Electrical systemPart report

2004 BMW 3 Series Electrical system Problems

Complaints: 12about this part
Share: 16%of 77 total for the year
Median mileage: 93,750miles
Trend: Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 BMW 3 Series, 16% of the 77 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 93,750 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My vehicle unexpectedly started on fire as my daughter was driving to school. It was determined that it was an electrical fire, and resulted in the car being totaled. The 2004 models need to be included in the recall (not that it will help with the loss of my car).”

NHTSA complaint #11044451, filed 2017-11, 204,000 miles

“I was not able to unlock my car with my car key. I was able to hear the click sound on pressing the unlock button on the key but nothing was happening. After numerous attempts for about 10 minutes car got unlocked. Now I'm having this problem on/off basis. I took the car to the local Bmw dealer. After diagnose they said I have a failed general module which will cost me around $1000. This is way too much for car for it's total value of around $7000. This is scary since I'm not able to trust the locking system on my car. …”

NHTSA complaint #10671485, filed 2015-01, 128,000 miles

“The heating element on my 2004 Bmw x3 caught on fire while I was driving. I don't use it often, but had noticed a hot smell when I did use it and that it would be too warm in the lumbar and hip region. The fire actually burned about a dime size hole in the driver side left seat panel (under the thigh). After reading of many others having the same or worse experiences, I am glad I immediately shut if off, although it still burned all the way through the leather. Please advise me of next steps I should take. I have shut off the heater and will no longer use it. …”

NHTSA complaint #10652062, filed 2014-11, 74,000 miles

“As reported by other owners, the bi-xenon headlights no longer light up the road. It is a safety hazard and is a known issue with headlights manufactured by zkw on 2003-2005 Bmw 330 models. The reflector bowls on these units burn out over time and reduce the headlights ability to reflect light. Driving at night is literally no better with the headlights on or off. I have to rely on my fog lights just to see anything. Please look into this safety issue as it is wide-spread. Replacement of headlights is expensive at $1300 ea, this has to be resolved by Bmw immediately.”

NHTSA complaint #10628093, filed 2014-08, 45,000 miles

“Wire loosing coating on inside of adaptive headlights, causing shorts or broken wires where the headlights and or turn signals will fail to work. Wire is very brittle as this is also roughly 20 gauge wire. This can be an extreme hazard especially at night. This seems to be affecting Bmw's 3/5/6/ series from at least 2004 to 2008 from my independent research. Many pictures and complaints on various Bmw forums to document this problem. My problem occurred when I lost one headlight on my way home in the dark and an indicator came on to identify a fault in the headlight. …”

NHTSA complaint #10651507, filed 2014-10, 156,000 miles

Related service bulletins

10249437Jan 16, 2024The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
10249027Jan 11, 2024The 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…
10182619Oct 1, 2020Discharged 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…
10037079Oct 1, 2014Bmw: service engine soon light is on. The vehicle lost power and the engine cranks with no start. *rm updated 5/19/15.
10052012Mar 1, 2013Bmw: 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.
10051519Dec 1, 2012Bmw: the high-voltage (hv) battery cells could be damaged if the vehicle is prevented from entering sleep mode for an extended period of time. Updated 03/11/2013
10040736Jul 1, 2011Bmw: various functions in the vehicle are not working including: instruments, door locks, wipers, and other electrical functions. There may also be warning lights on. K-can…
10040049Apr 1, 2011Bmw: a software problem is causing one or both of the seat belt assistants to not extend fully or may not extend at all. The position at which the assistant comes to rest varies…
10040170Mar 1, 2011Bmw: a software error is causing the the service engine soon light to come on. There will be stored trouble codes.
10028370Nov 1, 2010Bmw: check engine lamp illuminated and/or vehicle overheats. Models e83, e85, e86, e70, e90, e91, e92, e93, e60 and e61. *pe updated 5/24/11.

Electrical system: other model years

Year	Complaints	Share of year
2013	7	33%
2010	5	17%
2009	8	15%
2008	19	28%
2007	31	27%
2006	32	16%
2005	2	8%
2004	12	16%
2003	12	16%
2002	6	23%
2001	6	17%
2000	4	5%
1999	1	17%
1997	1	20%

Other parts of the 2004 BMW 3 Series

Exterior lighting
42 complaints Air bags
15 complaints Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints Brakes
3 complaints Latches, locks and linkages
3 complaints Seats
2 complaints Body and structure
2 complaints Transmission and drivetrain
2 complaints Fuel system
1 complaints Seat belts
1 complaints Steering
1 complaints Suspension
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 29, 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