Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2004 BMW 6 Series, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train1
- Electrical system1
- Engine and engine cooling1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
In the Netherlands
419 first registered in 2004 are on Dutch roads; 50% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €123,711.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen256
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde162
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect75
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld74
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm69
- Band onvoldoende profiel63
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)46
- Remleiding door corrosie aangetast35
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
752 cars built in 2004 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 768 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 1,235 of these cars first registered in 2004 took their annual MOT test. 69% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2004 the figure was 56%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2004 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 0.1% | 17.2% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
66 of these cars first registered in 2004 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 214,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
98 2004 cars are on the New Zealand register; 48% arrived as used imports, 48% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
5 Transport Canada recalls for the 2004 BMW 6 Series.
| 2012109 23 Mar 2012 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the insulated bulkhead connector (used to join the two halves of the positive battery cable) may have been incorrectly installed during veh… |
| 2010328 1 Oct 2010 | Brakes On certain vehicles, a check valve in the brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil. Over time, this could result in contamination of the br… |
| 2004246 15 Jul 2004 | Other On certain vehicles, the digital engine management control unit was not produced according to specifications. As a result, engine stalling will occur after a s… |
| 2004196 11 Jun 2004 | Fuel System On certain vehicles equipped with an 8-cylinder engine, the circular retention clip at the quick-release coupling along the fuel supply line was inadvertently o… |
| 2004103 18 Mar 2004 | Label On certain 645CI cabriolet and 645CI coupe, the sun visor airbag warning label does not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 208. These cars do not have advan… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8 AND 12 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL (EMC) UNITS WERE NOT PRODUCED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 2004 BMW 6 Series: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10249437 | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| 10249027 | 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. |
| 10182619 | Discharged 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 caus |
| 10052012 | BMW: 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. *KB |
| 10043714 | BMW: STEERING COLUMN SWITCH CENTER CONTAINS ONE OR MORE FAULTS: INTERNAL CONTROL, STEERING WHEEL LOCK RANGE EXCEEDED, WIPER ANGLE DEFECTIVE. VARIOUS CHECK CONTROL MESSAGES APPEAR WITH AIRBAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. *PE |
| 10040853 | BMW: A GRINDING NOISE IS COMING FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL DURING SLOW CORNERING. WHEN TURNING A SLIP/STICK EFFECT IS CREATED ON THE LINING AND STEEL DISCS INCORPORATED IN THE DIFFERENTIAL CLUTCH CAUSES A GRINDING NOISE. *RM |
| 10040045 | BMW: A NEW TECHNICAL SUPPORT PROCESS HAS BEEN CREATED REGARDING TRANSMISSION CONCERNS. *RM |
| 10037025 | BMW: PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING AND REPLACING INCANDESCENT AND HALOGEN LIGHT BULBS UNDER WARRANTY. *RM |
| 10033130 | BMW 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. *PE |
| 10032990 | BMW: DIAGNOSIS OF DME ME 9.2 MAP THERMOSTAT FAULT 2EF4/279B. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE DOES NOT OVERHEAT AND THE MAP THERMOSTAT OPERATES PROPERLY. POSSIBLE CAUSES ARE DETERIORATION OF COOLANT QUALITY; INCREASED CONTACT RESISTANCE BETWEEN THE THERMOSTAT TEMPERATURE SENSOR, THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AND THE DME CONNECTOR; INTERNAL DEFECT OF A MAP COOLING THERMOSTAT. *PE UPDATED 11/17/10. *PE |
