BMW 745LI Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 144 consumer complaints across the 4 model years of the BMW 745LI (2002–2005) that have at least 5 complaints. 2003 has the most, with 50. Across all years, the part named most often is air bags (35 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All 745LI model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 25 | 79,750 | 3 | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 33 | 95,500 | 0 | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2003 | 50 | 100,000 | 2 | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 36 | 97,000 | 2 | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Air bags35 21%
- Transmission and drivetrain32 20%
- Electrical system22 13%
- Brakes21 13%
- Fuel system14 8.6%
- Engine cooling14 8.6%
- Engine13 8.0%
- Seat belts12 7.4%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2005: “My vehicle stalls in traffic and once it cuts off there is no way to put it in neutral. A police tried to help me out and told me that is a safety hazard. I keep having this problem especially when I'm driving on highways once it cuts off there's no way for me to steer off of the road. It's frightening.”
NHTSA complaint #10622607, filed 2014-08, 130,000 miles2003: “While driving approximately 25 MPH and applying pressure to the brake pedal it became difficult to engage the brakes and almost rear ended a stopped vehicle. The brakes where no longer functioning properly after that. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where I was told vacuum brake pump, the lock ring seal, and the brake booster needed to be replaced. After some research I found out that there was a recall for my vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10935554, filed 2016-12, 116,000 miles2004: “Car was stationary on the side of the street. I simply got out of my vehicle and the next thing I know, it started rolling down the hillon its own. Vehicle hit another vehicle and then hit a nearby wall. Total loss.”
NHTSA complaint #10861418, filed 2016-04, 121,000 milesOther BMW models
3,165 complaintsBMW 328I
2,576 complaintsBMW X3
2,016 complaintsBMW 325I
1,377 complaintsBMW Z4
1,271 complaintsBMW 3 Series
832 complaintsBMW 528I
830 complaintsBMW 330I
813 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology