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Electrical systemPart report

2003 BMW 745I Electrical system Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
13%of 32 total for the year
Median mileage
112,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 BMW 745I, 13% of the 32 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 112,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 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.

“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

“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

“The contact owns a 2003 Bmw 745I. After the contact started the vehicle, the passenger restraint system, seat belt, and air bag warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The indicators were reset by selecting the hard drive button located on the GPS panel; however, the indicators were illuminated again the following day when the engine was started. The failure occurred consistently thereafter. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 72,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10615634, filed 2014-07, 72,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2003 Bmw 745I. The contact stated that after exiting the vehicle, the vehicle rolled away. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a telephone pole. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 12v502000 (electrical system, power train). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,000. Updated 02/09/15 the consumer no longer owns the vehicle. Updated 10/7/2015”

NHTSA complaint #10667569, filed 2014-12, 153,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2005425%
2004938%
2003413%
2002815%

Other parts of the 2003 BMW 745I

Transmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsInterior lighting
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 BMW 745I

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