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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2004 BMW 545I Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
18%of 44 total for the year
Median mileage
94,282miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 BMW 545I, 18% of the 44 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 94,282 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.

“When beginning to drive, the vehicle would slam to the point where I thought I was rear ended. I took the car to my mechanic and he said it was the transmission and the fix was costly. Continues to do this at times and will also do a smaller scale slam when slowing to a stop light or stop sign.”

NHTSA complaint #10486032, filed 2012-11, 65,000 miles

“I purchased this vehicle thinking that it would be a safe car for my family and friends. The transmission seems to be slipping and an excessively harsh 2-1 downshift occurs when decelerating to a stop. Also, transmission bangs into gear when accelerating from a full or a rolling stop. This occurred several times on a daily basis. One time in specific I was driving with my 4 year old niece and it caused her to become alarmed as well as injure her neck. …”

NHTSA complaint #10632248, filed 2014-09, 113,000 miles

“This transmission is slipping aggressively. It happens on up-shift 1-2 and downshift 2-1. It happens like 4 to 5 times in a week. Also sometimes I get a big slam on both up-shift and downshift... When this happens, the transmission malfunction error message pops up and reduces my movement to safe-mode, unless I shut the engine off and restart the engine. If you take time to go on Bmw forums and blogs, everyone complain about this issue with this 5 series... Please do something.. The passenger airbag restraint error pops up even when someone is not seating on the passenger side.. …”

NHTSA complaint #10786374, filed 2015-10, 122,000 miles

“Intermittent harsh 2-1 downshift (jolt) when coming to a stop with light brake application. Jolts and/or jerks felt when reaccelerating after coasting. Judder when gently accelerating (most noticeable at an engine speed below 2,000 RPM).”

NHTSA complaint #10465857, filed 2012-07, 75,000 miles

“Vehicle slips in an out of 5th and 6th gear when traveling at constant 35 to 40 MPH in auto mode and around 60 MPH in ds mode. Noticeable oil leaks as well as occasional smoke from tailpipe and vehicle bangs into gear ( while downshifting on occasion) also noticed that the electrical system seems to cut out for a split second while driving. Heads up display and radio illustrates this finding as they shut off for a second. The clock is also behind a few minutes / week because of this.”

NHTSA complaint #10511606, filed 2013-05, 87,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20051519%
2004818%

Other parts of the 2004 BMW 545I

Air bags
18 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2004 BMW 545I

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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