Model year guide

2004 BMW 7 Series

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2004 BMW 7 Series is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 78 on record.

2004 BMW 7 Series — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2004 BMW 7 Series at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints91
Typical price$4,827

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2004 BMW 7 Series recalls 4

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum NHTSA Campaign #10V446000 · 01/10/2010

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.

Fix: 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.

Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler NHTSA Campaign #04V575000 · 06/12/2004

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.

Fix: 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.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm) NHTSA Campaign #04V344000 · 14/07/2004

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

Fix: 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.

Seats NHTSA Campaign #04V379000 · 09/08/2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (ODS) MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RELIABLY DETERMINE IF THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS OCCUPIED.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SOFTWARE FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 13, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2004 BMW 7 Series common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

What's a 2004 BMW 7 Series worth?

Low
$2,350
Typical price
$4,827
High
$7,988

From 77 comparable 2004 BMW 7 Series listings.

2004 BMW 7 Series trims & engines on record

Trims
745Li · 745i · 760Li
Engines
4.4L 8-cyl 328 hp · 6.0L 12-cyl 429 hp

2004 BMW 7 Series vehicles on record

Other BMW 7 Series model years

2004 BMW 7 Series — frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 BMW 7 Series have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2004 BMW 7 Series. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 BMW 7 Series?

Based on 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, engine, power train.

How much is a 2004 BMW 7 Series worth?

Comparable 2004 BMW 7 Series listings run roughly $2,350–$7,988, typically around $4,827 (from 77 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.