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U.S. public vehicle records

2004 Bmw M3 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

31 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

77,994 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 31 complaints (29.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting412.9%
Braking behavior26.5%
Electrical and battery issues26.5%

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.

Air Bags
9
Power Train
4
Visibility
4
Engine
2
Exterior Lighting
2
Structure:Body
2
Electrical System
1
Engine And Engine Cooling
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags9
Power Train4
Visibility4
Engine2
Exterior Lighting2
Structure:Body2
Electrical System1
Engine And Engine Cooling1

Air Bags: 9; Power Train: 4; Visibility: 4; Engine: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
5
50,000 to 74,999
6
75,000 to 99,999
6
100,000 to 149,999
5
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9995
50,000 to 74,9996
75,000 to 99,9996
100,000 to 149,9995
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 0

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 9 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.

2008
1
2009
1
2010
5
2011
2
2012
3
2013
5
2014
4
2015
2
2016
5
2019
1
2022
1
2026
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20081
20091
20105
20112
20123
20135
20144
20152
20165
20191
20221
20261

2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 5; 2011: 2; 2012: 3; 2013: 5; 2014: 4; 2015: 2; 2016: 5; 2019: 1; 2022: 1; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 10386218 · 2011-03-02 (March 2, 2011)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIP OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD A SMG TRANSMISSION, THE FAILURE WOULD NOT ALLOW THE CONTACT TO ACCELERATE AND HE WOULD HAVE TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART TO ALLOW THE GEAR TO RE-ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER YET HE WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10386218 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10422714 · 2011-08-31 (August 31, 2011)

THE SMG TRANSMISSION IN A 2004 BMW M3 WILL RANDOMLY SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL DISABLING THE VEHICLE ON HOT DAYS WITHOUT WARNING. OCCURS ON ANY DAY WHERE TEMPERATURES EXCEED 95 DEGREES. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10422714 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10246544 · 2008-10-23 (October 23, 2008)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW M3. WHILE DRIVING 65-70 MPH, THE CALIPERS LOCKED SUDDENLY. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND WAITED FOR THE CALIPERS TO COOL DOWN IN ORDER TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. CURRENTLY, THE DEALER IS REPLACING THE CALIPERS, ROTORS, AND BRAKE PADS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 37,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10246544 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10535258 · 2013-08-14 (August 14, 2013)

THE REAR LAMPS IN MY BODY PANEL THAT HOUSE THE BRAKE LAMP, TURN SIGNAL, AND TAIL LAMP STOPPED WORKING AND NEEDED TO BE FULLY REPLACED. MY CAR IS A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE. THIS SAME ISSUE WAS THE SUBJECT OF NHTSA #11V438000. HOWEVER, THIS RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE M3, JUST ALL OF THE OTHER 3 SERIES BMWS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A COSTLY REPAIR FOR ME. THIS IS THE REFERENCE FOUND ON YOUR WEBSITE AND MY ISSUES ARE IDENTICAL TO THIS SUMMARY: NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V438000 REAR LAMPS IN BODY PANEL SUMMARY: BMW IS RE…

Owner-reported narrative. 31,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10535258 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11197351 · 2019-04-19 (April 19, 2019)

WIRING PROBLEM WITH FACTORY HEADLIGHTS. THIS ISSUE CAUSES HEADLIGHTS TO FLICKER AND EVENTUALLY TURN OFF. IT HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND SITTING STILL.

Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11197351 at NHTSA ↗