VehicleVerdict

2004 BMW 6 Series problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 3 complaints on file for the 2004 BMW 6 Series — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

3

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other 6 Series years?

6 Series NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted11 complaints2004: 3 complaints2005: 10 complaints2006: 8 complaints2007: 3 complaints2008: 11 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 0 complaints2012: 3 complaints
6 Series NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 6 Series years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 BMW 6 Series problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System133%
Engine133%
Transmission133%

Does the 2004 BMW 6 Series have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

12E029000EngineAugust 10, 2012 · 585 units

Defect

This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.

Consequence

This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.

Remedy

Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.

12V126000Electrical SystemMarch 26, 2012 · 367,682 units

Defect

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.

Consequence

OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. AS A PRECAUTION, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK OUTSIDE UNTIL THE REMEDY HAS BEEN MADE.

Remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

10V446000BrakesOctober 1, 2010 · 198,352 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

04V344000TransmissionJuly 14, 2004 · 4,102 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8 AND 12 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL (EMC) UNITS WERE NOT PRODUCED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS.

Consequence

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.

04V303000Fuel SystemJune 23, 2004 · 7,532 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8-CYLINDER ENGINES, A CIRCULAR RETENTION CLIP AT THE QUICK-RELEASE COUPLING ALONG THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE WAS INADVERTENTLY NOT INSTALLED.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE FRONTAL CRASH, THE QUICK-RELEASE COUPLING COULD SEPARATE CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CIRCULAR RETENTION CLIP AT THE QUICK-RELEASE COUPLING ALONG THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

VEHICLE STALLS AND DIES WHILE IDLING OR ON TURNING. VEHICLE RESTARTS AFTER STALL, BUT ALL STEERING IS LOST UNTIL RESTARTED. BMW HAS REPLACED THE MAIN COMPUTER CONTROL BOARD TWICE (DME). STALLING IS STILL EVIDENT. TOTAL NUMBER OF KNOWN STALLS - 4. ALSO, BASED ON POSTINGS ON HTTP://BIMMER.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 9, 2004

2004 BMW 645: WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH VEHICLE STALLED AND CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THE ENGINE STALLING PROBLEM RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 2, 2004

2004 BMW 6 Series — common questions

Is the 2004 BMW 6 Series reliable?

The record is thin — 3 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2004 BMW 6 Series have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 BMW 6 Series. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which BMW 6 Series years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 6 Series years to avoid are 2012. The cleanest record among 6 Series years belongs to 2010.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.