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2004 BMW 645CI Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
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Latest Mar 26, 2024
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 BMW 645CI, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Airbags522.7%
  • Seat belts418.2%
  • Electrical313.6%
  • Interior & seats29.1%
  • Brakes29.1%
  • Engine29.1%
  • Other / unspecified14.5%
  • Driver assistance14.5%
  • Steering14.5%
  • Transmission14.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

PASSENGER SEAT OC3 OCCUPANCY MAT NOT WORKING-IT SHOWS A FAULT CODE- I TOOK IT TO BIRMINGHAM BMW AND WAS TOLD I HAVE TO GET A NEW BMW BATTERY AND BATTERY CABLE.THEY CHARGED ME $ 120 TO DIAGNOSE THIS PROBLEM BUT DID NOTHING TO FIX THE OC3 MAT THAT IS FAULTING.I HAVE CHECKED ON LINE AND THIS DOES NOTHING.

NHTSA ID 11118144 · filed Aug 6, 2018

I HAVE WARNING LIGHT WHEN I TURN ON MY CAR THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT AND AIRBAG IS INACTIVE AND THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL... THIS IS SAFETY NOT A LUXURY OPTION... BMW ADVISED ME THAT IT WAS SOME SENSOR AND I ASKED IF I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT WILL THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY THEY SAID THERE IS A HIGH CHANCE IT WOULD NOT AND ALSO THE SEAT BELT COULD FAIL AS WELL... I SEEN OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS!! THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE NOT A OPTION!! PLEASE LOOK INTO IT!! BEING A CONVERTIBLE AND NO AIRBAGS IN A ACCIDENT IS A DEATH WAITING TO HAPPEN!!! *TR

NHTSA ID 10702104 · filed Mar 27, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The idrive system in my car continues to cut on and off, this eventually caused my car to shut off on me two times while in traffic with no warning or indication of the shut off. The sensor alert continuously goes off for everything in the car. I took my car to the BMW dealership in Huntsville Alabama, they had my car for almost a month and could not find the issue with the drive or anything the sensors were notifying me of. The system constantly says my car is overheating, but I just got the radiator hose fixed and the dealership checked it for leaks while they had it and they did not see any other leaks or any other issues causing it to overhear. I researched this issue on a BMW form and I see this is a common issue with the electrical system. This issue is very alarming to me because the sensors do not work properly so I wouldn’t know what is really wrong with the car and with all the electrical issues I am afraid the car might catch on fire. I can’t believe this problem is so common and he has not been recalled due to the safety and the devastating results it could cause it’s gone unnoticed for so long. I would hate for someone to lose their life, regarding this faulty issue in this car; these cars are not cheap no matter how old they are so I feel like BMW should stand behind their product and stop selling us faulty unsafe vehicles. We pay good money for these cars, this issue really needs to be fixed. I have a video of the iDrive system cutting on and off with the sensors alerting but this does not give me the option to upload a video. In addition the seatbelt will not retract in this car so it is not able to be worn properly. Also the engine seems like it is revving up sometime as if it wants to takeoff on its own. I have only experienced this issue a couple of times but not as much time as the iDrive issue mention above. Please assist in anyway you can I would really appreciate it. Have a great day!

NHTSA ID 11431834 · filed Sep 6, 2021

ACTIVE STEERING MALFUNCTION, AIRBAGS LIGHTS, STABLE CONTROLL STEERING WHEEL IS COCKED ABOUT HALF TURN TO DRIVE STREIGHT.

NHTSA ID 10983391 · filed May 3, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The idrive system in my car continues to cut on and off, this eventually caused my car to shut off on me two times while in traffic with no warning or indication of the shut off. The sensor alert continuously goes off for everything in the car. I took my car to the BMW dealership in Huntsville Alabama, they had my car for almost a month and could not find the issue with the drive or anything the sensors were notifying me of. The system constantly says my car is overheating, but I just got the radiator hose fixed and the dealership checked it for leaks while they had it and they did not see any other leaks or any other issues causing it to overhear. I researched this issue on a BMW form and I see this is a common issue with the electrical system. This issue is very alarming to me because the sensors do not work properly so I wouldn’t know what is really wrong with the car and with all the electrical issues I am afraid the car might catch on fire. I can’t believe this problem is so common and he has not been recalled due to the safety and the devastating results it could cause it’s gone unnoticed for so long. I would hate for someone to lose their life, regarding this faulty issue in this car; these cars are not cheap no matter how old they are so I feel like BMW should stand behind their product and stop selling us faulty unsafe vehicles. We pay good money for these cars, this issue really needs to be fixed. I have a video of the iDrive system cutting on and off with the sensors alerting but this does not give me the option to upload a video. In addition the seatbelt will not retract in this car so it is not able to be worn properly. Also the engine seems like it is revving up sometime as if it wants to takeoff on its own. I have only experienced this issue a couple of times but not as much time as the iDrive issue mention above. Please assist in anyway you can I would really appreciate it. Have a great day!

