2004 BMW 7 Series Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 2004 BMW 7 Series, and owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
4 safety recalls for the 2004 BMW 7 Series
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Vacuum (service brakes)
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.
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.
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Seat heater/cooler (seats)
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with front seat heating systems, upon entering and exiting the vehicle, excessive contact with the side bolster that is contained in the seat's backrest may damage the heating mat located in this area. If such damage were to occur, with the system turned on, the vehicle occupant may feel excessive…
Remedy: Dealers will modify the seat heating circuit. The recall is expected to begin during december 2004. Owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
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Seats
On certain passenger vehicles, the software programming of the driver's seat occupant detection system (ods) may not be able to reliably determine if the driver's seat is occupied.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the software for the driver's seat occupant detection system. The recall began october 13, 2004. Owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
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Power train: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 8 and 12 cylinder engines, the digital engine management control (emc) units were not produced according to specifications.
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.
28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2004 BMW 7 Series have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 2 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 59,588 miles. Complaints peaked in 2011 with 6 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“I have been getting this error in my idrive system: "fault in passive restraint system affecting AIRBAG, belt tensioner or belt-force limiter. Fasten and continue to wear belts. Please contact the nea”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 2, 2016 · Air bags
“The rear side door unexpectedly open while driving, a week later the other side did the same thing the for open then it closed by its self. I was driving straight on a highwsy.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 22, 2015 · Electrical system
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2004 BMW 7 Series (745i, 745li, 760i, 760li). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 16–19 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 13–16 / 21–24 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Large Cars |
| Engine | 8/12 cyl, 4.4/6 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
Compare BMW 7 Series model years
Recall and complaint counts for every BMW 7 Series model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 BMW 7 Series | 0 | 2 |
| 1996 BMW 7 Series | 0 | 1 |
| 1997 BMW 7 Series | 0 | 2 |
| 1999 BMW 7 Series | 0 | 2 |
| 2000 BMW 7 Series | 0 | 2 |
| 2001 BMW 7 Series | 0 | 2 |
| 2002 BMW 7 Series | 1 | 4 |
| 2003 BMW 7 Series | 2 | 8 |
| 2004 BMW 7 Series | 4 | 28 |
| 2005 BMW 7 Series | 1 | 4 |
| 2006 BMW 7 Series | 2 | 29 |
| 2007 BMW 7 Series | 1 | 13 |
| 2008 BMW 7 Series | 1 | 11 |
| 2009 BMW 7 Series | 2 | 9 |
| 2010 BMW 7 Series | 2 | 2 |
| 2011 BMW 7 Series | 1 | 3 |
| 2012 BMW 7 Series | 1 | 2 |
Checking a specific 2004 BMW 7 Series
How do I know if my 2004 BMW 7 Series has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 2004 BMW 7 Series; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised BMW dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 04V344000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other BMW models
- X53,154 complaints
- 328I2,578 complaints
- X32,004 complaints
- 325I1,386 complaints
- Z41,281 complaints
- 3 Series843 complaints
- 528I835 complaints
- 330I815 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.