BMW 745I Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 126 consumer complaints across the 4 model years of the BMW 745I (2002–2005) that have at least 5 complaints. 2002 has the most, with 54. Across all years, the part named most often is transmission and drivetrain (38 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All 745I model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 16 | 109,410 | 3 | 29 | — | Stable |
| 2004 | 24 | 84,230 | 0 | 22 | — | Falling |
| 2003 | 32 | 74,000 | 2 | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2002 | 54 | 95,400 | 2 | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Transmission and drivetrain38 26%
- Electrical system25 17%
- Brakes25 17%
- Air bags20 14%
- Engine14 9.7%
- Engine cooling10 6.9%
- Seat belts6 4.2%
- Other or unknown6 4.2%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2003: “The car smokes from exhaust system when you pull off from red light, driveways, or whenever you excel in the car. I was told its a engine valve problem that Bmw is aware of in the 7 series. This car cost to much for issues like you are a vapor from beyond when driving. Also why is it a problem with sensor on passenger side seat. I only carry a 10 lb. Purse the light stays on consist.”
NHTSA complaint #11145072, filed 2018-11, 106,000 miles2004: “I have driven 2004 Bmw 745I for the past 10 years. It has 44000 miles on the odometer. Recently, it stops while driving. Each time it stops, the gear is shifted to neutral. When I tried to start engine, it won't start. After using cell phone to request for help, the engine starts. It happened more than five times.”
NHTSA complaint #10667212, filed 2014-12, 44,000 miles2005: “I have been having several electrical issues on my 2005 745I the issues I am having are all electrical and brakes, drivers side window not initiated, license plate lamp not initiated, trunk button not working on dash panel or key fob or button on trunk lid, parking brake malfunctioning and caused the rotors and brake pads to warp when the parking brake come on suddenly while I was moving from a spot I was parked at,”
NHTSA complaint #10532655, filed 2013-07, 110,000 milesOther BMW models
3,165 complaintsBMW 328I
2,576 complaintsBMW X3
2,016 complaintsBMW 325I
1,377 complaintsBMW Z4
1,271 complaintsBMW 3 Series
832 complaintsBMW 528I
830 complaintsBMW 330I
813 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology