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U.S. public vehicle records

Bmw 545I brakes problems

20 complaint narratives mention brakes terms.

Key facts

122 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

92,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2004 to 2005 model years. Data updated: . 101 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Braking behavior evidence

20 of 122 complaints match this topic (16.4%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.

Owner report 10425430 · 2011-09-14 (September 14, 2011)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 540 FIVE I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). AFTER REPAIRS, OIL CONTINUED TO LEAK INTO THE BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 98,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10425430 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10444481 · 2012-01-19 (January 19, 2012)

ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AFTER THE STALL. LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKE POWER ASSIST WHEN VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE STALLS VERY PERIODICALLY AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF OPERATION. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER 3 TIMES AND WERE UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL WIRING TO FIX PROBLEM BUT PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. ALSO A BRAND NEW ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED AND STILL SAME PROBLEMS AROSE. MESSAGE CENTER WOULD DISPLAY "TRANSMISSION FAULT" DRIVE MODERATELY. *TT

Owner-reported narrative. 101,565 miles reported. Look up ODI 10444481 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10465857 · 2012-07-16 (July 16, 2012)

INTERMITTENT HARSH 2-1 DOWNSHIFT (JOLT) WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH LIGHT BRAKE APPLICATION. JOLTS AND/OR JERKS FELT WHEN REACCELERATING AFTER COASTING. JUDDER WHEN GENTLY ACCELERATING (MOST NOTICEABLE AT AN ENGINE SPEED BELOW 2,000 RPM). *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10465857 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10556154 · 2013-12-16 (December 16, 2013)

MAIN PROBLEM: VEHICLE EXHIBITS HIGHLY UNSAFE TENDENCIES OF TURNING OFF RANDOMLY, LEAVING THE DRIVER WITH NO POWER, NO FUNCTIONING GAUGES, NO FUNCTIONING LIGHTS, AND MORE. CAUSE: FAULTY ALTERNATOR AND VOLTAGE REGULATOR. SCENARIO: ON 12/21/2012, A 2004 BMW 545I VEHICLE WITH APPROXIMATELY 29,000 MILES ON ITS ODOMETER IS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY DRIVING 70MPH, HIGHWAY IS FLAT AND SPEED IS CONSTANT WITH VERY LIGHT TRAFFIC. WITHOUT WARNING, CAR COMPLETELY TURNS OFF, ALL GAUGES (SPEED, TACHOMETER, AND FUEL) REVERT TO "0" POSITION, RADIO TURNS O…

Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10556154 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10587017 · 2014-05-07 (May 7, 2014)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PUMP, BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP SEAL, AND THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAG…

Owner-reported narrative. 121,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10587017 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

122 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

82.8%Usable mileage101 / 122 records
100.0%Valid incident date122 / 122 records
100.0%Valid filing date122 / 122 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates122 / 122 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component20042005
Air Bags
1840.9%
ODI 10459188 · 88,000 mi

THERE IS A BMW SERVICE BULLETIN SI B 65 75 06 WHERE THEY SAY THEY WILL FIX AN AIRBAG AND SEATBELT ISSUE ON E60, E61 (5 SERIES) VEHICLES PRODUCED UP TO 11/2005. THE BULLETIN SAYS IT IS DUE TO OC3 SEAT MAT FAULT. DUE TO PARTS DEFECT THEY ALSO COVER IT WITH AN ADDITIONAL 10 YEAR WARRANTY ACCORDING TO THE BULLETIN. MY BMW 5 SERIES WAS MANUFACTURED IN 08/04 AND CURRENTLY HAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE OUTLINED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. HE SAID THAT I HAVE MICRO CRACKS IN MY OC3 SEAT MAT AND THATS WHY MY AIRBAGS ARE NOW OFF ALL T…

Look up ODI 10459188 at NHTSA ↗

3139.7%
ODI 10436891 · 104,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG AND POWER TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE ALSO OCCASIONALLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND MADE THE CONTACT AWARE OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V504000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) RECALL, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT ASSOCIATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE…

