2004 BMW 645CI Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles, 7 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 4.4L 8-cyl RWD · 15 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 BMW 645CI (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2004 BMW 645CI. The part named most often is air bags, with 5 complaints (45% of the total), followed by seat belts (4) and electrical system (3). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 14% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 75,000 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 45 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags5 45%
- Seat belts4 36%
- Electrical system3 27%
- Brakes2 18%
- Seats2 18%
- Engine1 9.1%
- Engine cooling1 9.1%
- Steering1 9.1%
Also reported: Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “I have the same problem in which this is the number you have provided but not including my yr. It was only for 2006 models and I have a 2004 but same exact problems. I have read and seen others with the same problem. Some dealerships honored the recall or service offer but they will not for me and this is a safety issue not a luxury option. Nhtsa action number : ea08001 NHTSA recall campaign number : 08v384000.”
NHTSA complaint #10604959, filed 2014-06, 56,555 milesSeat belts: “Passenger restraint system failure fault light has started showing on my Bmw. There has been a recall reported on the same component statement on voluntary recall involving front passenger seat sensor mat on u.s.a. Model bmws - august 13, 2008 . It is NHTSA recall campaign number: 08v384000. I have the same problem so I called Bmw and they stated that my car is not part of the recall. I do not understand how my car is having the exact same problem but is not part of the recall? This is a huge safety issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10554565, filed 2013-12, 37,260 milesElectrical system: “The idrive system in my car continues to cut on and off, this eventually caused my car to shut off on me two times while in traffic with no warning or indication of the shut off. The sensor alert continuously goes off for everything in the car. I took my car to the BMW dealership in Huntsville Alabama, they had my car for almost a month and could not find the issue with the drive or anything the sensors were notifying me of. …”
NHTSA complaint #11431834, filed 2021-09Brakes: “The contact owns a 2004 Bmw 645CI. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number 10v446000 (service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum). The contact stated that a year after the repairs were completed, a brake failure occurred and there had not been a failure present before the vehicle was serviced under the recall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the master cylinder and booster had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10484964, filed 2012-11, 150,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
14% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 61,000 and 90,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2004 BMW 645CI version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 645ci RWD | 4.4L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,350 |
| 645ci RWD | 4.4L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
| 645ci RWD | 4.4L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 17 | $4,850 |
| 645ci Convertible RWD | 4.4L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,350 |
| 645ci Convertible RWD | 4.4L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | 13 | 21 | 16 | $5,150 |
| 645ci Convertible RWD | 4.4L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 13 | 21 | 16 | $5,150 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2004 BMW 645CI in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 45 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system. The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024Electrical system. The 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. This document covers…
- 10194296Apr 1, 2021Steering, Brakes. Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with…
- 10182619Oct 1, 2020Equipment, Electrical system. Discharged 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 led to increased…
- 10152627Nov 1, 2018Equipment. Class action lawsuit settlement: 6 series (e64) convertible top function and operational issues. Information bulletin provides the dcsnet claim submission information.
- 10145306Jun 1, 2018Equipment. NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for…
- 10143564May 1, 2018Equipment. NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for…
- 10154850Feb 1, 2018Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Equipment. SERVICE ACTION REPLACE SUN VISORS. During production; incorrect sun visors were installed which do not conform to airbag label requirements.
- 10146779Nov 1, 2016Electrical system. Diagnosing Stored Fault Codes to Help Avoid Repeat Repair Visits This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B07 03 14 dated October 2015.. Fault codes stored in vehicles being serviced are not…
- 10151335May 1, 2016Equipment. Bluetooth Connection Failures. There are various connectivity failures with the following devices: Apple iPhones Samsung S6 and the S6 Edge. Connectivity failure examples are: Call disconnection…
Other model years of the BMW 645CI
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 33 | 74,115 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 11 | 75,000 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 BMW 645CI have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2004 BMW 645CI as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2004 BMW 645CI is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 5 complaints (45% of the total), followed by seat belts with 4.
Has the 2004 BMW 645CI been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 BMW 645CI get?
The EPA rates the 2004 BMW 645CI (645ci, 4.4L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2004 BMW 645CI reported?
Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 75,000 miles and the middle half falls between 61,000 and 90,000 miles; 14% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.