they offered to help with only 50% Quote to repair the seat was $2300.00. The car only had 142,000 miles. all the seats were in mint condition. Thank You.
- Electrical system
NEARLY EVERY BMW SUFFERS FROM FAILED WIRING IN THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS A RECALLED OINT OF FAILURE AS IT INVOLVES EVERYBODY ON THE ROAD.
- Fuel system, gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR TWO HOURS THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR OF FUEL DETECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF NASHVILLE (1568 MALLORY LN, BRENTWOOD, TN 37027(615) 928-2541) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FUEL TANK COVER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 149,810.
- SteeringCrash1 injury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXEL SEPARATED FROM THE BODY WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONTACT CRASHING THE VEHICLE. CONTACT STATED ALL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD POP BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. 1 PERSON WAS INJURED WHICH RESULTED IN BACK SORENESS, NO MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MOBILE MAINTENANCE & TOWING LLC (2014 W GARDNER LN, TUCSON, AZ 85705 (520) 900-1196) THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19E058000…
- Engine
SMELL BURNING OR EXHAUSTE FUME IN THE CABIN DURING THE FIRST TWO MILES OF DRIVING THE CAR!
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATIONClosedLed to recall 08V384000
BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S…