2004 BMW 5 Series

Defect. ZF Group North America Operations (ZF) is recalling certain Lemförder Steering Center Rods sold as aftermarket parts for 1996-2004 BMW 5-Series (E39) vehicles. The steering center rods may have an insufficient ball pin pull force that may allow the rods to detach from the steering knuckle.

Risk. If the steering rod detaches from the steerable wheel knuckle, it can cause sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. ZF has notified the parts distributors, instructing them to inform the end customer. ZF will reimburse them for the affected parts. The recall began August 28, 2019.

Defect. This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.

Risk. This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.

Remedy. Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.

Defect. BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.

Risk. OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. AS A PRECAUTION, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK OUTSIDE UNTIL THE REMEDY HAS BEEN MADE.

Remedy. BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

Defect. BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Risk. POWER ASSIST BRAKING PERFORMANCE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN EXTREME CASES THERE COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AN UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.

Defect. 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. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL BE ILLUMINATED.

Risk. IN THIS SITUATION THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE.

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. BMW WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE VEHICLES TO 10 YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT HEATING SYSTEMS, UPON ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, EXCESSIVE CONTACT WITH THE SIDE BOLSTER THAT IS CONTAINED IN THE SEAT'S BACKREST MAY DAMAGE THE HEATING MAT LOCATED IN THIS AREA. IF SUCH DAMAGE WERE TO OCCUR, WITH THE SYSTEM TURNED ON, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY FEEL EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THIS AREA.

Risk. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE HEATING MAT IN THE BACKREST'S SIDE BOLSTER COULD OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE, OR MELT A SMALL HOLE IN, THIS AREA OF THE SEAT COVER. IF THIS HAPPENED, IT COULD LEAD TO AN OCCUPANT BEING BURNED.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE SEAT HEATING CIRCUIT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8 AND 12 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL (EMC) UNITS WERE NOT PRODUCED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS.

Risk. AS A RESULT, ENGINE STALLING WILL OCCUR AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF OPERATION. THE VEHICLE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART. ALSO, A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND, AFTER REPEATED ACTUATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, A LOSS OF BRAKE POWER ASSIST WILL OCCUR. THESE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL UNIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8-CYLINDER ENGINES, A CIRCULAR RETENTION CLIP AT THE QUICK-RELEASE COUPLING ALONG THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE WAS INADVERTENTLY NOT INSTALLED.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE FRONTAL CRASH, THE QUICK-RELEASE COUPLING COULD SEPARATE CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CIRCULAR RETENTION CLIP AT THE QUICK-RELEASE COUPLING ALONG THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON.

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?

ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO WE NOTICED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT "A MARK" THAT LOOKS LIKE A BURNT - WE THOUGHT THAT IT WAS JUST A MARK OR SOMEBODY PUT A HOT BOTTLE O CUP ON THE SEAT - BUT THIS MORNING WE TURN THE HEATING IN BOTH SEAT TO WARM UP A LITTLE BIT THEN SMELL AND SMOKE START TO COME OUT THE BURNT MARK. WE TURNED IT OFF BOTH SIDES AND OPEN THE WINDOW - NOW OUR CONCLUSION IS THE HEATING ELEMENT CAUSED THAT BURN IN THE SEAT.

WIRE INSULATION DETERIORATION CAUSING SHORT, POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD, 5 SEPARATE LIGHTING COMPONENTS ALL WIRING INSULATION SEVERELY DETERIORATED CAUSING SHORT CIRCUITING AND INOPERABLE HEADLIGHTS. BARE COPPER WIRES MAKING CONTACT I HAVE AN EXTENSIVE HISTORY IN ELECTRONICS AND FIREFIGHTING. THIS ISSUE WAS FOUND WHILE CHANGING A BULB. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR USING INFERIOR MATERIALS THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE (HTTPS://WWW.BIMMERFORUMS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?2132684-HEADLIGHT-WIRE-JACKETS-JUST-FLAKE-OFF)

WIRE ROT DETERIORATION AT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. CONCERN ELECTRICAL FIRE DUE TO BARE EXPOSED WIRES. NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURE WITHOUT RESOLUTION. PERSONALLY HAD TO PAY OVER $500 TO HE DEALERSHIP JUST TO WRAPPED WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE. AFTER 3 MONTHS, CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HIGH BEAM FAILURE (HID ADOPTIVE PASSENGER SIDE) WHICH THE DEALER TO REPLACEMENT COST OF $2599.

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. *TR

BMW RECALLED 2004 BMW 525I AND OTHERS FOR THE SEAT MAT SENSOR. I HAD CALLED THEM (2012-13) AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE (BASED ON VIN) WASN'T PART OF THE RECALL. I INFORMED THEM THAT MY VEHICLE'S MAT SENSOR WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THEM. THEY, BMW USA TOLD ME THAT MINE WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. I STILL CANT UNDERSTAND IF THE REST ARE DEFECTIVE, HOW COME MINE IS CONSIDERED NOT DEFECTIVE WHEN ITS INOPERATIVE AND SAME PROBLEM AS THOUSANDS OF OTHER 2004 525I. *TR

DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT. *TR

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE CAME ON THE SCREEN OF THE IDRIVE OF THE CAR WHEN MY 76 YEAR OLD MOTHER WAS PLACED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AFTER RETURNING TO THE PARKING LOT AFTER HER DOCTOR VISIT: "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION". IT HAS BEEN ON SINCE. *TR

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

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! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 5 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND PASSENGER RESTRAINT LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000. *TR

MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT HAS CRACKS IN IT AND DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. MY FRONT AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THAT PART FOR MY MAKE MODEL AND YEAR BUT BMW NORTH AMERICA CLAIMS THAT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT ON THE LIST EVEN THOUGHT MY MAKE MODEL AND YEAR IS A PART OF THE RECALL. THERE ARE ALSO SEVERAL OTHER RECALLS FOR THIS PARTICULAR CAR AND AGAIN MY VIN IS NOT ON THE LIST BUT I HAVE THE ISSUES LISTED IN THE RECALL. *TR

MY CAR HAS THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION MESSAGE ON THE NAVIGATION SCREEN AND ALSO THE SEATBELT LIGHT AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT ARE ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THERE IS A RECALL FOR SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR BELOW AND AS YOU CAN SEE MY CAR FALLS WITHIN THE CRITERIA AS THE CARS AFFECTED BY THE RECALL BUT A VISIT TO MY LOCAL BMW DEALER REVEALED THAT THERE WAS NO ACTIVE RECALLS UNDER MY VIN NUMBER. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY AND THE RISK OF BEING SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT BMW SHOULD REPLACE IN MY CAR UNDER THE RECALL AS IT HAS THE SAME MALFUNCTIONING PART SUCH AS THE CARS LISTED BELOW. RECALL ID # 57362 - AIR BAGS:FRONTAL RECALL DATE AUG 05, 2008 RECALL DATE: AUG 05, 2008 MODEL AFFECTED: 2006 BMW 3-SERIES SUMMARY: 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. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL BE ILLUMINATED. CONSEQUENCES: IN THIS SITUATION THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REWORK THE FRONT PASSENGER

RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 5 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SMELLED SMOKE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT WARMER BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS LATER CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAT WARMER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE ANY INJURIES. THE HEATED SEAT WARMER WAS DISENGAGED AS A TEMPORARY REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR TRIGGERS THE SAFETY WARNING LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME. IT MAY AFFECT THE AIRBAG OPERABLE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND WAS SUBJECT OF A VOLUNTARY RECALL PROGRAM IN 2008 BY BMW. DESPITE MANY OTHER CAR OWNERS (AS EVIDENCED BY COMPLAINTS TO NHTSA AND ONLINE CAR FORUMS), INCLUDING MYSELF, HAVING THIS ISSUE AS DESCRIBED WITHIN THE RECALL PROGRAM FOR CARS OF THE MAKE AND YEAR OF THE PRODUCTION, ONLY 200K WITHIN A SPECIFIC VIN RANGE WERE RECALLED. *TR

THE ACTIVE STEERING MALFUNTION LIGHT CAME ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED APROX. 30 DEG OFF CENTER. THE CAR DRIVES FINE BUT THE WHEEL IS STUCK 30 DEG OFF CENTER. *TR

SEAT-WARMER OVERHEATED, BURNING HOLES THROUGH THE LEATHER DRIVER'S SEAT, CAUSING MINOR SKIN BURNS BEFORE TERMINATING USE OF UNIT. OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS, I HAD NOTICED A BURNING ODOR IN THE CAR PERIODICALLY, BUT NEITHER I NOR MY MECHANIC HAD BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE ODOR. ON 1/27/12, I FELT THE EXTREME HEAT IN MY SEAT WHILE DRIVING, AND FOUND TWO CHARRED HOLES IN THE LEATHER SEAT. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THERE WAS NOT A FIRE PER SE, BUT IN ORDER TO REGISTER THE FACT THAT THERE WAS (MINOR) INJURY ATTRIBUTED TO ONE PERSON, THIS FORM REQUIRED STATING "YES" TO THE QUESTION REGARDING FIRE. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THIS FAILURE COULD CERTAINLY LEAD TO FIRE IF CONTINUED USE OF THE UNIT HAD OCCURRED. *TR

BMW REFUSED TO FIX THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08001 AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 08V384000 FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING. *TR