NHTSA ID 11431834 · filed Sep 6, 2021

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN WHICH THIS IS THE NUMBER YOU HAVE PROVIDED BUT NOT INCLUDING MY YR. IT WAS ONLY FOR 2006 MODELS AND I HAVE A 2004 BUT SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. I HAVE READ AND SEEN OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SOME DEALERSHIPS HONORED THE RECALL OR "SERVICE OFFER" BUT THEY WILL NOT FOR ME AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT A LUXURY OPTION. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA08001 NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER : 08V384000. *TR

NHTSA ID 10604959 · filed Jun 21, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

PASSENGER SEAT OC3 OCCUPANCY MAT NOT WORKING-IT SHOWS A FAULT CODE- I TOOK IT TO BIRMINGHAM BMW AND WAS TOLD I HAVE TO GET A NEW BMW BATTERY AND BATTERY CABLE.THEY CHARGED ME $ 120 TO DIAGNOSE THIS PROBLEM BUT DID NOTHING TO FIX THE OC3 MAT THAT IS FAULTING.I HAVE CHECKED ON LINE AND THIS DOES NOTHING.

NHTSA ID 11118144 · filed Aug 6, 2018

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE FAULT LIGHT HAS STARTED SHOWING ON MY BMW. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL REPORTED ON THE SAME COMPONENT "STATEMENT ON VOLUNTARY RECALL INVOLVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ON U.S.A. MODEL BMWS - AUGUST 13, 2008". IT IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM SO I CALLED BMW AND THEY STATED THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW MY CAR IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM BUT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL? THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I THINK BMW SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AND SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO CORRECT THIS FAULTY MAT SENSOR PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED. I AM AFRAID TO CARRY PASSENGERS IN MY CAR FOR LIABILITY REASONS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10554565 · filed Dec 2, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 645CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT A YEAR AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, A BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THERE HAD NOT BEEN A FAILURE PRESENT BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BOOSTER HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,100. UPDATED 02/20/13*LJ UPDATED 02/20/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID 10484964 · filed Nov 16, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 645CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED; HOWEVER THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE CONTACT REPEATEDLY ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE POWER BOOSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 10463301 · filed Jun 27, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The idrive system in my car continues to cut on and off, this eventually caused my car to shut off on me two times while in traffic with no warning or indication of the shut off. The sensor alert continuously goes off for everything in the car. I took my car to the BMW dealership in Huntsville Alabama, they had my car for almost a month and could not find the issue with the drive or anything the sensors were notifying me of. The system constantly says my car is overheating, but I just got the radiator hose fixed and the dealership checked it for leaks while they had it and they did not see any other leaks or any other issues causing it to overhear. I researched this issue on a BMW form and I see this is a common issue with the electrical system. This issue is very alarming to me because the sensors do not work properly so I wouldn’t know what is really wrong with the car and with all the electrical issues I am afraid the car might catch on fire. I can’t believe this problem is so common and he has not been recalled due to the safety and the devastating results it could cause it’s gone unnoticed for so long. I would hate for someone to lose their life, regarding this faulty issue in this car; these cars are not cheap no matter how old they are so I feel like BMW should stand behind their product and stop selling us faulty unsafe vehicles. We pay good money for these cars, this issue really needs to be fixed. I have a video of the iDrive system cutting on and off with the sensors alerting but this does not give me the option to upload a video. In addition the seatbelt will not retract in this car so it is not able to be worn properly. Also the engine seems like it is revving up sometime as if it wants to takeoff on its own. I have only experienced this issue a couple of times but not as much time as the iDrive issue mention above. Please assist in anyway you can I would really appreciate it. Have a great day!

NHTSA ID 11431834 · filed Sep 6, 2021

2004 BMW 645CI. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE STALLING SEVERAL TIMES. *TGW AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP PERFORMED A DIAGNOSIS AND CODES FOR THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND SOLENOIDS APPEARED. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE STALLING CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND AGAIN AND THE MECHANIC PERFORMED ANOTHER DIAGNOSIS AND STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE IDRIVE, BUT WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO REPROGRAM THE IDRIVE, IT WAS DETERMINED THE CCC AND DME WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID 10394508 · filed Apr 1, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

My Bmw got impounded illegally from my location where I rent commercial space and there is no signs saying car wheel be parked there at 12 at night this was an illegal tow by tow guys 3823 losse rd 702 598 1630 I payed $474.64 to get my car out impound

NHTSA ID 11579571 · filed Mar 26, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ACTIVE STEERING MALFUNCTION, AIRBAGS LIGHTS, STABLE CONTROLL STEERING WHEEL IS COCKED ABOUT HALF TURN TO DRIVE STREIGHT.

NHTSA ID 10983391 · filed May 3, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ACTIVE STEERING MALFUNCTION, AIRBAGS LIGHTS, STABLE CONTROLL STEERING WHEEL IS COCKED ABOUT HALF TURN TO DRIVE STREIGHT.

NHTSA ID 10983391 · filed May 3, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2004 BMW 645CI. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE STALLING SEVERAL TIMES. *TGW AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP PERFORMED A DIAGNOSIS AND CODES FOR THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND SOLENOIDS APPEARED. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE STALLING CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND AGAIN AND THE MECHANIC PERFORMED ANOTHER DIAGNOSIS AND STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE IDRIVE, BUT WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO REPROGRAM THE IDRIVE, IT WAS DETERMINED THE CCC AND DME WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID 10394508 · filed Apr 1, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .