2004 BMW 3 Series Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 19%of 77 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 111,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 BMW 3 Series, 19% of the 77 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 111,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Takata recall: in july, 2015 I received a letter from Bmw (recall notice 15v-318) stating that my driver side air bag should be replaced, but that there was no remedy available and I would be contacted when one is. I've had a couple of service appointments at my local dealership (perillo Bmw in chicago) and each time asked if there was any update on resolution and each time I was either referred to Bmw's corporate customer service or politely told that there was no update. …”
NHTSA complaint #10882125, filed 2016-07, 80,000 miles“Takata recall. This complaint is due to the slow response of nalley Bmw in decatur georgia to replace my airbag. I received my recall letter and immediately called the Bmw dealer on sept 7th. I was told that parts were ordered and I would be called when they arrived. By sept 16th I had heard nothing and called again. Nalley said they had no record of my having ordered parts. I was transferred to the parts department where no one answered the phone. So I called Bmw national customer relations. They said they would contact the dealer and have them get in touch with me directly. …”
NHTSA complaint #10910699, filed 2016-09, 112,000 miles“I drove my car over a very minuscule crack in the road at an extremely low speed as I was making a turn and the passenger side airbag deployed. The car did not have a passenger at the time but the explosion of the airbag simultaneously blocked my view of the right side window while I was making a turn, put me into a state of shock and cut all power from my car. I was very lucky to have been the only person in the car while this happened and I was also fortunate enough to not have crashed into anything while my life was put in such severe danger from the state of chaos this airbag caused. …”
NHTSA complaint #10694898, filed 2015-03, 135,000 miles“No in passenger seat when starting the car and the passenger air bag lamp was illuminated on dashboard. Turned car off and then back on and the light was off. Went about 15 feet and the light came back on. Turns on and off with or without anyone in the seat. Bmw representative stated recall id# 81074 did not relate to my VIN.”
NHTSA complaint #10496099, filed 2013-02, 111,000 miles“I received a recall notice months ago and Bmw has yet to be able to replace airbag!! I drive across country twice a year and have already made the trip once since the recall notice. What can be done to get Bmw to take action?? I can't believe they still have no parts and a long backlog of people waiting after all this time.”
NHTSA complaint #10671000, filed 2015-01Related service bulletins
- 10056098Jun 1, 2014Bmw: some airbags, driver and front passenger, are improperly deploying due to a possible inflator not produced to specifications. Model 2001-2006 e46 (3 series). *pe updated…
- 10029605Aug 1, 2011Bmw 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…
- 10037078Sep 1, 2010Bmw: the airbag warning lamp is illuminated due to a software error.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 3 | 14% |
| 2012 | 1 | 14% |
| 2010 | 10 | 33% |
| 2009 | 15 | 28% |
| 2008 | 10 | 15% |
| 2007 | 35 | 30% |
| 2006 | 101 | 50% |
| 2005 | 16 | 64% |
| 2004 | 15 | 19% |
| 2003 | 21 | 29% |
| 2002 | 6 | 23% |
| 2001 | 8 | 22% |
| 2000 | 11 | 13% |
| 1999 | 3 | 50% |
| 1997 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2004 BMW 3 Series
42 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 BMW 3 Series
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology