FaultScore report
Owners have filed 24 complaints about the 2004 BMW 645CI with NHTSA between 2011 and 2024. The largest single group is the airbags.
24
Complaints
0
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
61,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
0%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 56,555 miles
Median failure at 56,555 miles
Median failure at 150,000 miles
Median failure at 56,555 miles
Median failure at 37,260 miles
Median failure at 75,000 miles
Median failure at 75,000 miles
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
WHEELS
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 complaint #11579571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
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 complaint #11431834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint #11431834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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 complaint #11431834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
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 complaint #11118144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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 complaint #11118144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
ACTIVE STEERING MALFUNCTION, AIRBAGS LIGHTS, STABLE CONTROLL STEERING WHEEL IS COCKED ABOUT HALF TURN TO DRIVE STREIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10983391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
ACTIVE STEERING MALFUNCTION, AIRBAGS LIGHTS, STABLE CONTROLL STEERING WHEEL IS COCKED ABOUT HALF TURN TO DRIVE STREIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10983391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
ACTIVE STEERING MALFUNCTION, AIRBAGS LIGHTS, STABLE CONTROLL STEERING WHEEL IS COCKED ABOUT HALF TURN TO DRIVE STREIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10983391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
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!!!
NHTSA complaint #10702104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 645CI. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,587.
NHTSA complaint #10659272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10604959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10604959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10604959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10604959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10554565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10554565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10554565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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
NHTSA complaint #10484964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
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
NHTSA complaint #10484964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
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 complaint #10463301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10394508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
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.
NHTSA complaint #10394508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10394508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.