2003 BMW 745I Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 28%of 32 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 BMW 745I, 28% of the 32 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, 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 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“I am the first and only owner of a 2003 Bmw 745I. At four hundred miles the transmission was replaced due problems shifting etc. At roughly 7500 miles the car while sitting at a stoplight launched itself into the rear end of a SUV causing vehicle damage to the front end of my car. My foot was firmly on the brake yet it still moved. Three weks ago while coasting down a steep freeway decline, the engine revved to 5000 RPM- my foot was not on the gas pedal and the transmission was in gear. Bmw has had the car for thee weeks and can find no problems and wishes to return it to me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10117966, filed 2005-04, 8,900 miles“Transmission overheats and stalls. While coming to a stop, the car jerks before the stop feels like a someone ran into my bumper with there car. Transmission overheats per dash warning.”
NHTSA complaint #10397259, filed 2011-04, 95,160 miles“While vehicle was parked it slipped into neutral. This caused the vehicle to move and hit a wall. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10106930, filed 2005-01, 5,300 miles“New Bmw 745I was purchased on october 29, 2003. Since january 2004, vehicle has on three separate occasions exhibited transmission failure. On each occasion, the vehicle would exhibit very hard shifting, followed by violent jerking, halting and downshifting while traveling at speed on the street or highway, throwing the passengers forward violently. Multiple transmission warning sounds and messages are displayed. Loud metallic grinding and rattling noises come from the transmission area. The car throws itself into park as the car slows to make a stop. …”
NHTSA complaint #10072452, filed 2004-05, 4,400 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 BMW 745I
6 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsElectrical system
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 30, 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