| 10032987 | BMW: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER-FAILURE OF DISPLAYS/FUNCTIONS. TOTAL OR PARTIAL FAILURE OF DISPLAYS OR FUNCTIONS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE DISPLAYS OR FUNCTIONS START WORKING AGAIN AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED (SLEEP MODE). INTERNAL ERROR IN THE PROCESSING OF INCOMING MESSAGES FROM THE K CAN BUS. THERE MAY BE VARIOUS CAN MESSAGE ERRORS STORED IN THE FAULT MEMORY. *PE |
| 10032849 | BMW VEHICLE: DSC DISABLING FUNCTION. DUE TO REVISED DME, DSC AND CCC SOFTWARE, THE MDM (M DYNAMIC MODE) BUTTON LOCATED IN THE CENTER CONSOLE SWITCH CLUSTER (SZM) NOW HAS TRIPLE FUNCTIONALITY-DEFAULT STATE-DSC ON; SHORT PRESS-MDM ON (GREEN MDM INDICATOR DISPLAYED IN THE CLUSTER); PRESS AND HOLD-DSC OFF (YELLOW DSC INDICATOR DISPLAYED IN THE CLUSTER; MESSAGE APPEARS IN THE CONTROL DISPLAY). NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
| 10032827 | BMW VEHICLES: DSC DISABLING FUNCTION. DSC OFF FUNCTION HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN M5 AND M6 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
| 10032825 | BMW VEHICLE: SPORT TRANSMISSION PADDLE SHIFTERS INOPERATIVE-DIAGNOSIS. THE DIRECT COMMUNICATION INPUT LINE BETWEEN THE PADDLE SHIFTERS AND THE EGS TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE IS INTERRUPTED. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
| 10032781 | BMW VEHICLE: DRIVEABILITY COMPLAINTS DUE TO COOLING FAN RELAY FAILURE. THE CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF INTERMITTENT DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS, DESCRIBED AS-ENGINE IS LACKING POWER WHEN ACCELERATING UPHILL; TRANSMISSION WILL NOT UPSHIFT UNDER HEAVY ACCELERATION; DISTINCT HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM 30-45MPH. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
| 10032780 | BMW VEHICLE: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED: S85-VARIOUS VANOS RELATED FAULTS STORED. (E60 (5SERIES), E63 & E64 (6SERIES). NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
| 10029684 | BMW: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP OR THE CHECK GAS CAP WARNINGS ARE ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. WHEN DIAGNOSED, THE DME HAS STORED FAULTS FOR SMALL LEAK, MICRO LEAK, SUPER FINE LEAK, OR LARGE LEAK IN RELATION TO THE TANK VENTILATION OR EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM *PE UPDATED 10/27/09. *PE |
| 10029605 | BMW SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. THE AIRBAG WARNING LAMP (AWL) IS ILLUMINATED, TOGETHER WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP (POL). THE PROBLEM MAY BE INTERMITTENT. MICROCRACKS IN THE OC3 SEAT MAT. *PE UPDATED 9/30/11. *PE |
| 10029257 | BMW: ALL INSTRUMENT DIALS ARE INOPERATIVE AND THE ILLUMINATION OF THE INFORMATION DISPLAY IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS VERY BRIGHT. *PE |
| 10029025 | BMW: SMALL NUMBER OF VEHICLES EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS RANGING FROM LEAKING OIL FILLER CAPS, LEAKING OR BROKEN VALVE COVERS, TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE IN EXTREMELY COLD CLIMATE CONDITIONS. MOISTURE ACCUMULATING IN ENGINE CRANKCASE VENTILATION VALVE OR HOSES CAN FREEZE DUE TO LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. *PE |
| 10028366 | BMW VEHICLE: MODIFYING THE REAR WATER DRAIN HOSES. OVER TIME THE 4 DRAINS MAY BECOME BLOCKED BY LEAVES AND DEBRIS. ONCE CLOGGED, WATER MAY COLLECT AND OVERFLOW INTO TRUNK, DAMAGING VARIOUS ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS. *PE |
| 10025983 | BMW: 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. *PE |
| 10025581 | WATER INGRESS AT THE DOORS: SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS. MODEL VEHICLE E64 (6 SERIES CONVERTIBLE). MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *PE |
| 10025571 | INSTRUMENT CLUSTER: FAILURE OF DISPLAYS/FUNCTIONS. MODEL E60, E61 (5 SERIES) AND E63, E64 (6 SERIES). *PE |
| 10012788 | LOSS OF POWER WHILE DECELERATING AND TURNING OR COMING TO A STOP. *EH BMW 5 SERIES, 6 SERIES, 7 SERIES PRODUCED BETWEEN 09/03 TO 8/04. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)