Look up ODI 10436891 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System
1227.3%
ODI 10475298

ON BMW WITH THE N62 4.4L V8 ENGINE THERE'S AN OIL LEAK ON THE ALTERNATOR BRACKET THAT LEAKS FOR A WHILE UNTIL IT IS INSPECTED AND FOUND IT LEAKS OIL ON THE STEERING COMPONENTS I THINK CAUSING THE STEERING COMPONENTS TO DETERIORATE AFTER A WHILE CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. THE OIL LEAK EVENTUALLY HAPPENS TO ALL N62 4.4L V8 ENGINES. *TR

Look up ODI 10475298 at NHTSA ↗

1417.9%
ODI 10168026

2005 BMW 545I STEERING MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED, STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS DIDN'T WORK WHEN IT RAINED, HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF AT NIGHT TIME, AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *KB THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WENT BLANK, THE TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK. THE STEERING COLUMN MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BECAUSE WATER WAS FOUND IN THE LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT WHICH HAD DAMAGED THE WIRES.*JB

Look up ODI 10168026 at NHTSA ↗

Power Train
818.2%
ODI 10444481 · 101,565 mi

ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AFTER THE STALL. LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKE POWER ASSIST WHEN VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE STALLS VERY PERIODICALLY AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF OPERATION. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER 3 TIMES AND WERE UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL WIRING TO FIX PROBLEM BUT PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. ALSO A BRAND NEW ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED AND STILL SAME PROBLEMS AROSE. MESSAGE CENTER WOULD DISPLAY "TRANSMISSION FAULT" DRIVE MODERATELY. *TT

Look up ODI 10444481 at NHTSA ↗

810.3%
ODI 10406454 · 67,500 mi

I HAVE BEEN REVIEWING BLOGS ON THE 2005 BMW 545I SERIES. ABOUT A MONTH AGO I STARTED EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH MY CAR. THE CAR IS ACCELERATING AT TIMES ON ITS OWN AS I SWITCH THE TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE AND I LET GO OF THE BRAKE. IT GIVES A BOOST OF ACCELERATION WHERE I ALMOST HIT MY GARAGE DOOR. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN I ROLL FROM A STOP SIGN THE CAR EXPERIENCES A BIG JOLT AS IF I JUST GOT REAR ENDED. IT IS SO HARD THAT MY 4 YEAR OLD GOT FLUSTERED AND STARTED TO CRY. AT 30-40 MILES THE CAR STARTED TO JERK AS WELL. I TOOK IT INTO BMW BUT SINCE…

Look up ODI 10406454 at NHTSA ↗

Seat Belts
511.4%
ODI 10459188 · 88,000 mi

THERE IS A BMW SERVICE BULLETIN SI B 65 75 06 WHERE THEY SAY THEY WILL FIX AN AIRBAG AND SEATBELT ISSUE ON E60, E61 (5 SERIES) VEHICLES PRODUCED UP TO 11/2005. THE BULLETIN SAYS IT IS DUE TO OC3 SEAT MAT FAULT. DUE TO PARTS DEFECT THEY ALSO COVER IT WITH AN ADDITIONAL 10 YEAR WARRANTY ACCORDING TO THE BULLETIN. MY BMW 5 SERIES WAS MANUFACTURED IN 08/04 AND CURRENTLY HAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE OUTLINED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. HE SAID THAT I HAVE MICRO CRACKS IN MY OC3 SEAT MAT AND THATS WHY MY AIRBAGS ARE NOW OFF ALL T…

Look up ODI 10459188 at NHTSA ↗

911.5%
ODI 10330465 · 51,050 mi

ON MAY 12TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 545I BMW AT 8PM WITH MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DISPLAY INDICATED A WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION (WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR CONTROL SPEED OF WIPERS). AFTER A FEW MORE MILES, I NOTICED THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION TO ANY OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, NOR DID THE TURN SIGNALS WORK (WOULD NOT STAY ON UNLESS HELD DOWN). ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, SEAT BELT TENSIONERS MAY NOT FUNCTION, AND THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, INDICATING THAT T…

