2004 BMW 1 Series

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Air bags1
2. Engine1
3. Fuel/propulsion system1
4. Steering1
5. Suspension1
6. Visibility/wiper1

Latest complaints

• Jan 11, 2018TX125,000 mi
  Engine · Steering · Suspension

  The '04 bwm 545I has been leaking motor oil throughout the motor gasket and holes. the power steering IS leaking holes connecting to the transmission IS leaking and the reservoir stays low on fuild due to the issue I had to park the car in garage, IS currently not being used because all of these issues not driveable

• Jun 3, 2016CA124,000 mi
  Fuel/propulsion system · Visibility/wiper

  Gas tank IS not registering properly. Gauge shows needing fuel but gas comes out when you are pumping signifying that it IS full. also, pump to windshield wiper fluid IS not working. Dealer refused to fix.

• Jun 6, 2014NY60,000 mi
  Air bags

  TL* the contact owns a 2004 BMW 5301. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The dealer reset the air bag system however, the failure continued to occur. The manufacturer advised the contact that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number 08v384000 (air bags). The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. The current mileage was 61,000.

Service bulletins

Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.

• 10249027The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle discharged battery complaints.
• 10182619Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle "discharged battery" complaints. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root cause of the discharged battery cannot be identified. This increases the chances of a repeat repair.
• 10053585BMW: oil leaks from the air hose on turbocharger. This IS designated for E70, and E90 models with M57Y diesel engines. Service engine soon lamp may be illuminated.
• 10052013BMW: replacement of the OC3 sensor seat mat on the passenger seat. Models E82, E88, E90, E91, E92, E93. Model years unknown. Updated 12/6/13.
• 10052012BMW: battery has an increased demand due to developemental process of the electrical system. This IS causing the batter to need to undergo an energy diagnosis.
• 10051899Instrument cluster display IS intermittently inoperative. BMW F25, and F30 models.
• 10051898Instrument panel and guages are inoperative. BMW model F30.
• 10051897During the scheduled 3 month/ 5,000 mile service it could possibly be determined that some of the contact protective sleeve s in the charging socket may be missing. BMW model E28E.
• 10051892Asc (automatic stability control) operation to sensitive. Cruise control action function can occasionally activate and deactivate due to the asc implausability when the dsc warning lamp IS flashing on the instrument cluster. BMW.
• 10046899BMW: information on maintenance to e motor greasing where the eme/e motor assembly IS removed. The cables, eme high voltage, should be reinstalled in original factory position to avoid contact with exposed fasteners in rear right wheel housing and possible damage to insulation. Model E82E (1series). No model year listed.
• 10045285BMW: water penetrates the passenger compartment due to openings in service transmission tunnel with insufficient sealing, causing carpet to be wet in center tunnel area.
• 10040852BMW: the service engine soon light IS on. There are trouble codes stored for the crankshaft sensor. No driveability issues.
• 10040170BMW: a software error IS causing the the service engine soon light to come on. There will be stored trouble codes.
• 10040045BMW: a new technical support process has been created regarding transmission concerns.
• 10037700BMW: there may be excessive cranking before the vehicle starts. The service engine soon light may also be on with a lack of engine power.
• 10037078BMW: the airbag warning lamp IS illuminated due to a software error.
• 10037025BMW: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty.
• 10036986BMW: mounting tension or the cutout area of the trunk for the light IS causing the third brake light lens to crack. This IS allowing water to leak in. Updated 1/06/12.
• 10036980BMW: a new technical process IS being used on many models to determine the root cause of double-clutch transmission problems.
• 10036979BMW: a new technical process has been created for BMW to identify causes of steering complaints with a wide range of models.
• 10033131BMW vehicles: engine cranks but does not start; fuel level gauge displays a sufficient amount of fuel, although the fuel tank IS empty; fault code 2A1C (fuel level plausibility) IS stored in msv80. Right side fuel sending unit IS dislodged from its bracket due to incorrect assembly. No model years listed. Updated 4/29/11.
• 10033130BMW vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. Where it IS necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel level sensor due to a failure, the entire pump and housing or delivery unit (suction jet assembly) do not need to be replaced as well. In some cases, epc does not show that the repair kit IS available separately in the illustration, but it IS available in the parts description. All models. No model years listed.
• 10031684BMW: complaints that the engine management system has entered the engine failsafe mode and that the turbocharger boost IS reduced. E82, E88, E90, E92, E93, E60, E61, and E71. All models with nay engines. No model years listed. Updated 09/30/11.
• 10031564BMW: cracked third brake light. The mounting tension on the third brake light lens IS causing the lens to crack from the body. When installing or replacing the third brake light, p/n 63 25 7 165 978, additional spacers must be added to the mounting studs to reduce the mounting tension. (E82 E88).
• 10031544BMW: water leaks into either the driver's side or passenger's side footwell during fast cornering. Insufficient sealing at the point of contact between the air conditioning system and the condensation drain hose.
• 10030844BMW vehicles: teileclearing for dynamic stability control (dsc). A part replacement authorization must be obtained by submitting a tc case in puma before any of the following dsc components are replaced under warranty for the vehicles listed in the model section of this bulletin: dsc control module, dsc hydro unit, and yaw rate sensor. No model years listed.
• 10030627BMW vehicle: after rainfall, varying amounts of water may be present in the luggage compartment of the vehicle. This water may be present in either side area, or in the wheel well area. No model years listed.
• 10025983BMW: headlamp moisture: fault diagnostics. Water or condensation in one or both headlamps. Models 5 series, 6 series, 7 series, X5, X6, 1 series, and 3 series. Model years 2000-20008.

Every BMW 1 Series model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.