| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2004 BMW 3-Series repairs by problem area
Engine (42%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (6%)
Brakes and Traction Control (3%)
Suspension and Steering (16%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (23%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (6%)
Other (5%)
Select a problem area
- Engine
- Transmission and Drivetrain
- Brakes and Traction Control
- Suspension and Steering
- Electrical and Air Conditioning
- Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim
- Other
Chart based on 751 repairs.
2004 BMW 3-Series electrical repair cost distribution
$2500+ (4%)
$1000 - $2499 (7%)
$500 - $999 (10%)
$100 - $499 (35%)
< $100 (44%)
Chart based on 147 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2004 BMW 3-Series
Engine not specified
| 187240 mi C $65 |
Interior vent fan stopped working when final stage resistor failed. Final stage resistor replaced with a used replacement |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Wagon
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 83700 mi C $3500 |
Starter motor failed and had to be replaced. Repairs were done by a Chrysler dealership - not our normal service shop Air Conditioning condenser leaking - replacement parts and refrigerant required to fix it |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Wagon
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 20460 mi | Replacement of keys, defective. |
| 26660 mi C $150 |
Install Homelink control in upper roof console |
| 50840 mi C $300 |
Replacement of rear taillight assembly and bulbs. Replacement of rear taillight assembly and bulbs. |
| 94440 mi C $224 |
Replaced car battery. |
| 65000 mi | Replaced alternator pulley and the belt tensioner. |
| 80000 mi | Checking in. Passenger side rear view mirror needs repair because it doesn't automatically adjust for curb view. There's also a weird squeal in the HVAC system. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Wagon
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed manual RWD
| 114000 mi US $35 |
A/C weak, topped up refrigerant |
| 78000 mi US $140 |
AC was low on pressure. Shop recharged. |
| 80700 mi US $53 |
Window regulator on right rear passenger door died. Replaced with new unit. |
| 96000 mi US $225 |
Fixed A/C |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
235-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 109700 mi US $1300 |
Alternator died and needed to be replaced. |
| 127000 mi US $3000 |
A/C was leaking from one or maybe both of the service ports. Parts replaced and recharge performed, also dye injected into system to check for future leaks. |
| 133000 mi US $2250 |
A/C Evaporator had to be replaced, entire dashboard had to be disassembled for replacement. Additional electrical problem persists, need to replace instrument cluster. |
| 110000 mi US $773 |
replace AC compressor (OEM replacement purchased separately online), dryer, alt belt tensioner pulley |
| 105000 mi US $800 |
Both passenger side window regulators failed within days of each other. These units are chronic problem areas in the e46 3-series BMW. Leaking Schrader valve on A/C system. Dye injected in system and system recharged. Leak was slight. Replacement parts ordered and will be replaced at next visit. |
| 62500 mi US $54 |
Window regulator replaced. Rear driver's side door. |
| 149000 mi US $75 |
Final Stage Resistor/Switch failed. HVAC fan would not come on. Replaced resistor and everything back to normal. |
| 29140 mi | The starter was failing. It was replaced. I had to make 2 trips b/c they did not fix the problem in the 1st trip. Second trip to have starter repaired after first trip failed. |
| 55180 mi C $168 |
Rear Left indicator/brake light stopped working. The ground connection was burned out. Had to change the connectors & wire a new ground. Known Problem from BMW. |
| 80600 mi C $450 |
Left front window motor/regulator replaced. |
| 95000 mi US $100 |
Tail light warning light illuminated on dash though all lights fully operational. Wiring inspected, plugs/sockets cleaned, no new parts. Repair initially successful but problem recurred within a couple weeks. |
| 96000 mi US $700 |
Front passenger window regulator replaced |
| 102000 mi US $600 |
Cleaned connections at right tail light to fix false warning light. |
| 64000 mi US $60 |
Airbag light (SRS) came on, error code indicated driver's wheel airbag fault, mechanic cleared error and SRS light has not returned - likely spurious sensor electrical fault |
| 66200 mi US $130 |
Airbag (SRS) light came on again after being cleared twice before - fault code indicated drivers steering wheel firing Stage 1 fault; replaced steering wheel switch module (slip ring) and switch module to steering wheel airbag wiring harness. |
| 67000 mi US $70 |
Drivers side front window regulator broke - repaired by installing new window regulator. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
