2004 BMW M3 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 23%of 31 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the visibility of the 2004 BMW M3, 23% of the 31 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 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.
“Got into my car in the afternoon and noticed the rear view mirror was distorted. After inspecting, realized that the liquid had separated behind mirror. Had to run an errand. Started driving and then heard a loud pop noise. Looked at mirror and the liquid was very visible moving behind glass. Got to my destination and noticed fluid all over seat and center console. Immediately wiped up and it had already damaged center console in several places. Got it off seat before it damaged the leather. Had to wrap towel around mirror to catch the rest of the fluid leaking out of the bottom. …”
NHTSA complaint #10513011, filed 2013-05, 83,488 miles“Hadn't driven the car in 2 weeks, was out of town. Drove it to work on monday and monday evening or tuesday morning noticed what looked like a bubble at the top of my rear view mirror. By tuesday noon, the bubble was in the center of the mirror and when I came out to the car at about 5:30 that afternoon, there was a liquid substance on my center console that leaked out from the mirror. It was in the mid-90s monday & tuesday. The liquid was caustic as it ate the paint and melted into the plastic console. I wiped it off with a napkin as best I could, but it was embedded in the plastic. …”
NHTSA complaint #10345127, filed 2010-07, 60,000 miles“Liquid leaking from rear view mirror, possibly corrosive as center dome around shifter knob began to peel from contact with liquid. Rear view mirror no longer fully functional; blurry, distorted view.”
NHTSA complaint #10335988, filed 2010-06, 94,000 miles“2004 Bmw M3 auto dimming rearview mirror, mirror leaked caustic/corrosive unknown liquid onto passenger seat and center console, liquid was so corrosive it damaged leather seat and center console, bubbling paint and eating away at leather seat. Apparently this has been happening to alot of Bmw M3's and no recall notice has been issued by Bmw. It appears all over the Bmw forums. I am just glad no one was in car when it leaked or someone's skin could of been burned like it did the leather and center console. It only happened once, no more liquid in rearview mirror.”
NHTSA complaint #10339941, filed 2010-06, 25,340 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
Other parts of the 2004 BMW M3
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 BMW M3
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