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Electrical systemPart report

2004 BMW 530I Electrical system Problems

Complaints
28about this part
Share
22%of 129 total for the year
Median mileage
98,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 BMW 530I, 22% of the 129 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 7 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“My vehicle is a 530I with a production date in march 2004, it is my contention that the vehicle should be subject to recall rcdnn-04v575. Despite the december 2004 notice to ntsha indicating that 100% of vehicles with the seat heating option produced between june 17th 2003 and april 30th 2004. Bmw insists that my vehicle (production date in march 2004 and containing the seat heater in question) is, according to internal documents which they will not release to me, not in fact subject to the recall. …”

NHTSA complaint #10565281, filed 2014-02, 87,500 miles

“My vehicle is a 530I with a production date in december 2003, it is my contention that the vehicle should be subject to recall rcdnn-04v575. Despite the december 2004 notice to ntsha indicating that 100% of vehicles with the seat heating option produced between june 17th 2003 and april 30th 2004. Bmw insists that my vehicle (production date in december 2003 and containing the seat heater in question) is, according to internal documents which they will not release to me, not in fact subject to the recall. …”

NHTSA complaint #10652478, filed 2014-11, 84,200 miles

“Subject: 2004 Bmw 535i on october 30,2012 just after hurricane sandy hit the east coast of new jersey, I had occasion to use my 535i. While driving I noticed various warning and fault lights flashing on the control panel, loss of power and the cabin began filling with smoke. With great difficulty, I managed to pull across several lanes to the side of the multi-lane highway I was on (route 42n). Upon inspection I found 6-8 inches of water in the trunk wheel well. Under the spare tire I observed a burning and smoking msm power module. …”

NHTSA complaint #10779408, filed 2015-10, 58,702 miles

“Idrive is totally black, including all dashboard functions, no wipers or power to windows, only my engine runs. I was told by the dealer that water got into the sunroof and leaked to the truck near tire and cause two gaskets to burn out. I am told that the cost to repair is $1650 or $2950 depending on which option I choose. I am also told that the problem may return. This problem appears to be a manufacturer issued but the consumer has to pay out of pocket for the repair cost, even though through no fault of our own the problem exists.”

NHTSA complaint #10520676, filed 2013-06, 68,000 miles

“While driving on highway I noticed a smell of burning matter rapidly increasing in the car, immediately followed by a sharp burning sensation in my right thigh. While half-standing I was able to maneuver my car to the highway shoulder. (which was very difficult to do safely, given the traffic was dense and moving with highway speeds.) after I pulled over, turned off the car, came out of the vehicle and looked at the seat, I noticed a burn mark on the leather, exactly where my thigh was when it got burned. It seemed that the seat warmer overheated and burned a hole in the leather. …”

NHTSA complaint #10692207, filed 2015-03, 127,437 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202418%
2021424%
2020330%
2019640%
201828%
2017211%
20071622%
20061619%
20051017%
20042822%
2003817%
200213%
200128%
1995240%
1994222%

Other parts of the 2004 BMW 530I

Air bags
49 complaints
Seats
29 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
11 complaints
Steering
9 complaints
Seat belts
8 complaints
Engine
5 complaints
Engine cooling
5 complaints
Body and structure
5 complaints
Fuel system
4 complaints
Exterior lighting
3 complaints
Tires
3 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2004 BMW 530I

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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