The Lemon IndexAll cars · BMW 5 Series · 2004
2004 BMW 5 Series. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 6
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | RWD | 17 / 26 / 20 | Premium | $3,850 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | Auto (S6) | RWD | 17 / 26 / 20 | Premium | $3,850 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | RWD | 18 / 27 / 21 | Premium | $3,700 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | Auto (S6) | RWD | 18 / 27 / 21 | Premium | $3,700 |
| 4.4L 8-cyl | Auto (S6) | RWD | 16 / 24 / 19 | Premium | $4,050 |
| 4.4L 8-cyl | Manual 6-spd | RWD | 15 / 23 / 18 | Premium | $4,300 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 60,000 and 114,400 miles. Median 86,000, from 275 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 85,000 | 62,000–106,600 | 115 |
| Electrical | 97,500 | 73,400–156,100 | 62 |
| Seats | 87,200 | 54,200–116,200 | 50 |
| Seat belts | 99,700 | 54,500–142,700 | 29 |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 74,000 | 52,300–114,100 | 30 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Airbags | 19% |
| Tires | 17% |
| Electrical | 14% |
| Body structure | 11% |
| Seats | 11% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 321 | 7 | 50 | 18 | 0 | 2 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | Bmw airbag light illumination | 2008 | 2008 |
Manufacturer communications 95
BMW filed 95 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- Battery Replacements
- "N54 Engine: Diagnosis of Cold Start Rough Running with Misfire Faults
- "Discharged Battery: Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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