2004 BMW 745I Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 46%of 24 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,115miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 BMW 745I, 46% of the 24 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,115 miles. 3 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 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“Loss of acceleration while driving the car. Happens when you accelerate quickly specially while changing the lane. When this happens, the instrument panel goes dark, then I need to pull over shut the car and restart. When the mechanic diagnosed it, based on the DTC code, he first recommended changing the battery, which I did. The problem remained the same, and based on the DTC code changed the alternator. And the problem is still there. Bmw refuses to pay for the repair, they say that this can happen due to the age of the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10683789, filed 2015-02, 73,900 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“The electric parking gear shift slipped out of park on it own. When I stepped out of the car and the gear was placed in P park position, I got out the car was completely in park and not moving, I went to open my garage and planned to come back and drive car in garage. The car automatically with no one driving slipped into another gear on its own, I looked up as I was opening garage the car was driving towards me and pinned me in between the garage and car. I was stuck and screaming for help I almost lost my life a neighbor ran over and put it in reverse and saved my life. …”
NHTSA complaint #11483481, filed 2022-09Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 BMW 745I
9 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 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