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BMW 745IModel year report

2003 BMW 745I Problems

Complaints
32filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
74,000miles, 26 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 4.4L 8-cyl RWD · 16 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 BMW 745I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2003 BMW 745I. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 9 complaints (28% of the total), followed by brakes (6) and air bags (4). 26 of the complaints include a mileage, and 42% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 74,000 miles. Of all complaints, 8 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 24 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Interior lighting (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seats (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “I just bought a 2003 Bmw 745I with 63k on the dash. I have had this car for two months and the transmission is gone. I have just purchased a ew. But what can I do because this is not right and I bought it from a Bmw dealer. They said the vehicle was inspected a good to go. Bad business and this is a rip of for about 7k for a new transmission.”

NHTSA complaint #10375195, filed 2011-01, 63,000 miles

Brakes: “The car displayed an error message stating parking brake malfunction . When I applied the parking brake it did not work. I took the car to the dealership for repair. I paid a total of 1300 dollars to have the parking brake replaced. I later researched this problem on line and found that this is a very common occurrence with many models of Bmw's.”

NHTSA complaint #10485966, filed 2012-11, 94,000 miles

Air bags: “Following error when driving vehicle: fault in pass-restraint system affecting airbag, belt tensioner or belt-force limiter. Fasten and continue to wear seatbelts. Please contact the nearest Bmw center in the navigation system when starting the car. 2003 Bmw 745I. This model/year was not included in prior recall.”

NHTSA complaint #10679219, filed 2015-01, 95,000 miles

Electrical system: “The contact owns a 2003 Bmw 745I. While driving 70 MPH, the fan belt fractured and an unknown warning indicator illuminated, which meant that the vehicle was overheating. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. A week later, the hood was opened and smoke was seen coming from the computer panel as a fire started. The contact extinguished the fire with a water hose and disconnected the battery. The vehicle stopped smoking once the battery was disconnected. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was not available.”

NHTSA complaint #11119569, filed 2018-08, 130,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

42% of the 26 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 22,000 and 100,000 miles.

15%0–1012%10–2515%25–508%50–7523%75–10019%100–1508%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (26 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 74,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

6200520082011201320152023
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 BMW 745I version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
745i RWD4.4L 8-cyl6-speed automatic162419$4,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2003 BMW 745I → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 24 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 24 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW 745I

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
200516109,4103—19—Stable
20042484,2300—19—Falling
20033274,0002—19Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20025495,4002—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All BMW 745I model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 BMW 745I have?

NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2003 BMW 745I as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 BMW 745I is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 9 complaints (28% of the total), followed by brakes with 6.

Has the 2003 BMW 745I been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 BMW 745I get?

The EPA rates the 2003 BMW 745I (745i, 4.4L 8-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 BMW 745I reported?

Among the 26 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 74,000 miles and the middle half falls between 22,000 and 100,000 miles; 42% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.