Look up ODI 10330465 at NHTSA ↗

Engine
1022.7%
ODI 10465857 · 75,000 mi

INTERMITTENT HARSH 2-1 DOWNSHIFT (JOLT) WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH LIGHT BRAKE APPLICATION. JOLTS AND/OR JERKS FELT WHEN REACCELERATING AFTER COASTING. JUDDER WHEN GENTLY ACCELERATING (MOST NOTICEABLE AT AN ENGINE SPEED BELOW 2,000 RPM). *TR

Look up ODI 10465857 at NHTSA ↗

22.6%
ODI 11014948 · 160,000 mi

CERTAIN BMW MODELS INCLUDING E60 2005 545I ALMOST ALL REQUIRE VALVE SEAL REPLACEMENT DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. THIS RESULTS IN OIL LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE AND SECONDARY AIR INJECTOR CAUSING SMOKE TO EMIT OUT OF THE TAILPIPES. ALTHOUGH MY CAR PASSED AL COMPUTERIZED SMOG CHECKS, IT DID NOT PASS THE NEW VISUAL TEST BECAUSE OF THESE FAULTY VALVE STEM SEALS. THIS OCCURS AFTE IDLING THE ENGINE FOR 10 MINUTES. THE REPAIR COSTS FOR THIS ARE ABOUT EQUAL TO THE RETAIL VALUE OF THE CAR. EVERY MECHANIC I'VE SPOKEN TO BELIEVES THIS SHOULD BE RE…

Look up ODI 11014948 at NHTSA ↗

Steering
49.1%
ODI 10453642

THE BATTERY DIED SO I GOT A NEW ONE. AFTER REINSTALLING IT, ALL THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. THE ACTIVE STEERING CAME ON ALSO. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR OFF THE LOT, I REALIZED MY STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT BUT I WAS GOING STRAIGHT. NOW I CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX THIS ISSUE. *JS

Look up ODI 10453642 at NHTSA ↗

56.4%
ODI 10168026

2005 BMW 545I STEERING MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED, STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS DIDN'T WORK WHEN IT RAINED, HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF AT NIGHT TIME, AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *KB THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WENT BLANK, THE TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK. THE STEERING COLUMN MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BECAUSE WATER WAS FOUND IN THE LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT WHICH HAD DAMAGED THE WIRES.*JB

Look up ODI 10168026 at NHTSA ↗

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
24.5%
ODI 10425430 · 90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 540 FIVE I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). AFTER REPAIRS, OIL CONTINUED TO LEAK INTO THE BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 98,000.

Look up ODI 10425430 at NHTSA ↗

56.4%
ODI 10297963 · 42,000 mi

BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

Look up ODI 10297963 at NHTSA ↗

Air Bags:Frontal
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

67.7%
ODI 10330465 · 51,050 mi

ON MAY 12TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 545I BMW AT 8PM WITH MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DISPLAY INDICATED A WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION (WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR CONTROL SPEED OF WIPERS). AFTER A FEW MORE MILES, I NOTICED THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION TO ANY OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, NOR DID THE TURN SIGNALS WORK (WOULD NOT STAY ON UNLESS HELD DOWN). ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, SEAT BELT TENSIONERS MAY NOT FUNCTION, AND THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, INDICATING THAT T…

Look up ODI 10330465 at NHTSA ↗

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Air Bags81,520–122,701 mi104,000 mi41
ODI 10459188 · 88,000 mi

