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exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (4)
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist, vacuum
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: POWER ASSIST BRAKING PERFORMANCE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN EXTREME CASES THERE COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AN UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
Seats: front assembly, seat heater/cooler
ON 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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE HEATING MAT IN THE BACKREST'S SIDE BOLSTER COULD OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE, OR MELT A SMALL HOLE IN, THIS AREA OF THE SEAT COVER. IF THIS HAPPENED, IT COULD LEAD TO AN OCCUPANT BEING BURNED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE SEAT HEATING CIRCUIT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Seats
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (ODS) MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RELIABLY DETERMINE IF THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS OCCUPIED.
Risk and remedy
Risk: IN CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG, HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONER, AND KNEE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SOFTWARE FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 13, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Power train: automatic transmission, control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8 AND 12 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL (EMC) UNITS WERE NOT PRODUCED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS.
Risk and remedy
Risk: AS A RESULT, ENGINE STALLING WILL OCCUR AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF OPERATION. THE VEHICLE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART. ALSO, A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND, AFTER REPEATED ACTUATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, A LOSS OF BRAKE POWER ASSIST WILL OCCUR. THESE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
Canadian recalls (6)
Show 6 Canadian recalls
Powertrain
2012-10-17 · campaign 2012-350
On certain vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access option, if the driver depresses the start-stop button multiple times in rapid succession, the transmission could shift to Neutral (N) instead of Park (P). If the driver leaves the vehicle without engaging the parking brake, a sufficient slope could cause the vehicle to roll away. A rollaway vehicle could strike another vehicle, stationary object, or a bystander, causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the Central Gateway Control Module with updated software.
Other
2012-10-17 · campaign 2012-352 · 416 vehicles
On certain vehicles equipped with the Soft Close Automatic, as well as the Comfort Access option, the doors may not latch correctly. Should a door open while the vehicle is underway, an unbelted occupant could fall from the vehicle and sustain personal injury. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the Car Access System Control Module with updated software.
Brakes
2010-10-01 · campaign 2010-328
On certain vehicles, a check valve in the brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil. Over time, this could result in contamination of the brake booster. Loss of brake power assist could occur which, in conjunction with traffic, road conditions, and driver's reactions, could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster and master cylinder. Additionally, the brake vacuum line (including the check valve) will be replaced to eliminate the possibility of oil reaching the brake booster.
Seats and restraints
2004-12-03 · campaign 2004-424
On certain vehicles equipped with heated seats, excessive contact with the seat backrest side bolster upon entering and exiting the vehicle may damage the heating mat located in this area. If this happened, the seated occupant may experience excessive heat in this location. The heating mat could damage, or melt a small hole in the lower portion of the backrest's outboard side bolster. If this were to occur, an electrical/melting smell or small amount of smoke would be noticeable. In some cases, the small hole in the backrest's side bolster could damage the seated occupant's clothing. In rare instances, this could lead to a minor or superficial skin injury. Correction: Dealers will modify the seat heating circuit for the front seat backrests.
Airbag
2004-07-29 · campaign 2004-266 · 191 vehicles
On certain vehicles, the driver's seat occupant detection system may not be able to reliably determine if the driver's seat is occupied. As a result, it is possible that in certain crash conditions, the driver's front airbag, head protection system, safety belt pre-tensioner, and knee airbag may not deploy. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the driver's seat occupant detection system.
Other
2004-07-15 · campaign 2004-246 · 355 vehicles
On certain vehicles, the digital engine management control unit was not produced according to specifications. As a result, engine stalling will occur after a short period of operation. The vehicle may not be able to be restarted. Also, a loss of power steering and, after repeated actuation of the brake pedal, a loss of brake power assistance will occur. If stalling were to occur, the driver would be unable to maintain vehicle speed or accelerate. Steering and braking, while possible, would be difficult. Depending on traffic conditions and the driver's reactions, this could lead to a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the digital engine management control unit.
Owner complaints (28)
Owners filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 BMW 7 Series (1 fires, 2 injuries reported). Among 17 model years of this model, it ranks #2 for the most complaints (median 3).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Power train | 4 | |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 4 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | |
| Electrical system | 3 | |
| Steering | 3 | |
| Seats | 3 | |
| Air bags | 3 | |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 3 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 BMW 7 Series.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2004 BMW 7 Series w/SAB | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2004 BMW 7 Series version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| 745i 4.4 L Automatic (S6) | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,350 |
| 745li 4.4 L Automatic (S6) | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,350 |
| 760i 6.0 L Automatic (S6) | 13 | 21 | 16 | $5,150 |
| 760li 6.0 L Automatic (S6) | 13 | 21 | 16 | $5,150 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.