2004 BMW 5-Series BMW 5-Series 2004

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2004 BMW 5-Series repairs by problem area

Engine (41%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (9%)

Brakes and Traction Control (3%)

Suspension and Steering (13%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (30%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (1%)

Other (3%)

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Chart based on 268 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2004 BMW 5-Series.

2004 BMW 5-Series transmission repair cost distribution

$2500+ (26%)

$1000 - $2499 (17%)

$500 - $999 (9%)

$100 - $499 (17%)

< $100 (30%)

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Chart based on 23 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2004 BMW 5-Series

Engine not specified

20460 mi

﷼3600
The car would jerk between 60-80 kmh at around 1500rpm. 

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2004 BMW 5-Series 4dr Sedan

325-horsepower 4.4L V8 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

43800 mi

C $600
Replaced leaking transmission oil pan and filter replaced fluid twice over a week period to replace most old fluid. 
73780 mi

C $303
Right side output shaft popped out of differential connection for unknown reason and left car in middle of busy intersection.rnFlatbed car to dealer for diagnosis and fix. They pushed it back in. 
95887 mi Replaced leaking Mechatronics connector sleeve 
96000 mi

US $500
Defective transmission seal that caused transmission fluid to leak.  
55800 mi Transmission stuttering in 5th gear. Dealer advised transmission required replacement. Traded in car same day. 
55280 mi Transmission oil pan replaced. 
84000 mi

US $464
Replaced a leaking Mechatronic Sealing Sleeve, 6HP26 Transmission Pan w/Gasket, and new pan bolts. Parts ordered online from CTSC ($304.42) Labor: Former BMW Tech Indy Shop $160.00 

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2004 BMW 5-Series 4dr Sedan

325-horsepower 4.4L V8 6-speed manual RWD

85500 mi

US $150
Replaced driveline flex disk to attempt to cure driveline slack. Did not fix problem, driveline slack persists. 

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2004 BMW 5-Series 4dr Sedan

325-horsepower 4.4L V8 6-speed automated manual RWD

88500 mi

US $4000
rough shifting, surging reverse to drive...transmission service with new pan-filter 

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2004 BMW 5-Series 4dr Sedan

225-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

89000 mi Car did the infamous gear slam when down shifting from 2 to 1. Would get transmission code when accelerating between speeds of 60-75 MPH when downshift was required. Car would get stuck in 3rd and could be reset by pulling over and restarting. 
111600 mi

﷼2000
tranny started to hesitate, vibrate and disconnect power frequently.. checked by ZF certified center and they decided the trany slips and the valve body needs service.. they failed to repair and replaced the gearbox 
103540 mi Failure to engage 5'th gear resulting in continious jumping between 4'th and 5'th. 
106420 mi Fluid leak, change pan, seal and bolts 
62200 mi

US $4200
Transmission fault occurred while driving on highway requiring replacement of transmission with rebuilt transmission. 
89360 mi

C $2000
automatic transmission pan replacement 

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2004 BMW 5-Series 4dr Sedan

225-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed automated manual RWD

140780 mi

C $100
tranny pan leak . replaced the pan and filter one piece. refilled with OEM ZF Oil. no leak. shifts smoothly. runs and drives -ultimate driving machine 
176000 mi

US $1000
The transmission failed and was traced to the SMG pump. 
181800 mi Now the SMG Clutch Slave Cylinder is leaking. Car has been back-forth to shop multiple times; it's there now. 

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2004 BMW 5-Series 4dr Sedan

184-horsepower 2.5L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

44640 mi

$3500
Transmission gasket, sleeve 
62000 mi

$6000
Transmission rebuilt 

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2004 BMW 5-Series 4dr Sedan

184-horsepower 2.5L I6 6-speed automated manual RWD

58000 mi

US $1100
Hydraulic fluid pump for SMG transmission broke. 
72000 mi Car "transmission failsafe" light came on after going up a steep hill. Repair shop could not find a problem. 
74000 mi

US $6000
After March transmission fault light, experienced same light. Went directly to transmission shop, they said problems with 1-2 and 4-5 gears required rebuilt transmission, at least $6K. Will not repair, will replace car. 
74000 mi Replaced car instead of rebuilding transmission. 

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2004 BMW 5-Series Transmission Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2004 BMW 5-Series problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.