repaired · 2021 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2004 BMW M3Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 31 owner complaints about the 2004 BMW M3, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-428 the manufacturer reports only 29% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 22, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 BMW M3 has problems
31 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
9Air bags
6Power train
6Visibility1 crash/fire/injury
3Structure
2Engine
2Exterior lighting
1Tires
1Vehicle speed control
1Visibility/wiper
66 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 9 | 0 |
| Power train | 6 | 0 |
| Visibility | 6 | 1 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 0 |
| 6 other systems | 6 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2004 BMW M3 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2016 Q1
Air bags
Do not driveRisk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator…
repaired · 2017 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.
Best & worst years
2004 vs. every other M3 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 M3 median. How we score
'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'21'22'23'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2004 BMW M3, and the recalls they led to.
- REAR LAMP ILLUMINATIONNo recall
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 22V-945
- REAR LAMP ILLUMINATIONLed to recall 11V-438
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14E-073
In owners' words
What M3 owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Below is a partial email to a BMW Dealer that replaced an airbag 2 1/2 years ago per a recall. The airbag light, convertible top light were both illuminated when I left the dealer. I have sent emails and contacted BMW USA. A friend scanned the car with a Snap-On scanner that showed that the light…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE…
TAKATA RECALL -- IT'S BEEN 2 YEARS SINCE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED, BUT THE MANUFACTURER / DEALERSHIP DO NOT SEEM TO BE ABLE TO GET THE PARTS TO REPAIR MY CAR. THIS ESSENTIALLY RENDERS MY CAR UNSAFE, AND IN MANY WAYS, UNUSABLE. I STILL HAVE NOT HEARD ABOUT A DATE BY WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE /…
Own a 2004 M3?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.