THERE IS A BMW SERVICE BULLETIN SI B 65 75 06 WHERE THEY SAY THEY WILL FIX AN AIRBAG AND SEATBELT ISSUE ON E60, E61 (5 SERIES) VEHICLES PRODUCED UP TO 11/2005. THE BULLETIN SAYS IT IS DUE TO OC3 SEAT MAT FAULT. DUE TO PARTS DEFECT THEY ALSO COVER IT WITH AN ADDITIONAL 10 YEAR WARRANTY ACCORDING TO THE BULLETIN. MY BMW 5 SERIES WAS MANUFACTURED IN 08/04 AND CURRENTLY HAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE OUTLINED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. HE SAID THAT I HAVE MICRO CRACKS IN MY OC3 SEAT MAT AND THATS WHY MY AIRBAGS ARE NOW OFF ALL T…

Look up ODI 10459188 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10512462 · 104,000 mi

WHEN I GOT UP OUT THE SEAT THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT INDICATOR CAME ON AND IS STILL ON. IT SAYS PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. AND IT WILL NOT DEPLOY AIRBAGS. ALSO THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW OIL LEAKS IN THE ENGINE. *TR

Look up ODI 10512462 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10532187 · 66,627 mi

I PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE ON 2012, THREE DAYS AFTER THE PURCHASE, I COME BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, BECAUSE "AIR BAG LIGHT ITS ON", TWO DAYS LATER WHEN I PICK UP MY CAR, AIR BAGS LIGHTS STILL ON, THE MECHANIC SAID ITS A SENSOR. A YEAR LATER BRING THE CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, WHO SAID ITS "NO AIR BAG CONNECTED" WHICH SCARED ME BECAUSE ME AND MY ENTIRE FAMILY ARE ON RISK, WHAT HAPPENED IF WE CRASH? WHERE ITS THE AIR BAGS? THEY WAS DEPLOYED BEFORE IN A CAR ACCIDENT WITH A PREVIOUS OWNER, BUT DEALERSHIP DON'T TELL ME NOTHING ABOUT THIS, THEY SOLD ME THE…

Look up ODI 10532187 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System90,477–134,304 mi119,500 mi20
ODI 10486122 · 156,215 mi

TRANSMISSION JERKS AND SLIPS. WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR. THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT IF THIS OCCURRED DURING WET OR ICY ROAD CONDITIONS DUE TO BREAKING TRACTION FROM WHEELS AND ROAD SURFACE. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AND AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THOUSANDS OF 5 SERIES BMW'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE RESULT IS A DEFECTIVE MECHATRONICS WHICH COSTS BETWEEN $5000-$8000 TO FIX AND NOT COVERED BY BMW OR UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Look up ODI 10486122 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10511606 · 87,000 mi

VEHICLE SLIPS IN AN OUT OF 5TH AND 6TH GEAR WHEN TRAVELING AT CONSTANT 35 TO 40 MPH IN AUTO MODE AND AROUND 60 MPH IN DS MODE. NOTICEABLE OIL LEAKS AS WELL AS OCCASIONAL SMOKE FROM TAILPIPE AND VEHICLE BANGS INTO GEAR ( WHILE DOWNSHIFTING ON OCCASION) ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMS TO CUT OUT FOR A SPLIT SECOND WHILE DRIVING. HEADS UP DISPLAY AND RADIO ILLUSTRATES THIS FINDING AS THEY SHUT OFF FOR A SECOND. THE CLOCK IS ALSO BEHIND A FEW MINUTES / WEEK BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR

Look up ODI 10511606 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10542730 · 71,487 mi

CUSTOM ORDERED 545I IN 2004 AS STILL ORIGINAL/EXISTING OWNER. HAVE HAD REPEATED ELECTRICAL ERRORS ON I DRIVE "DYNAMIC DRIVE FAILURE PROCEED WITH CAUTION AS THE STEERING HAS BEEN EFFECTED AND SEE YOUR BMW AUTHORIZED REP," "ELECTRICAL FAILURE SEE YOUR BMW AUTHORIZED REP. IMMEDIATELY PROCEED WITH CAUTION, "PASSENGER RESTRAINT FAULT PROCEED WITH CAUTION EFFECTING BELT AND BELT FORCE LIMITER, STALLING AT VERY LOW AND AS HIGH RATES OF SPEED AS HIGH AS 70 MPH WITHOUT ANY WARNING." SOMETIMES THE CAR LOGS THE ERRORS AND MANY TIMES IT DOESN'T FULLY TH…

