2004 BMW 745I Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 25%of 24 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,890miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine of the 2004 BMW 745I, 25% of the 24 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,890 miles. 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“I have a 2004 Bmw 745I, I noticed a lot of smoke coming from tail pipe when the car is idling/driving. I took it in for a diagnostic at a replicable repair shop, and I was told the valve guide seal's where worn and needed replacement. The problem is that the valve guide seals becomes hard over time and doesn't provide a proper seal for the valve stem's. This allows oil to pass through the valve stem seals and enter the combustion chamber and the exhaust.( not only does this cause pollution) it damages the cat converter therefore you can not pass a smog test. …”
NHTSA complaint #10561726, filed 2014-01, 136,000 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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 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…
- 10147598Jan 1, 2015"SUBJECT N62TU: ISTA Service Function for DME ""RAM Backup"". The ISTA Service Function test plan should be performed to clear stored values in the DME RAM memory after repairs…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 BMW 745I
11 complaintsElectrical system
9 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