2004 Bmw 7 SERIES problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
54,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 23 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 28 complaints (10.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 17.9% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 17.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 14.3% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 7.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Seats | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Seats: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3; Air Bags: 2; Electrical System: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Service Brakes: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2004: 5; 2005: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 4; 2010: 4; 2011: 6; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10369057 · 2010-12-03 (December 3, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ROUTINE REPAIR AND THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED OIL LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP INTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: POWER ASSIST: VACUUM). IN CONJUNCTION TO THE RECALL REPAIR THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY WAS NOT SUFFICIENT AND FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE FAILU…
Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10369057 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10369661 · 2010-12-08 (December 8, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER10V446000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST VACUUM AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT REPLACING THE HOSE WOULD ONLY BE A TEMPORARY REPAIR THAT WOULD CAUSE FUTURE PROBLEMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXI…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10369661 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10087934 · 2004-09-20 (September 20, 2004)
THE HORN DID NOT WORK. AFTER COMPLAINING TO THE DEALER FOR MORE THAN 5 MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THE HORN ONLY WORKED IN CERTAIN PLACES BECAUSE OF THE AIR BAG. *JB THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE HORN PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR THE WAY THE AIR BAG IS SITUATED AND UNFORTUNATELY NO ADJUSTMENTS COULD BE MADE TO THE DESIGN OF THE STEERING WHEEL. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10087934 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10089256 · 2004-09-27 (September 27, 2004)
AFTER TWO WEEKS OF PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL MODE WITH THE GEAR SHIFT STILL IN DRIVE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO OPERATE FOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL TWICE. ON BOTH ITEMS THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *JB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS A 9/1/04 RECALL NOTICE TO REPROGRAM THIS MODEL VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT DURING THIS RECALL PERIO…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,386 miles reported. Look up ODI 10089256 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10232203 · 2008-06-24 (June 24, 2008)
WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP ON AN INCLINE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED FULL CHOCKED TO EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL FREEZES AND CANNOT BE TURNED TO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. IT WILL NOT FREE UP UNTIL I SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE AND BACK UP A FEW FEET. AT THAT POINT IT WILL UNFREEZE WITH A JERK AND OPERATE CORRECTLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON ABOUT 6 OCCASIONS. I NOTIFIED THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, USED WITH 52,000 MILES. IT NOW HAS 55,000 MILES AND I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 9 MONTHS. THE D…
Owner-reported narrative. 54,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232203 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10234466 · 2008-07-15 (July 15, 2008)
WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP ON AN INCLINE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED FULL CHOCKED TO EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL FREEZES AND CANNOT BE TURNED TO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. IT WILL NOT FREE UP UNTIL I SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE AND BACK UP A FEW FEET. AT THAT POINT IT WILL UNFREEZE WITH A JERK AND OPERATE CORRECTLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON ABOUT 6 OCCASIONS. I NOTIFIED THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, USED WITH 52,000 MILES. IT NOW HAS 55,000 MILES AND I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 9 MONTHS. THE DEALERS…
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10234466 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10390217 · 2011-03-15 (March 15, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 760LI. WHILE DRIVING ABOVE 50 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE EXCESSIVELY AND THEN STALL WITHOUT WARNING SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V344000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM). BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PREVIOUS RECALL AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 51,600 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WAS 51,550.
Owner-reported narrative. 51,550 miles reported. Look up ODI 10390217 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10406986 · 2011-06-15 (June 15, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 760LI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLED APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED BOTH HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10406986 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10197541 · 2007-07-26 (July 26, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A WARNING FROM THE COMPUTER TO ENGAGE HIS SEAT BELT. THE SEAT BELTS WERE ALREADY ENGAGED, HOWEVER, HE CONTINUED TO RECEIVE THE MESSAGE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A GLITCH IN THE PROGRAM AND THEY WOULD NEED TO SERVICE THE COMPUTER. APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS LATER, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LEATHER AND WIRING IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE CURRENT MILE…
Owner-reported narrative. 51,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10197541 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10238847 · 2008-08-19 (August 19, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD OVERHEAT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT DOWN AND LOSE POWER. THE SAFETY MECHANISM IN THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT DOWN IF IT SENSED A FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. ON ONE OCCASION, SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER AROUND THE CORNER AND THE OTHER TWO TIMES, SHE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE CODE WAS LOST. THE CONTACT SHOWED THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 44,827 miles reported. Look up ODI 10238847 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10411761 · 2011-07-11 (July 11, 2011)
IN REFERENCE TO BMW 760LI FUEL PUMP. RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE MINE, AFTER CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE THE HIGHWAY. CAR ALSO WAS HARD TO START, HAD TO CRANK ALONG TIME TO BUILD UP ENOUGH PRSSURE TO START. PROBLEM BECAME WORSE OVER TIME. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10411761 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10418645 · 2011-08-12 (August 12, 2011)
HARD TO START, CRANKS FOR A WHILE TILL IT BUILDS UP PRESSURE THEN STARTS. IDLES ROUGH AND SOMETIMES DIES WHEN SITTING AT STOP LIGHT, AND SPUTTERING POWER AT TIME WHEN TAKING OFF, LEAKS FUEL FROM RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL WHEN FILLING WITH FUEL. ALSO STALLS WHILE DRIVING AND TOTAL LOSS OF POWER FOR STEERING AND OTHER CONTROLS, VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT OCCURS. I'M TOLD IT IS THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND I MUST SAY THAT I CANNOT SEE HOW THIS PART CAN BE SO EXPENSIVE ($2,700) AND SURPRISED THAT BMW DID NOT RECALL THESE AND REPLACE IF THIS IN AN EN…
Owner-reported narrative. 64,385 miles reported. Look up ODI 10418645 at NHTSA ↗