2003 BMW 745LI Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report airbag or restraint warning lights that stay on, and many also describe transmission problems such as harsh or jumping shifts and gears that will not engage. Engine stalling and rough running come up next, while a group of brake complaints describes a vacuum pump or power assist problem tied to a recall repair that owners say was incomplete or not covered. Mileage varies widely, with many complaints filed at 100,000 miles or more, though some transmission reports come from much lower mileage.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Airbag or passenger restraint warning light stays on

   • 11 complaints (22%)
   • median 136,500 mi at 10.5 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2019

   Owners describe the airbag or passenger restraint warning light coming on and staying on, sometimes after service and in some cases for months. According to complaints, the dealer advised that a front passenger restraint module or seat sensor needed replacement, and dealers in some cases were not sure the airbags would deploy in a crash. Some complaints say the vehicle was not repaired, and a few describe the airbags not deploying in a crash or a seat airbag not working. Where mileage is listed, these reports range from about 75,000 to 202,000 miles, with many at 100,000 miles or more.

   What to check: Ask whether the airbag and passenger restraint system has been fully diagnosed with a scan, and whether the seat sensor or restraint module has been checked. Confirm the warning light is off with the key on and during a test drive, since owners describe it staying on for months.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle is a 2003 Bmw 745LI that has an drive system and the latest warning note came up on the idrive screen that says, fault in pass.-restraint system affecting airbag, belt tensioner or belt-force limiter. Fasten and continue to wear belts. Please contact the nearest Bmw center .”

   NHTSA complaint #10454474, filed 2012-04

   “The contact owns a 2003 Bmw 745LI. After the vehicle was serviced, the air bag warning light illuminated continuously. In addition, the tension seat belt warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 202,082.”

   NHTSA complaint #10884208, filed 2016-07, 202,082 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shifting faults and gears not engaging

   • 10 complaints (20%)
   • median 86,303 mi at 7.8 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2003–2017

   Owners describe clunking or harsh downshifts, the car jumping into gear, and transmission fluid leaks. Others describe gears that would not engage, the shifter moving into neutral after parking, or the car going into reverse while in park and drive. According to complaints, transmissions were replaced in some cases, and in a case where a rebuilt unit was installed the reverse problem came back. Where mileage is listed, these reports range from about 6,000 to 181,000 miles, and some are at low mileage.

   What to check: Test the shift from park to reverse and drive, repeating it a few times, and check that the car does not move in the wrong direction or shift on its own. Ask whether any transmission replacement or rebuild is documented, and have a mechanic scan for shifter and transmission fault codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “11/09 driverside window regulator replaced;constantly replacing driver side turn signal bulb; in approx. March 2010 car would randomly not go into reverse and when I was able to get it into drive car would feel sluggish or when coming to a stop felt as if I was hit from behind or car would go into failsafe mode and I would be unable to accelerate, had diagnosed by Bmw was told 10k+ to have tranny replaced ; found a rebuilt tranny and replaced in approx. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10418836, filed 2011-08, 109,606 miles

   “Terrible transmission in this car!!!while driving, this car jumps into gear. Feels like someone hit me from behind whenever I stop. It also started leaking transmission fluid. After researching this car, I have found out the 745LI models are known for transmission problems,and leaks. This car should have a recall on it,because apparently Bmw knows this,and has done nothing about it. They should make consumers aware they have ongoing problems with the transmissions. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10470881, filed 2012-08, 143,000 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Engine stalling or rough running with warning light

   • 7 complaints (14%)
   • median 57,000 mi at 9.0 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2004–2015

   Owners describe the engine stalling while driving, at speeds from about 10 mph to highway speed, sometimes after an engine malfunction message or warning light appeared. Some say the car ran very rough and was hard to restart, and a service center could not identify the problem before proposing costly engine work without certainty. A complaint says the emission filter and fuel pump needed replacement, and another says a dealer called the stalling a design feature. Where mileage is listed, these reports range from about 10,000 to 160,000 miles.

   Recall 03V2400002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the valvetronic software recall 03V240000 was completed on this VIN, and whether the fuel pump and emission filter were replaced. Have a mechanic read the stored fault codes, since the warning light and stalling are described together in some complaints.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On several occasions my Bmw 74li 2003 has registered a engine malfunction after traveling long distance at 55 miles per hour. The engine would stall on the last time the company try to state that it was the gas but that is not true, I have always used high octane per the owner's manual. I have come across several complaints regarding the 5 series and 3 series and I am sure the same problem is happening in the 7series. The Bmw needs to look into this problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10345069, filed 2010-07, 22,000 miles

   “I purchased the car in kansas in july 2003. The first week after I purchased the car I contacted the dealership about a problem with the car stalling out. The dealership told me it was a design feature. I moved out of the state and contacted a dealership in the corpus christi, tx area about the continuing problem. Over the past year I have had several occassions when the stalling was such that the car would fail and place me and/or my family in near accidents. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10079062, filed 2004-06
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake vacuum pump or power assist failures

   • 6 complaints (12%)
   • median 112,000 mi at 9.0 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2016

   Owners describe a brake vacuum pump or booster leaking or failing, which reduced power assist so the brakes were hard to engage. In another complaint, a brake warning light came on at about 40 to 45 mph. Some say the recall work was only partly done and the pump or related parts were not covered, so the owner would pay, and according to complaints the dealer refused recall work until a leaking pump was replaced. Where mileage is listed, these reports range from about 68,800 to 153,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the brake vacuum pump recall work was completed on this VIN, and whether any pump or booster replacement is documented. Have a mechanic check the power brake assist, look for oil leaks at the vacuum pump and hose, and confirm the brake warning light is off.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 miles

   “The 2003 Bmw 745LI has a recall campaign no.10v-446: brake vacuum pump. Took car in to local dealer and dealer refused to perform recall due to vacuum pump leaking oil, and must be replaced first full of charge at $1300.00usd. When in recall letter it states the problem to be small amount of oil could leak from the brake vacuum pump into the vacuum hose, dealer claims there are to only replace vacuum line hose. I don't have the money to perform the service and the moment so now I must drive vehicle with faulty brakes! Thanks Bmw USA!”

   NHTSA complaint #10468771, filed 2012-08, 109,000 miles

Buying note. Buyers considering this model year should confirm that any brake recall work and transmission repairs are documented for the specific VIN, and have a mechanic check the power brake assist and shifting on a test drive. Airbag warning lights and stalling also appear often in complaints, so a scan for stored fault codes before purchase is worthwhile.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 41 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.