BMW 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series And 1 More Recall R/2004/131: Possibility Of Inadvertnent Loss Of Engine Power, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Low
- How serious
- 14 Jul 2004
- Launched
- 231
- vehicles in the UK
- R/2004/131
- DVSA reference
BMW recalled 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series and 1 more vehicles built between 12 May 2004 and 6 July 2004. Due to a hardware fault within the digital engine electronic control unit the possibility exists that the unit could fail completely resulting in loss of engine power. The recall notice describes the fix as: recall likely to be affected vehicles and replace the control unit with a quality assured item. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
Due to a hardware fault within the digital engine electronic control unit the possibility exists that the unit could fail completely resulting in loss of engine power.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: POSSIBILITY OF INADVERTNENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER Defect: Due to a hardware fault within the digital engine electronic control unit the possibility exists that the unit could fail completely resulting in loss of engine power. Remedy: Recall likely to be affected vehicles and replace the control unit with a quality assured item.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could result in loss of engine power.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: recall likely to be affected vehicles and replace the control unit with a quality assured item.
Are You Affected?
5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series and 1 more built between 12 May 2004 and 6 July 2004 may be included. BMW estimates 231 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with BMW, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with BMW.
- Book with any franchised BMW dealer, quoting the DVSA reference R/2004/131. See how to get a BMW recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Series, 5 Series Touring, 7 Series, 7 Series - High Security and 2 moreChecking and re-securing the air-conditioning wiring harness | Urgent | R/2026/092 | |
| 2 Series, 3 Series, 3 Series Touring, 4 Series and 7 moreReplace the engine starter motor | Urgent | R/2026/054 | |
| 1 Series, 1 Series 3 Door Hatch, 1 Series 5 Door Hatch, 2 Series and 22 moreTakata driver and/or passenger airbag recall (Global VINs) | Urgent | R/2025/349 | |
| 5 SeriesProgram control units (CoC documents) | Low | R/2026/075 | |
| 1 Series 3 Door Hatch, 1 Series 5 Door Hatch, 3 Series, 3 Series PHEV and 14 moreReplace the engine starter motor | Urgent | R/2025/405 |
This is one of 275 BMW recalls in DVSA’s data. The BMW recall launched before it was R/2004/084 on 6 May 2004, for possibility of inability to engage gear or declutch. The one launched after it was R/2004/141 on 11 Aug 2004, for seat occupancy detector may fail and inpact on airbag protection. You can also see every BMW recall and all recalls launched in 2004.
Source: DVSA recall R/2004/131, launched 14 July 2004. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.