BMW 545 owners have reported 4 electronic stability control related problems since 1996. Table 1 shows the 1 most common electronic stability control problems. The number one most common problem is related to the vehicle's electronic stability control (4 problems). For details of each of the problem category, use the links in the table.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Electronic Stability Control problems |
Dynamic steering malfunction causing hazardous driving conditions at highway speeds.
Takada recall. My car's make cracking noise or groaned noises as some other e60 owners described. The noises sounded as the car start rolling at low speed whether go straight or turn a little to left or right. It's happened every time. The airbag light come on during drive and it is off when I shut off the engine. The next time I start the car is still remain stayed on, and it's goes off during drive. The steering wheel seems not firm unlike e39 is more firm. I found a forum where the e60 owners had similar problem and the dealer solved the problems I mentioned above by just replace the takata airbag and maybe an update of software involved. In conclusion to my complaint regarding takada airbag the BMW should open a recall for my car or add my car to the recall list as it's not safe for me and my family. Please help, thank you.
I came back from my summer holiday, and restarted my car. A lot of warnings appears on the odometer. About engine, airbags, steering, tire pressure, and seat belt. (I have checked the tire pressure, it is normal. And I always lock the seat belt before driving). In addition, the navigation screen and radio died. Furthermore, the car lose electricity after it shuts down. After more than 3 hours of shut down, it won't have enough power to re-ignite. I check on NHTSA website that there are three recall issues that my car was included, and related to the issues I am reporting right now. About air bags (08v384000), engine (12e029000), and electrical system (12v126000). But I cannot find out any information by my VIN number on NHTSA. It is a used car, I am not sure whether the former user responded the recall before. Even if this car was recalled before, I don't know whether it was fixed properly, and the similar issues would not happen again.
Main problem: vehicle exhibits highly unsafe tendencies of turning off randomly, leaving the driver with no power, no functioning gauges, no functioning lights, and more. Cause: faulty alternator and voltage regulator. Scenario: on 12/21/2012, a 2004 BMW 545i vehicle with approximately 29,000 miles on its odometer is traveling on a highway driving 70mph, highway is flat and speed is constant with very light traffic. Without warning, car completely turns off, all gauges (speed, tachometer, and fuel) revert to "0" position, radio turns off, lights turn off, car immediately slows and has no propulsion power nor speed control at all. Brake pedal was not depressed, steering reverted to a very firm feeling. About 10 seconds of coasting later, the vehicle's electronics resume operation. Multiple incidents were to occur between 12/21/2012 and 1/29/2013 to varying degrees of severity. On 1/29/2013, the vehicle failed in a similar capacity three times on a 21 mile journey. On 1/30/2013, vehicle failed twice. On 1/31/2013, the BMW 545i vehicle is at an authorized BMW dealer. It is determined the alternator and voltage regulator are defective. Electrical power was not consistently being generated nor allocated to vital vehicle computers. These interruptions in power supplies, which last approximately 7-10 seconds, are referred to as brown-outs and they vary in degree of severity. The major cases incapacitated the entire vehicle, shutting down all gauges, lights, and critical safety systems. On 2/1/2013, the BMW 545i was delivered back to the owner with the alternator and voltage regulator replaced. The mileage of the vehicle at the time of repair was only 33,426. Note: BMW dealer noted this was a common problem on many of the 5-series models in the 2004 and up year range.