Look up ODI 10542730 at NHTSA ↗

Power Train67,000–112,200 mi87,000 mi13
ODI 10444481 · 101,565 mi

ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AFTER THE STALL. LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKE POWER ASSIST WHEN VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE STALLS VERY PERIODICALLY AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF OPERATION. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER 3 TIMES AND WERE UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL WIRING TO FIX PROBLEM BUT PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. ALSO A BRAND NEW ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED AND STILL SAME PROBLEMS AROSE. MESSAGE CENTER WOULD DISPLAY "TRANSMISSION FAULT" DRIVE MODERATELY. *TT

Look up ODI 10444481 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10464279 · 52,890 mi

WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR HAS A VERY BAD JERK LIKE IT DOESN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR IT WANTS TO BE IN. AND SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS GETTING HIT FROM BEHIND WITH HOW HARD OTHER JERKS ARE. *TR

Look up ODI 10464279 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10465857 · 75,000 mi

INTERMITTENT HARSH 2-1 DOWNSHIFT (JOLT) WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH LIGHT BRAKE APPLICATION. JOLTS AND/OR JERKS FELT WHEN REACCELERATING AFTER COASTING. JUDDER WHEN GENTLY ACCELERATING (MOST NOTICEABLE AT AN ENGINE SPEED BELOW 2,000 RPM). *TR

Look up ODI 10465857 at NHTSA ↗

Seat Belts80,606–125,250 mi98,584 mi12
ODI 10459188 · 88,000 mi

THERE IS A BMW SERVICE BULLETIN SI B 65 75 06 WHERE THEY SAY THEY WILL FIX AN AIRBAG AND SEATBELT ISSUE ON E60, E61 (5 SERIES) VEHICLES PRODUCED UP TO 11/2005. THE BULLETIN SAYS IT IS DUE TO OC3 SEAT MAT FAULT. DUE TO PARTS DEFECT THEY ALSO COVER IT WITH AN ADDITIONAL 10 YEAR WARRANTY ACCORDING TO THE BULLETIN. MY BMW 5 SERIES WAS MANUFACTURED IN 08/04 AND CURRENTLY HAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE OUTLINED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. HE SAID THAT I HAVE MICRO CRACKS IN MY OC3 SEAT MAT AND THATS WHY MY AIRBAGS ARE NOW OFF ALL T…

Look up ODI 10459188 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10786374 · 122,000 mi

THIS TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AGGRESSIVELY. IT HAPPENS ON UP-SHIFT 1-2 AND DOWNSHIFT 2-1. IT HAPPENS LIKE 4 TO 5 TIMES IN A WEEK. ALSO SOMETIMES I GET A BIG SLAM ON BOTH UP-SHIFT AND DOWNSHIFT... WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION ERROR MESSAGE POPS UP AND REDUCES MY MOVEMENT TO SAFE-MODE, UNLESS I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART THE ENGINE. IF YOU TAKE TIME TO GO ON BMW FORUMS AND BLOGS, EVERYONE COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH THIS 5 SERIES... PLEASE DO SOMETHING.. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG RESTRAINT ERROR POPS UP EVEN WHEN SOME…

Look up ODI 10786374 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10849866 · 181,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 545I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE AIR BAG AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,500.