235-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 102000 mi US $4200 |
Passenger airbag warning illuminated. Required replacement of airbag sensor in passenger seat. |
| 126000 mi US $90 |
Water heater valve stuck open |
| 140000 mi | A/C blower had intermittent squeak on low settings. |
| 110300 mi US $225 |
Replaced rear light wiring harness. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
225-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 84400 mi US $40 |
Driver's side tail light bulb carrier. Corroded and melted ground wire contact. |
| 101000 mi US $200 |
driver's side and passenger's side window regulators are beginning to fail. |
| 102500 mi US $115 |
Auto-dimming rear view mirror repaired by independent party. Mirror lost auto-dimming function and fluid leaked completely out of the mirror. |
| 107000 mi | Battery needed to be replaced. |
| 125700 mi US $20 |
Hood switch sensor faulty. Alarm would go off thinking the hood had been opened. |
| 161700 mi US $50 |
Front driver's turn signal corner light failed. Replaced with new turn signal assembly, including new bulb and bulb socket. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 201000 mi US $45 |
Final Stage resistor replaced |
| 18600 mi C $1300 |
Control system for driver's side headlamp needed to be replaced |
| 72000 mi US $800 |
Replaced front & rear glass. Rear defrost partially dead. Windshield pitted from highway driving plus cracked. Replaced headlight lenses due to pitting. |
| 88000 mi | Sub woofer amplifier failed, emitting a loud noise. unplugged it, waiting for replacement part to arrive. |
| 97000 mi US $2000 |
replaced nav screen, reprogrammed computer |
| 95000 mi | A/C evaporator core developed leak |
| 114000 mi US $350 |
One side of HID headlamps would not illuminate; problem was failed ballast/xenon control unit on that side. Replaced with OEM part. |
| 20000 mi | The amp went out. This is the second time they've replaced the amp. |
| 212000 mi US $450 |
alternator failed/ then starter then alternator again starter Newly installed alternator failed. I wasn't their fault but as a Bosch dealer they have a warrantee program that covers the shops cost and we paid nothing. |
| 152000 mi US $50 |
Window regulator |
| 100000 mi | Rear tail light connector burned out - replaced under recall |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 88000 mi | Air conditioning repaired. Suspect they simply added R-134 to get it going. Out again, regular more skilled mechanic cannot find leak. |
| 117000 mi US $1200 |
Passenger-side front window regulator again! |
| 127000 mi US $150 |
Replace three window regulators. Two rears with broken cable guide wheels, passenger front with cable broken. |
| 133000 mi US $40 |
RF window regulator replaced. |
| 144000 mi US $60 |
Replaced coolant level sensor. |
| 100000 mi US $235 |
AC stopped blowing cold air. Attempted to add myself, but couldn't get good reading on gauge and didn't fix the problem. Shop evacuated, recharged and added dye. So far, it is still blowing cold air. |
| 101000 mi | Identified freon leak at both high and lower pressure valves. Leak if very slow, so will replace valves in the fall after freon leaks down and AC not needed as much. |
| 102000 mi US $60 |
Driver's window regulator failed. Ordered part and replaced it. |
| 102200 mi | The window failed again after 3-4 weeks and was stuck down. I suspect the new Cardone regulator's plastic cable "coupler" failed. A known point of failure and in my opinion a poor design. Redo... |
| 102600 mi US $80 |
The Cardone window regulator did fail, although it was in the cable take-up mechanism. I ordered a replacement from RockAuto.com, who will reimburse me when the other is returned. The new one is different and seems to be working fine. |
| 107000 mi US $75 |
Driver's side window regulator failure. Vendor agreed to send a different replacement brand after two Cardone regulators failed. |
| 123000 mi US $30 |
Known leaks in A/C recharge valves, although very slow. Requires typically one recharge per season. |
| 123000 mi US $125 |
Trying to find slow AC leak. Recharged and added dye. |
| 128000 mi | Driver's-side window regulator failed (AGAIN). I'm losing track of how many I've had to replace. It hasn't been replaced yet, but will be in the next couple of months. |
| 167000 mi US $350 |
Window regulators - replaced rear passenger side for second time in 12 months. replaced driver door regulator, replaced passenger door regulator |
| 167000 mi US $3700 |
Blower motor failed. Replaced blower motor, etc. |
| 124000 mi US $3400 |
Changed A/C Evaporator, fan and belts with tensioners. Labor is billed at a flat 11hrs. @$110 (on average). Wished I could have done it myself!:-( |
| 49000 mi | CD Player not working, radio/cd console replaced |
| 93000 mi US $80 |
CD player replaced in one hour |
| 102000 mi US $2500 |
Left window regulator replaced |
| 109000 mi US $415 |
