BMW · 6 Series · 2004
5
Recalls
14
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2004 BMW 6 Series has 5 recalls and 14 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: air bags (2 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
The 2004 BMW 6 Series page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is air bags with 2 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
Remedy Status
Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.
Remedy Status
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Remedy Status
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8 AND 12 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL (EMC) UNITS WERE NOT PRODUCED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL UNIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8-CYLINDER ENGINES, A CIRCULAR RETENTION CLIP AT THE QUICK-RELEASE COUPLING ALONG THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE WAS INADVERTENTLY NOT INSTALLED.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CIRCULAR RETENTION CLIP AT THE QUICK-RELEASE COUPLING ALONG THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
My Bmw got impounded illegally from my location where I rent commercial space and there is no signs saying car wheel be parked there at 12 at night this was an illegal tow by tow guys 3823 losse rd 702 598 1630 I payed $474.64 to get my car out impound
The idrive system in my car continues to cut on and off, this eventually caused my car to shut off on me two times while in traffic with no warning or indication of the shut off. The sensor alert continuously goes off for everything in the car. I took my car to the BMW dealership...
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PASSENGER SEAT OC3 OCCUPANCY MAT NOT WORKING-IT SHOWS A FAULT CODE- I TOOK IT TO BIRMINGHAM BMW AND WAS TOLD I HAVE TO GET A NEW BMW BATTERY AND BATTERY CABLE.THEY CHARGED ME $ 120 TO DIAGNOSE THIS PROBLEM BUT DID NOTHING TO FIX THE OC3 MAT THAT IS FAULTING.I HAVE CHECKED ON LI...
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ACTIVE STEERING MALFUNCTION, AIRBAGS LIGHTS, STABLE CONTROLL STEERING WHEEL IS COCKED ABOUT HALF TURN TO DRIVE STREIGHT.
I HAVE WARNING LIGHT WHEN I TURN ON MY CAR THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT AND AIRBAG IS INACTIVE AND THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL... THIS IS SAFETY NOT A LUXURY OPTION... BMW ADVISED ME THAT IT WAS SOME SENSOR AND I ASKED IF I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT WILL THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY THEY SAID THER...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 645CI. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,587.
I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN WHICH THIS IS THE NUMBER YOU HAVE PROVIDED BUT NOT INCLUDING MY YR. IT WAS ONLY FOR 2006 MODELS AND I HAVE A 2004 BUT SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. I HAVE READ AND SEEN OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SOME DEALERSHIPS HONORED THE RECALL OR "SERVICE OFFER" BUT THEY...
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PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE FAULT LIGHT HAS STARTED SHOWING ON MY BMW. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL REPORTED ON THE SAME COMPONENT "STATEMENT ON VOLUNTARY RECALL INVOLVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ON U.S.A. MODEL BMWS - AUGUST 13, 2008". IT IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMB...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 645CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT A YEAR AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, A BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THERE HA...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 645CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED; HOWEVER THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE CONTACT REPEATEDLY ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP....
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 14 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2004 BMW models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2004 BMW 6 Series has 5 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 14 owner-reported complaints for the 2004 BMW 6 Series.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2004 BMW 6 Series.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2004 BMW 6 Series are air bags (2 reports), air bags,seat belts,seats (1 reports), service brakes, hydraulic,service brakes (1 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 5 recalls on record for the 2004 BMW 6 Series. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.