2004 BMW 530i Electrical Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  00%
• 25k–50k
  14%
• 50k–75k
  522%
• 75k–100k
  626%
• 100k–150k
  626%
• 150k+
  522%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 BMW 530i owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Unrepaired Recalls (1) 12V-126:79 Safety: Battery Cable - Insulated Bulkhead Connector Mar 23, 2012 OEM Code 12V-126:79 All the dealerships i contacted to fix this recall never replied to me and The battery connection has ruined my electrical components on my vehicle(Long beach BMW and Cerritos BMW California)

About three years ago, we filed a complaint with BMW North America. A problem with the front passenger seat. There was smoke As a result, a hole burned through. after that an error message about the airbag came on. We also didn't know that there was a recall about this problem. we made several calls to the dealership and at the end, they offered to help with only 50% Quote to repair the seat was $2300.00. The car only had 142,000 miles. all the seats were in mint condition. Thank You.

While driving on highway I noticed a smell of burning matter rapidly increasing in the car, immediately followed by a sharp burning sensation in my right thigh. While half-standing I was able to maneuver my car to the highway shoulder. (which was very difficult to do safely, given the traffic was dense and moving with highway speeds.) after I pulled over, turned off the car, came out of the vehicle and looked at the seat, I noticed a burn mark on the leather, exactly where my thigh was when it got burned. It seemed that the seat warmer overheated and burned a hole in the leather. I ventilated the car from the burning odor, which gave enough time for the seat to cool down. After getting to a safer location I tested my theory by turning on the seat warmer ? The issues was reproducible. I went to stevens creek BMW dealership for diagnostics and repairs. …

I own a 2004 BMW 530 I my daghter just came back fro work she parked the car in my drive way and she came inside she had diinner and we got ready for bed at approxmently 11 pm we get a nock on the side window were from the police dept say to evecuate and to come out now when we came out the car was in a fire and the saint cloud fl marshal said the fire start cause due to the battery or the wire in the trunk I called BMW coppert office to let them know and they said they will need to pick up the car to hav enginer to look at the car was tottled BMW after they tool 40 day for evaluation they called me today and only offered to pay $5000.00 toward a certif used or new BMW I told them that this was not acceptable and I told them I will call your copany and they seem not to care I want to make sure every owner out there need to know this can happen to them and that recall that BMW had by …

Subject: 2004 BMW 535i on October 30,2012 just after hurricane sandy hit the east coast of new jersey, I had occasion to use my 535i. While driving I noticed various warning and fault lights flashing on the control panel, loss of power and the cabin began filling with smoke. With great difficulty, I managed to pull across several lanes to the side of the multi-lane highway I was on (route 42n). Upon inspection I found 6-8 inches of water in the trunk wheel well. Under the spare tire I observed a burning and smoking msm power module. I subsequently brought the car to my local BMW dealer in turnersville, nj. The dealer refused any liability or fault for the $3000 repair which included replacing and relocating the msm power module, replacing the radio system, cleaning water stains from the hood liner and trying to alleviate the smoke odor. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 BMW 530i. The contact stated that when he opened the trunk in the rain there were sparks and smoke emitting from the microprocessor (mpm), located under the spare tire well. As a result, the air bag sensor, I-drive and several electrical components on the vehicle were no longer functioning. The manufacturer advised the contact that the dealer could repair the vehicle at his expense. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

Car was going to be purchased on 8/24/2012 was told to drive for the weekend. On 8/27/2012 around 3:00 in the morning (after filling with fuel the prior evening) we heard a loud explosion, then followed by firetrucks and ambulances. Upon inspection the BMW in the parking garage was engulfed in flames, windows had blown out. According to fire marshall fire started at battery in trunk and was ignited by gasoline vapors. Caused major fire damage to car parked next to it as well.

Driver tail light lamp assembly electrical connector overheated, melted and destroyed #1 contact pin and wire. Driver side tail light assembly no longer operate. Brake and signal lighting system degraded exposing vehicle occupants to increased risk of rear-impact, possible electrical fire and death. No part or the light assembly was not subject to any extreme use conditions. No excessive moisture was introduced to the trunk area where the light assembly is located.

The headlight assembly produced by hella contains apparently defective wiring. The insulation on the electrical wires to the high beam bulbs and the parking light bulbs deteriorates and crumbles off leaving exposed electrical wires in the headlight assembly. Moving the wires during removal and replacement of bulbs caused the insulation to break off completely. The problem was just discovered, but was obviously in a state of decay for a long period of time.

There is currently a recall on my 2004 BMW 530i regarding the seat warmers burning the leather and driver. However, the recall covers the backrest and not the seat bottom. After talking to BMW north America, they said the seat bottom was not covered. Can you make them include the seat bottom in the recall? The seat warmers are burning through the seats in both places, and is hot enough to burn the driver in both places.

Electrical complaints in other 530i years