2005 BMW 745LI Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 20%of 25 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 130,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 BMW 745LI, 20% of the 25 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 130,000 miles. 2 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.
“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 miles“Transmission slams from second to first gear, feels like a bump from another car in the back. Transmission was replaced with issue still their dealership said cant find problem and nothing is wrong. Problem still happening factory warranty now unavailable.”
NHTSA complaint #10336725, filed 2010-06, 49,000 miles“My Bmw is still dead as a door knob sitting where it was last sitting after I had gotten it from the Bmw service department last going on about 2 months ago. Some of the lights on the dashboard that are still flashing on and off before and after the new batteries were installed 1.transmission failsafe drive moderately 2.dynamic drive inactive 3.engine overheating light was going on and off continuously. 4.the recharge battery light was still flashing on and off. …”
NHTSA complaint #10291429, filed 2009-11“My Bmw is still dead as a door knob sitting where it was last sitting after I had gotten it from the Bmw service department last going on about 2 months ago. Some of the lights on the dashboard that are still flashing on and off before and after the new batteries were installed 1. Transmission failsafe drive moderately 2. Dynamic drive inactive 3. Engine overheating light was going on and off continuously. 4. The recharge battery light was still flashing on and off. …”
NHTSA complaint #10291502, filed 2009-11“The contact owns a 2005 Bmw 745LI. The contact stated when attempting to place the vehicle in park, the transmission shift back to neutral without warning. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician was unable to diagnose the problem. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 12v502000 (electrical system, power train) however, the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10678635, filed 2015-01, 145,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 BMW 745LI
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 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