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BMW 745IModel year report

2005 BMW 745I Problems

Complaints
16filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
109,410miles, 12 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 4.4L 8-cyl RWD · 16 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 BMW 745I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2005 BMW 745I. The part named most often is electrical system, with 4 complaints (25% of the total), followed by air bags (3) and latches, locks and linkages (3). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 8% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 109,410 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 29 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the switch and 13 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “I have been having several electrical issues on my 2005 745I the issues I am having are all electrical and brakes, drivers side window not initiated, license plate lamp not initiated, trunk button not working on dash panel or key fob or button on trunk lid, parking brake malfunctioning and caused the rotors and brake pads to warp when the parking brake come on suddenly while I was moving from a spot I was parked at,”

NHTSA complaint #10532655, filed 2013-07, 110,000 miles

Air bags: “Car is a 2005 Bmw 745I. Driver's side occupant sensor (in seat) has cracked and is causing airbag light to illuminate and as I understand is disabling the driver's side airbag. There is already a recall on the car for the passenger-side sensor cracking, which is a very similar part. Dealership and Bmw USA is refusing to assist me, I believe that due to the similarities in nature to the passenger-side seat sensor recall, the drivers-side seat sensor needs to be looked into as well for obvious safety reasons.”

NHTSA complaint #10289980, filed 2009-10, 84,000 miles

Latches, locks and linkages: “My car was repaired back in 9/8/2008 for non functioning door handles and locks. Since the replacement of these parts the doors have opened without notice at highway speeds. I have brought the car back to the dealer and they said the software needed to be updated, so they updated the software and said it was fixed. So I continued to drive the vehicle since they said it was fixed. I was going on a road trip with my family in this vehicle, and during this road trip I was getting off the highway on an exit ramp and the door swung completely open and my dog almost fell out of the car. …”

NHTSA complaint #10278164, filed 2009-07, 85,000 miles

Brakes: “Power brake failure. We never received october 2010 recall notice from Bmw USA. Dealership diagnosed leaking vacuum pump but never advised owner to replace/repair; dealership had two opportunities to correct, but didn't.”

NHTSA complaint #10398980, filed 2011-04, 108,820 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

8% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 85,000 and 111,245 miles.

8%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–7533%75–10042%100–15017%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (12 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 109,410 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

20093201020113201332015201732019
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2005 BMW 745I version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
745i RWD4.4L 8-cyl6-speed automatic162419$4,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2005 BMW 745I → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 29 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 29 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW 745I

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
200516109,4103—19—Stable
20042484,2300—19—Falling
20033274,0002—19Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20025495,4002—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All BMW 745I model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 BMW 745I have?

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2005 BMW 745I as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 BMW 745I is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 4 complaints (25% of the total), followed by air bags with 3.

Has the 2005 BMW 745I been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2005 BMW 745I get?

The EPA rates the 2005 BMW 745I (745i, 4.4L 8-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2005 BMW 745I reported?

Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 109,410 miles and the middle half falls between 85,000 and 111,245 miles; 8% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.