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Exterior lightingPart report

2004 BMW Z4 Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
1%of 411 total for the year
Median mileage
60,022miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2004 BMW Z4, 1% of the 411 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,022 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.

“I had this car built and I am the only owner and driver. I have had a personal mechanic take meticulous care of it over the years and the car is stored for approximately 6 months/year because I do not drive it in the snow, and frankly, hardly drive it even when raining. However, it never fails that each year some warning light goes on for no apparent reason. Last fall it was the ABS light and the brake light. My mechanic put the car on the computer, and found no issues. …”

NHTSA complaint #11323610, filed 2020-05, 64,043 miles

“I left my Bmw in the sun all day and now my locks wont work. Many resources link this problem to the gm5 which controls the lighting and locks. Bad locks can be a safety and security issue on parked cars but also for moving cars as children may open vehicle doors in traffic.”

NHTSA complaint #10743567, filed 2015-07, 56,000 miles

“Gm5 module fail. When the gm5 module fauls windshield wipers won't work (this could be a big problem if it rains!), interior lights won't work, windows won't go up or down, no alarm functions and of course no automatic door lock control (doors can manually be locked and unlocked as long as the double lock is open.)”

NHTSA complaint #11195746, filed 2019-04, 135,850 miles

“Reoccuring issue: -door locks not functioning by remote or central button -wipers not functioning -trunk release not functioning by remote or button -windows not functioning -lighting of interior not working, to include gauge cluster -top not functioning issues intensify on days of low/higher temperatures. Seems to reset by disconnecting battery and reconnecting after several minutes. Issues points to gm5 module being faulty/failing this is not discovered until you start the car, seems to be a random occurrence, but happens at least once weekly. Sometimes it is multiple times a day.”

NHTSA complaint #11341390, filed 2020-07, 145,000 miles

“Passenger's airbag indication light is malfunctioned. The indication light of passenger's airbag shows always off. Therefore it can't tell the airbag is on or off.”

NHTSA complaint #10575069, filed 2014-03, 47,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2015120%
200726%
200644%
200511%
200461%
200320%

Other parts of the 2004 BMW Z4

Steering
378 complaints
Air bags
18 complaints
Electrical system
14 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
Brakes
3 complaints
Electronic stability control
3 complaints
Body and structure
3 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
3 complaints
Equipment
1 complaints
Other or unknown
1 complaints
Seats
1 complaints
Suspension
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2004 BMW Z4

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