2004 BMW 3 Series Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 1%of 77 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 79,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the fuel system of the 2004 BMW 3 Series, 1% of the 77 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,000 miles.
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.
“Every summer since 2008 when the gas tank is full or near full, fuel drips from the gas tank during hot weather. Replacing the solenoid as was recommended has not solved this problem. I have found the gas dripping on several occasions during hot weather only when the tank is full or near full. This occurs with the car being parked in the sun with the engine not running. …”
NHTSA complaint #10481479, filed 2012-10, 79,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10036984Jun 1, 2010Bmw: it is now possible to perform a fuel quality detection test on vehicles with an n54 engine.
- 10036981Jun 1, 2010Bmw: warning message on about low diesel exhaust fuel level and that the engine will not restart within 999 miles. The light comes on a few thousand miles earlier than a…
- 10033130Dec 1, 2009Bmw 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…
- 10033131Oct 1, 2009Bmw vehicles: engine cranks but does not start; fuel level gauge displays a sufficient amount of fuel, although the fuel tank is empty; fault code 2a1c (fuel level plausibility)…
- 10032989Dec 1, 2007Bmw: fuel level sensor repair procedure. The case where it is necessary to replace the right side fuel level sensor due to a failure, the entire pump and housing does not need to…
- 10032814Nov 1, 2007Bmw vehicle: s54-catalyst protection mode while the vehicle is low on fuel. Complaints that the vehicle has no power during heavy acceleration. Fuel reserve light is illuminated…
- 10032812Nov 1, 2007Bmw vehicle: m54/m56-mixture too lean-fault codes 2882/2883 are stored in the dme. Complaints that service engine soon light is illuminated. The fault codes 2882/2883-fuel trim…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 5% |
| 2012 | 2 | 29% |
| 2010 | 3 | 10% |
| 2009 | 10 | 19% |
| 2008 | 8 | 12% |
| 2007 | 12 | 10% |
| 2006 | 3 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% |
| 2003 | 3 | 4% |
| 2002 | 1 | 4% |
| 2001 | 6 | 17% |
| 2000 | 2 | 2% |
| 1999 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2004 BMW 3 Series
42 complaintsAir bags
15 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 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