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Electrical systemPart report

2005 BMW 545I Electrical system Problems

Complaints
14about this part
Share
18%of 78 total for the year
Median mileage
120,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 BMW 545I, 18% of the 78 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I have a 2005 Bmw 545I. When I am decelerating and rolling towards a stop and then accelerate before a full stop I will get a large jerking transmission bang coming from the back of the car. In addition while driving the car around 35-40 MPH the transmission slips from one gear to the next and back causing the car to surge and jerk slightly.”

NHTSA complaint #10357401, filed 2010-09, 98,625 miles

“On may 12th, I was driving my 2005 545I Bmw at 8pm with my wife and two children on the highway. The display indicated a windshield wiper malfunction (would not turn off or control speed of wipers). After a few more miles, I noticed there was no communication to any of the steering column controls, nor did the turn signals work (would not stay on unless held down). …”

NHTSA complaint #10330465, filed 2010-05, 51,050 miles

“While driving to work during morning rush hour in a busy highway the car just stopped running. No odd sounds no shutting no clunking. It was like some just turned the key off. I made it to the side of the highway and had to wait two hours for a tow truck to show up. Most of the week previous to this my car would not start at random times even though my battery was good and I had gas. The problem was the dme had water ingress from a poor location where the dme and metronic computer and the intergraded power module are located and stored. …”

NHTSA complaint #11354824, filed 2020-09, 127,000 miles

“Good evening all, since 2011 I have had issues with the I drive system. Just recently, the system stopped working. After attempting to resolve the issue with Bmw of ontario, they declined to cover the vehicle's I drive computer module. Finally, the computer stopped working and I could not see my computer display or listen to music. I could not re-set the air pressure on the tires. I drove the vehicle that way for months. Finally, I went to the junk yard and found a vehicle similar to mine and replaced it. …”

NHTSA complaint #11115784, filed 2018-08, 182,282 miles

“My car have an overheated cable connection and is causing increased electric resistance, which is a recall and also the passenger airbag light is on and Bmw refuse to fix the issues.. They say my VIN wasn't one of the car that's in their database for the recalls........”

NHTSA complaint #10515172, filed 2013-06, 120,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20051418%
20041227%

Other parts of the 2005 BMW 545I

Air bags
34 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsTires
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2005 BMW 545I

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology