2004 BMW 545iProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 44 owner complaints about the 2004 BMW 545i, most often about the air bags. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 29, 2026. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 BMW 545i has problems

44 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags182
Electrical system121
Engine100
Power train82
Seat belts51
Steering40
Electronic stability control (ESC)40
Service brakes30
Exterior lighting30
4 other systems82

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

2004 BMW 545i recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

2004 vs. every other 545i year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 545i median. How we score

'04'05
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What 545i owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

MY CAR HAS THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING EVERYTIME I START MY CAR. THE AIR BAG RECALL IS BY TAKATA IS FOR THE 2003 545I MODEL. MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN SEP OF 2003 WITH THOSE TAKADA AIRBAGS.
Complaint 11306903 · Feb 4, 2020
IN 10/17 I BOUGHT THE ABOVE VEHICLE FROM PRIVATE OWNER. FROM THE TIME I STARTED DRIVING IT TO CURRENTLY, THE CONTROL DISPLAY HAS BEEN SHOWING A PASSENGER AIRBAG AND/ORSEATBEIT WARNING. THE CURRENT WARNING READS: "PASS. RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRIANT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT…
Complaint 11100379 · Jun 7, 2018
SAME PROBLEM EVERYONE ELSE HAS WITH PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. $1500+ REPAIR, BUT WILL DO IT AGAIN, AS IT IS FAULTY PARTS. SOMEONE SITS DOWN IN THE PASSENGER SEAT TOO HARD, AND IT SETS OFF THE WARNING.
Complaint 11096844 · May 19, 2018 · 190,000 miles

Own a 2004 545i?

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