Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 BMW 5 Series owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While traveling and slowing down to make a turn into a business, the car beside me (left of me) makes a quick fast u turn and ends up hitting my car. Airbags deployed, hitting me into my face/head very hard. I have been in treatment since. I have had to have major surgery on my neck, still have problems and May need more surgery. My neck will not be the same and always in pain. I have loud ringing in my ears that is permanent. I have headaches with sinus problems. I believe I would have been fine with my seat belt on. I feel like the airbags should have not deployed under these conditions. I now suffer from depression, can't work doing what I have done for over 20 years now and anything else very long with out being in pain in my neck. I am very upset over this.
Tl contact owns a 2004 BMW 5 Series. The contact noticed a burning smell and felt something burning her leg. She sustained burns to her thigh and buttocks area due to the seat warmer. The manufacturer was unable to assist. The contact was able to locate NHTSA campaign id number 08V384000 (air bags:frontal) for the same year, make, and model vehicle. She also stated that the passenger side air bag was inoperable. The manufacturer advised her to expect a recall on the air bag; however, without a recall, they could not assist. The manufacturer stated that there were no open recalls based on her VIN, but NHTSA campaign id number 04V575000 (seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler) was referenced. The failure and current mileages were less than 54,000.
Passenger seat/airbag warning malfunction. This warning has been on since I purchased vehicle. It is obviously the common seat mat sensor failure. And it would appear that either my VIN isn't on the previous recall or it has expired for my year and model. But my wife sits in that seat and if we have an accident and her airbags do not deploy whose fault will that be?
I had my 2004 BMW 525i in the dealer for the air bag seat mat recall in March '09 and had no problems before with the air bag system before this recall was performed. On December 23, 2009 the vehicle was parked at a local mall while we were doing some christmas shopping. Come out from shopping and start the vehicle to find the passenger air bag off light illuminated, air bag light illuminated on cluster, and then the I-drive stated fault in passenger side air bag system. I contacted the dealer as the previous repairs were only completed 9 months and 4K miles ago, vehicle has 62K on it now. Dealer states front crash sensors are bag and the bill will be $700. The repairs required the removal of the bumper, remove and replace air bag sensors, and programming. …
The problem started about half a year ago when the passenger air bag on/off lamp illuminated for a couple of minutes and then went off, all with the passenger present in the car with the seat belt on. A few days ago the air bag warning lamp and the passenger air bag on/off lamp illuminated while there was no passenger in the car. The message indicated that the air bag May not work... These symptoms look very similar to the problem identified in one of the recalls for this car; however when I called BMW, they indicated that my car is not part of this recall and I will have to pay to fix this.
I own a 2004 BMW 545i sedan and the passenger airbag light came on for a while already, and I read about the recall on your website and called BMW na and they told me that my car was not under the recall. And told me to bring it to one of the BMW dealers to get it fix which I will have to pay for. I checked at one of the BMW dealerships and they told me it will cost me more than $1000.00 to fix the passenger\'s seat airbag sensor. I just don't understand why my car is not under their recall list when my car matches the exact description of the recall they are having?! Please help. Thank you!
I own a 2004 545i and the airbag light came on. I have never had an accident or anything in this car. I took it to a local auto shop to have it diagnosed and it showed that the passenger airbag light was faulty. When I researched it on the internet, I found a recall for the passenger airbag sensor which specifically fit my 2004 545i BMW. When I called the BMW dealership they claimed that my car was not included in the recall and it would cost me about $1200.00 to fix! How can this be when the recall specifically fits the description of my vehicle? Please help!!
I own a 2004 BMW 530i. As I was pulling out of my drive-way, the passenger restraint malfunction light appeared and has not gone off. I took it to the dealer, before I became aware of the recall, and he told me it was because I placed my purse in the passenger seat. After searching his database, he told me it was not under warranty and therefore, I would have to pay the total cost to repair it. I would believe this if my vehicle wasn't a 2004 and I have been placing my purse in the passenger seat since I first purchased it brand new in 2004!
In March passenger side seat belt air bag light turn on for no reason. I have searched on the internet and come to know that there was a recall on this issue from BMW for 2004 525i Series. I call local dealership BMW of plano texas and provide them my VIN number and other information and they said it is not covered. Even though it is noted on NHTSA site that 100K or 10 yrs this recall is covered. Not sure what can I do as this is real serious issue where air bag will not be enabled even if a passenger sit in the seat
Dt: 2004 BMW 530 I. The consumer complained about several electrical problems, such as air bag warning light coming on/windows rolling down and then malfunctioning/trunk opening, and halo lights staying on. The OnStar or sos systems was not working. Took the vehicle to the dealership. The manufacturer considered this vehicle a lemon. The dealership and manufacturer were not complying with the lemon law. This process was to buy back the vehicle. They were taking too long to resolve this matter.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
BMW is recalling 200,000 my 2006 3 series sport seat, my 2004-2006 5 series standard and sport seat, and my 2004-2006 x3 passenger vehicles. Depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger's entry and exit, small cracks have developed in the mat.
Remedy: Dealers will rework the front passenger seat sensor mat so that external force application to the seat does not cause a crack to the mat. The recall began on November 6, 2008.
NHTSA investigations
BMW airbag light illumination
BMW is conducting a safety recall campaign on approximately 200,000 my04 through my06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05 to correct the front passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat. The specific vehicles included in the recall aremy04- 06/ 5-series with standard and sport seats, my04-06/ x3-series and my06/ 3-series with sport seats.
Airbag complaints in other 5 Series years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2004 BMW 5 Series?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 BMW 5 Series, 45% of the model year's 64 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 BMW 5 Series airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 08V-384 (frontal, Aug 5, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 BMW 5 Series airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 2 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.