2003 BMW 745LI Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 22%of 50 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 129,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 BMW 745LI, 22% of the 50 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 129,500 miles. 1 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.
“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“The contact owns a 2003 Bmw 745LI. After placing the vehicle in park, the contact noticed that the gear shifted independently into neutral. The contact called Bmw of sterling located in sterling, virginia and was informed that he had to pay for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the passenger air bag malfunction warning indicator illuminated continuously. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 181,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11031541, filed 2017-10, 181,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Bmw 745LI. The contact stated that the air bag indicator light illuminated. In addition, the seat belts failed simultaneously. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The vehicle also could not be shifted from park. The contact had to leave the vehicle engaged in neutral in order to remove the key from the ignition and apply the emergency brake. The failure and the current mileage was 171,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10485426, filed 2012-11, 171,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Bmw 745l. The contact stated that while starting the ignition, the air bag passenger restraint warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis where they stated that the front passenger's restraint module would need to be replaced. There was a recall associated with the 2006 Bmw 745LI model vehicle but not the 2003 model (NHTSA campaign id number:13v564000: air bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000. The VIN was unavailable.”
NHTSA complaint #10584033, filed 2014-04, 142,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Bmw 745LI . The contact stated that the alarm would activate on its own. In addition, the air bag and seat belt warning lights would illuminate on the instrument panel for no reason. The navigation system would flash on and off as if there were an electrical short whenever he would stop the vehicle or depress the brake pedal. The dealer would not make any repairs because the warranty was expired. The failure and current mileages were less than 80,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10275346, filed 2009-06, 80,000 milesAir bags: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 BMW 745LI
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsTires
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsSuspension
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 BMW 745LI
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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