The 2004 BMW 5 Series has 319 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and electrical system. Owners most often flag electric water pump failure: frequency: very frequent. owners report failure between 50k-80k miles, recommending proactive replacement.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 BMW 5 Series vehicles (US, public record).
Across the 19 5 Series model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (1996) to 866 (2011). With 319 complaints, the 2004 5 Series sits abovethe model's median of 110.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting
Campaign 19E058000ZF Group North America Operations (ZF) is recalling certain Lemförder Steering Center Rods sold as aftermarket parts for 1996-2004 BMW 5-Series (E39) vehicles. The steering center rods may have an insufficient ball pin p…
electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables
Campaign 12V126000BMW 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 HA…
air bags:frontal
Campaign 08V384000BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT, …
engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan
Campaign 12E029000This 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…
Owners praise the E60 as a great driver’s car with classic BMW steering feel, balanced suspension, and a timeless design that has aged well. Many consider it the last of the true enthusiast BMWs, though opinions are split on its controversial Bangle-era stylin
Owner insights for the E60 5 Series. Read the full E60 owner report.
Used 5 Series listings typically run $15,199–$26,297 across 2011 to 2026 model years.
Compare every 5 Series year side by side to see how 2004 ranks against the rest.