Look up ODI 10849866 at NHTSA ↗

Engine84,000–144,054 mi100,500 mi12
ODI 10465857 · 75,000 mi

INTERMITTENT HARSH 2-1 DOWNSHIFT (JOLT) WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH LIGHT BRAKE APPLICATION. JOLTS AND/OR JERKS FELT WHEN REACCELERATING AFTER COASTING. JUDDER WHEN GENTLY ACCELERATING (MOST NOTICEABLE AT AN ENGINE SPEED BELOW 2,000 RPM). *TR

Look up ODI 10465857 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10486032 · 65,000 mi

WHEN BEGINNING TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SLAM TO THE POINT WHERE I THOUGHT I WAS REAR ENDED. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND THE FIX WAS COSTLY. CONTINUES TO DO THIS AT TIMES AND WILL ALSO DO A SMALLER SCALE SLAM WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. *TR

Look up ODI 10486032 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10486122 · 156,215 mi

TRANSMISSION JERKS AND SLIPS. WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR. THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT IF THIS OCCURRED DURING WET OR ICY ROAD CONDITIONS DUE TO BREAKING TRACTION FROM WHEELS AND ROAD SURFACE. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AND AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THOUSANDS OF 5 SERIES BMW'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE RESULT IS A DEFECTIVE MECHATRONICS WHICH COSTS BETWEEN $5000-$8000 TO FIX AND NOT COVERED BY BMW OR UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Look up ODI 10486122 at NHTSA ↗

Steering50,263–104,748 mi55,020 mi6
ODI 11019448 · 15,000 mi

TAKADA RECALL. MY CAR'S MAKE CRACKING NOISE OR GROANED NOISES AS SOME OTHER E60 OWNERS DESCRIBED. THE NOISES SOUNDED AS THE CAR START ROLLING AT LOW SPEED WHETHER GO STRAIGHT OR TURN A LITTLE TO LEFT OR RIGHT. IT'S HAPPENED EVERY TIME. THE AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON DURING DRIVE AND IT IS OFF WHEN I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE NEXT TIME I START THE CAR IS STILL REMAIN STAYED ON, AND IT'S GOES OFF DURING DRIVE. THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS NOT FIRM UNLIKE E39 IS MORE FIRM. I FOUND A FORUM WHERE THE E60 OWNERS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM AND THE DEALER SOLVED TH…

Look up ODI 11019448 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11300372 · 130,000 mi

DYNAMIC STEERING MALFUNCTION CAUSING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS

Look up ODI 11300372 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10330465 · 51,050 mi

ON MAY 12TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 545I BMW AT 8PM WITH MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DISPLAY INDICATED A WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION (WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR CONTROL SPEED OF WIPERS). AFTER A FEW MORE MILES, I NOTICED THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION TO ANY OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, NOR DID THE TURN SIGNALS WORK (WOULD NOT STAY ON UNLESS HELD DOWN). ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, SEAT BELT TENSIONERS MAY NOT FUNCTION, AND THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, INDICATING THAT T…

Look up ODI 10330465 at NHTSA ↗

Service Brakes, Hydraulic56,500–88,750 mi83,000 mi7
ODI 10425430 · 90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 540 FIVE I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). AFTER REPAIRS, OIL CONTINUED TO LEAK INTO THE BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 98,000.

Look up ODI 10425430 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10587017 · 121,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PUMP, BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP SEAL, AND THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAG…

Look up ODI 10587017 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10297963 · 42,000 mi

BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

Look up ODI 10297963 at NHTSA ↗

Air Bags:Frontal50,120–84,525 mi51,050 mi5
ODI 10330465 · 51,050 mi

ON MAY 12TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 545I BMW AT 8PM WITH MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DISPLAY INDICATED A WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION (WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR CONTROL SPEED OF WIPERS). AFTER A FEW MORE MILES, I NOTICED THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION TO ANY OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, NOR DID THE TURN SIGNALS WORK (WOULD NOT STAY ON UNLESS HELD DOWN). ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, SEAT BELT TENSIONERS MAY NOT FUNCTION, AND THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, INDICATING THAT T…

Look up ODI 10330465 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10440203 · 40,656 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,656 UPDATED 03/16/12 *BF

Look up ODI 10440203 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10453182 · 50,120 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT MAT SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND NOTED THE VIN. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED AN INVESTIGATION WAS TAKING PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,120 AND THE CURRE…

Look up ODI 10453182 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-081None
ODI 11760532

Vehicle suffered a catastrophic engine fire while parked due to fuel line separation under open recall 04V303000.

