2004 BMW 3 Series
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 213 of 554 complaints (38%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (23) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 475 in 2003 to 554 in 2004.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | vs. 2004 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,500–4,300 | 3,500–4,100 | 3,500–4,100 | 3,500–4,100 | 3,700–4,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–22 | 19–22 | 19–22 | 19–22 | 19–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–18 / 23–27 | 16–18 / 23–27 | 16–19 / 23–28 | 16–19 / 23–28 | 16–18 / 23–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 404–494 | 404–468 | 404–468 | 404–468 | 423–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 427 | 475 | 554 | 227 | 1,243 | |
| Recalls issued | 10 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 15 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 17 | 15 | 26 | 8 | 29 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 31 | 20 | 23 | 11 | 40 | |
| Injuries reported | 22 | 25 | 29 | 13 | 23 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2004 BMW 3 Series have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2004 BMW 3 Series?
Visibility & Lighting: 213 of 554 NHTSA complaints (38%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2004 BMW 3 Series get?
EPA rates it 19–22 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2004 BMW 3 Series?
EPA estimates $3,500–$4,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (27)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S5) | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 16 mpg (low) | 24 mpg | 19 mpg (low) | $4,100 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 17 mpg | 26 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S5) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $4,100 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 18 mpg | 27 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic (S5) | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 19 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $3,500 (low) | 404 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 10 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 18 mpg | 27 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 15 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 19 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $3,500 (low) | 404 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 22 | Automatic (S5) | 6 | 3.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $4,100 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 25 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Station Wagons | 19 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $3,500 (low) | 404 g/mi (low) |
Show 14 more configurations
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 11 | Automatic (S5) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 12 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 18 mpg | 27 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 13 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 18 mpg | 27 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 14 | Automatic (S5) | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 16 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 17 | Automatic (S5) | 6 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 18 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 18 mpg | 27 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 19 | Automatic (S5) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 20 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 18 mpg | 27 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 21 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 18 mpg | 27 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 23 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Station Wagons | 18 mpg | 27 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 24 | Automatic (S5) | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Station Wagons | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 26 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Station Wagons | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 27 | Automatic (S5) | 6 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Station Wagons | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 31 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 13 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 63 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 14 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 212 | 18 | 1 | 23 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 30 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 213 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 17 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 20V018000 · Jan 15, 2020
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 15V318000 · May 28, 2015
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.
AIR BAGS · Campaign 14V428000 · Jul 16, 2014
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL · Campaign 11V438000 · Aug 26, 2011
Defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 325I, 325XI, 330I, AND 330XI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2001, THROUGH MARCH 1, 2005. OVER TIME, RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY CAUSE ONE OR MORE REAR LAMP FUNCTIONS (TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND/OR TURN-SIGNAL), WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S BODY PANEL, TO STOP WORKING.
Consequence: INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER · Campaign 07E023000 · Mar 29, 2007
Defect: CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.