Remote Door Unlock by key memory inoperative. Door lock cylinder on driver side damaged at same time on 9/25; unable to unlock vehicle. Car towed to BMW of Riverside 0n 9/27. Work order authorized and part ordered 9/28. Repair completed 10/01. |
| 122000 mi US $1900 |
Repair of three unreliable window regulators. Front passenger, left and right rear windows. |
| 208000 mi US $132 |
Airbag Fault light on, (Airbag Ignition Circuit Driver Stage 1). Required replacement of Slip Ring Assembly. |
| 85000 mi US $54 |
Bulb Carrier (part) |
| 103000 mi US $226 |
Right Headlamp Assembly - bought online and installed myself |
| 64500 mi | Tail light defect repair |
| 218000 mi US $1640 |
Replaced Rear window Regulator. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 23000 mi | Steering wheel radio controls not working. |
| 24000 mi | Repairs completed |
| 62000 mi US $120 |
bulb works intermittently. Update: Bulb for front headlight (daytime running light) not working it was a bulb retainer part causing the problem not the bulb. I haven't been able to fix it. |
| 72200 mi US $100 |
tail lights, faulty ground, BMW should recall the cars for this |
| 84000 mi US $400 |
lights, and all electrical power drained while driving until it stalled out. Waited an hour and was able to drive to be serviced. Alternator replaced. Lucky I had just installed a battery a month ago. |
| 98000 mi | window regulator high beam light not working , wire was loose and corroded. |
| 69233 mi C $300 |
Evac and fill system, check for leaks, put A/C stop,leak and dye |
| 84940 mi | trunk did not open with remote, 4 wires needed replacing. driver's side windshield wiper fluid pump failed |
| 122000 mi US $350 |
Was trying to open rear left window and was hearing a cracking noise. Motor was replaced. |
| 80000 mi | Hissing noise when A/C running. Seals replaced and system recharged. |
| 119000 mi | Slow AC leak, heater fan squeal. |
| 53940 mi C $5 |
Tail light assembly ground wire too weak. Wire burnt out at the connector to the harness |
| 68200 mi C $300 |
AC was not cooling. They said it needed recharge |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed manual RWD
| 77000 mi US $60 |
HID Igniter |
| 84000 mi US $82 |
HID ballast Battery replaced. 13 years old OEM. |
| 38548 mi | Front window regulator replaced. Rear pads and rotors replaced. |
| 22610 mi C $53 |
Faulty oil level sensor, Faulty steering angle sensor causing DSC and ABS lights to come on. Squeeling from engine compartment on cold start-rpelaced two tensioners and alternator belt. |
| 31057 mi C $182 |
Air bag sensor on. positive battery terminal sensor resistance tto high. Cleaned terminals |
| 54375 mi C $180 |
No cold air from AC. Initially dealer said prssure was fine. but still no cold. Dealer topped up and OK. |
| 76880 mi C $150 |
Replaced driver door lock actuator |
| 89900 mi C $600 |
Battery not charging. Alternator failed. |
| 94940 mi C $500 |
No windshield defrost |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed manual AWD
| 130000 mi US $80 |
The window would not go back up. The window regulator had to be changed |
| 103000 mi US $5 |
alternator noisy, bad bearings, purchased rebuilt on-line, replaced myself Repaired faulty ground wires on both taillights, common problem for e46 series BMW, parts cost $4.85 online vs reports of dealers charging over $300, repair took about 45 min. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
168-horsepower 2.2L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 122960 mi | AC compressor |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
333-horsepower 3.2L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 100300 mi US $1100 |
Auto-dimming rear view mirror was leaking. Had it replaced. |
| 90000 mi US $250 |
Door actuator crapped out and needed to be replaced. |
| 73000 mi US $30 |
Relay for driver's window died. Relay replaced. |
| 78000 mi US $300 |
AC blowing hot. Added dye to AC system. Diagnosed as AC Evap coil leak. Purchased new part online. Replaced and recharged system. |
| 14000 mi US $100 |
Electrochromatic (auto dimming) rear view mirror failed. This has been a common problem with the M3. I sent defective mirror to maker and they replaced it with OEM mirror for $100 with shipping. |
| 79000 mi US $550 |
The alternator stopped re-charging the battery, replaced it. |
| 58000 mi US $479 |
Service port leak |
| 63400 mi US $450 |
Clockspring. Did not correct non-functioning cruise and radio controls at steering wheel. |
| 65000 mi US $25 |
apparent slow leak. evacuated, recharged. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
333-horsepower 3.2L I6 6-speed automated manual RWD
| 305000 mi US $250 |
Alternator became intermittent, replaced with rebuilt unit |
| 46200 mi US $400 |
Needed a new tensioner pulley and belts as the A/C was acting weird. |
| 128000 mi US $70 |
Replaced driver's side headlight bulb |
| 81000 mi US $2000 |
Fuel sender unit replaced. Oil service. |
| 112000 mi US $468 |
Intermittent power draw from transistor |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
