Photo: MrWalkr / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2004 BMW 5 Series: common problems and reliability
· E60One of the worst 5 Series years.
One of the BMW 5 Series years to avoid. All 5 Series years
320 owner complaints, most about air bags. 8 recalls.
Should I buy a 2004 5 Series?The 2004 BMW 5 Series has 320 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: owners report failure between 50k-80k miles, recommending proactive replacement.
Safety record for the 2004 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 BMW 5 Series vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other 5 Series years only. How we score it
Is 2004 a good year for the 5 Series?
Across the 30 5 Series model years we track, complaint volume runs from 17 (2022) to 1,947 (2011). With 320 complaints, the 2004 5 Series sits above the model's median of 111.
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.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2004 5 Series
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 pull force that may allow the rods to detach from the steering knuckle.
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 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.
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, SMALL CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL BE ILLUMINATED.
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, 2006-2011 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.
Show 4 more recalls
service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Campaign 10V446000BMW 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.
seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
Campaign 04V575000ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT HEATING SYSTEMS, UPON ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, EXCESSIVE CONTACT WITH THE SIDE BOLSTER THAT IS CONTAINED IN THE SEAT'S BACKREST MAY DAMAGE THE HEATING MAT LOCATED IN THIS AREA. IF SUCH DAMAGE WERE TO OCCUR, WITH THE SYSTEM TURNED ON, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY FEEL EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THIS AREA.
power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Campaign 04V344000ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8 AND 12 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL (EMC) UNITS WERE NOT PRODUCED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS.
fuel system, gasoline
Campaign 04V303000ON 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.
What owners report on the E60 5 Series
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.
- Very frequentElectric water pump failure
Owners report failure between 50k-80k miles, recommending proactive replacement.
- RecurrentN54 high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure
A known issue on the 535i, requiring warranty replacement.
- RecurrentN54 turbo failure
Turbos can fail, especially on higher-mileage examples.
- RecurrentAutomatic transmission fluid neglect
Owners stress the transmission must be flushed before 100k miles to avoid issues.
- RecurrentPower steering system requiring frequent flushes
The hydraulic system needs regular maintenance to avoid problems.
Owner insights for the E60 5 Series. Read the full E60 owner report.
Typical used price
Used 5 Series listings typically run $13,000–$30,593.
Other 5 Series model years
Compare every 5 Series year side by side to see how 2004 ranks against the rest.
Compare the 5 Series against its rivals
Looking at a specific car?
We're building a full check by VIN: the exact trim and engine, its known problems and recalls, what to inspect, a fair price, and how it compares with its rivals. Get an email when it's ready.
One email when it launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy