2004 BMW 745I Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 38%of 24 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 79,550miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 BMW 745I, 38% of the 24 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,550 miles. 3 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.
“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 miles“I was driving on the expressway and everything went haywire and all the lights came on and the engine felt like it shut off. After I pulled over I shut it off and tried turning it back on but it wouldn't start. I sat on the side of the road for 25 min and tried it again and it finally turned back on.”
NHTSA complaint #10472584, filed 2012-08, 79,550 miles“My vehicle is displaying the exact symptoms described in your previous recalls (04v344000 and 03v240000). The car stalls and won't restart, check engine lights go crazy, transmission failsafe and stability control warnings come on, valvetronic desynchronization, ect. Went to a Bmw dealer and they denied either of these recalls existed. Called Bmw corporate and they said my car is not affected by the recalls, which is obviously not true considering the problems it has and the uncanny resemblance to your recall descriptions. Bmw has offered no assistance, can you?”
NHTSA complaint #10560824, filed 2014-01, 84,230 miles“Bmw 745I 2004 ..error code for headlights appear on dash..I went and replace all light bulbs then noticed all the wiring in the headlight unit are bridle and broken down causing shortages and electrical problems...very dangerous if driving can actually cause a fire”
NHTSA complaint #11341221, filed 2020-07, 2 miles“Entire instrument cluster lost power and went black. No speedometer, no tachometer. No warning lights working. Nothing is working through the instrument panel. Could not tell how fast I was traveling, or if turn signals were working, safety hazard.”
NHTSA complaint #10471383, filed 2012-08, 52,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery…
- 10245422Nov 22, 2023Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleâÂÂs equipment and settings, no acoustic or…
- 10182619Oct 1, 2020Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has…
- 10146779Nov 1, 2016Diagnosing Stored Fault Codes to Help Avoid Repeat Repair Visits This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B07 03 14 dated October 2015.. Fault codes stored in vehicles…
- 10151115Feb 1, 2016SUBJECT Audio System Speaker Testing. For audio system speaker testing there is a NED (Non Electrical Diagnosis) Test Plan available. CAUSE We previously recommended use of the…
- 10151068Feb 1, 2016This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B07 03 14 dated October 2015. Diagnosing Stored Fault Codes to Help Avoid Repeat Repair Visits. Fault codes stored in vehicles…
- 10147123May 1, 2015Diagnosing Stored Fault Codes to Help Avoid Repeat Repair Visits. Analysis of FASTA data and repeat repair visit reports indicates that there are many fault codes that are stored…
- 10147067Feb 1, 2015This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B07 03 14 dated February 2015. designates changes to this revision SUBJECT Diagnosing Stored Fault Codes to Help Avoid Repeat…
- 10148166Dec 1, 2014N62TU: EDK Throttle Potentiometer Faults - Diagnostic. The "Service Engine Soon" and DSC/DTC warning lights are illuminated. Engine enters the power reduction ("fail-safe") mode…
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 BMW 745I
11 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 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