235-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 66300 mi US $10 |
Broken bracket for volume control inside radio. Owner repair. |
| 8000 mi | Faulty door latch sensor caused window to twitch (while car off & locked), triggering alarm in the middle of the night. 1 day in shop, fixed under warranty. |
| 87000 mi US $150 |
Replaced passenger door lock actuator. Solved the inability to unlock passenger door via console button or remote key. Now another problem - inability to lock passenger door via console & remote key. |
| 88000 mi | Last reported that after replacing the passenger door lock actuator, I still could not lock/unlock via the console button (remote works though). Problem was left as was when I sold the car. |
| 44000 mi | Received letter from BMWNA stating Telematics Control Unit (TCU) was possibly faulty. Took to dealer to check function. Also had oil change service performed (under free maintenance). |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
235-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 121000 mi US $300 |
Temperature sensor needed replacing. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
225-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 54000 mi US $145 |
Radio failed and caused multiple systems in the car to stop working (A/C, turn signals, sunroof)- after some troubleshooting, the radio was found to be the source of the problem. |
| 67000 mi US $270 |
Two problems, the radio buttons only allow one entry. |
| 98000 mi US $735 |
main light burned out |
| 162000 mi | Airbag recall for both the front drivers and passenger airbags, as part of the wider Takata scandal. Performed by the BMW main dealer at no cost. |
| 165000 mi £282 |
Car wouldn't start. Tried to jump start, tried the second key and checked the fuses without any success. Replaced the battery, but didn't fix the problem. Found that car would run if I gave it a bump start (ie pushing it up to speed and then bringing the clutch up when the car was in gear). Therefore determined that it was most likely to be the start motor. Took it to the garage an they confirmed the diagnosis and replaced it with a new one (I think it was actually a refurbished one). |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 103000 mi US $500 |
SRS Airbag control module failed. Had to have it replaced. |
| 37000 mi US $75 |
Side mirror motors malfunctioning. Replaced drivers' side control unit (controls both sides). |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 84000 mi US $1000 |
Car would not start. I had the car towed to a BMW specialist independent facility where they replaced the starter |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 146000 mi | car wouldn't start - replaced battery |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed manual RWD
| 77000 mi | Driver side turn light burned out. This is the first time a turn light has burned out so soon. The mechanic pulled the bulb out and put it back in and then the turn light was working again. Seems like the problem is corrosion. |
| 177200 mi US $150 |
Pain in the butt it's hard to get to I would suggest taking it to a shop to do the starter |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Convertible
333-horsepower 3.2L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 53000 mi US $500 |
New e-box fan. |
| 56900 mi US $600 |
Alternator died. Replaced with OEM part at non-dealer mechanic. |
| Window would not go up. | |
| Radio does not display all pixels. Radio replaced | |
| 81000 mi US $825 |
Replaced BST cable |
| 82000 mi US $277 |
Battery replace and check |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Convertible
333-horsepower 3.2L I6 6-speed automated manual RWD
| 40000 mi US $50 |
LCD gear display for SMG gear was missing number segments, unable to distinguish some gears - gauge cluster was replaced. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Convertible
235-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 25000 mi | Emergency flasher switch, and central locking switch failed. |
| 114000 mi US $400 |
Replace leaking Schrader valves in air conditioning system. Recharge system. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Convertible
225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 95000 mi US $375 |
Starter would engage, motor wouldn't start. Started replaced. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Convertible
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 152700 mi US $1000 |
AC COmpressor out right at the start of summer. Cost $1000 |
| 112000 mi US $30 |
Wiring insulation in headlight assembly had deteriorated causing a short. Lights failed to come on causing a dash panel caution light to illuminate |
| 112000 mi US $300 |
Door latch failed causing door open light to illuminate on dash. Resultant dome light flickering and inability to lock doors due to door open signal to control module |
| 112000 mi US $150 |
Airbag Recall |
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