Look up ODI 11760532 at NHTSA ↗

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 22 reports

2004: 0 complaints · 2005: 2 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2004000
2005122
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
20044400
20057701

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentAir BagsElectrical SystemPower TrainSeat BeltsEngineSteeringService Brakes, HydraulicAir Bags:Frontal
Air Bags—
4
ODI 10542730 · 71,487 mi

CUSTOM ORDERED 545I IN 2004 AS STILL ORIGINAL/EXISTING OWNER. HAVE HAD REPEATED ELECTRICAL ERRORS ON I DRIVE "DYNAMIC DRIVE FAILURE PROCEED WITH CAUTION AS THE STEERING HAS BEEN EFFECTED AND SEE YOUR BMW AUTHORIZED REP," "ELECTRICAL FAILURE SEE YOUR BMW AUTHORIZED REP. IMMEDIATELY PROCEED WITH CAUTION, "PASSENGER RESTRAINT FAULT PROCEED WITH CAUTION EFFECTING BELT AND BELT FORCE LIMITER, STALLING AT VERY LOW AND AS HIGH RATES OF SPEED AS HIGH AS 70 MPH WITHOUT ANY WARNING." SOMETIMES THE CAR LOGS THE ERRORS AND MANY TIMES IT DOESN'T FULLY TH…

Look up ODI 10542730 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10663024 · 91,636 mi

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2004 BMW 545I. ON THE SECOND TIME HAVING A PASSENGER IN THE CAR, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, I WAS ALERTED BY A CHIME AND MESSAGE THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG / SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM HAD FAILED. ALSO NOTICED WAS THAT WHEN TURNING ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER, THE SEAT GOT VERY HOT IN ONE PARTICULAR SPOT- ON THE LEFT SIDE NEAR MY HIP (HOT ENOUGH THAT I RECEIVED A MINOR BURN ON MY LEG THROUGH A PAIR OF JEANS). I CONTACTED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THE PROBLEM, AS I WAS MADE AWARE THAT THERE WERE RECALLS ON OTHER MO…

Look up ODI 10663024 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10895079 · 220,000 mi

DRIVE MODERATELY KEEPS POPPING UP AN SERVICE ENGINE AFTER GETTING BMW TO CHECK IT AN FIX IT ALSO IT WON'T CRANK SOMETIMES BUT THE BATTERY AN ALTERNATOR IS BRAND NEW BUT AFTER IT SIT FOR HOURS IT FINALLY CRANK UP, MAYBE IT'S AN SECURITY ISSUE BUT IT'S UNNECESSARY

Look up ODI 10895079 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 10436891 · 104,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG AND POWER TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE ALSO OCCASIONALLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND MADE THE CONTACT AWARE OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V504000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) RECALL, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT ASSOCIATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE…

Look up ODI 10436891 at NHTSA ↗

12
ODI 10459188 · 88,000 mi

THERE IS A BMW SERVICE BULLETIN SI B 65 75 06 WHERE THEY SAY THEY WILL FIX AN AIRBAG AND SEATBELT ISSUE ON E60, E61 (5 SERIES) VEHICLES PRODUCED UP TO 11/2005. THE BULLETIN SAYS IT IS DUE TO OC3 SEAT MAT FAULT. DUE TO PARTS DEFECT THEY ALSO COVER IT WITH AN ADDITIONAL 10 YEAR WARRANTY ACCORDING TO THE BULLETIN. MY BMW 5 SERIES WAS MANUFACTURED IN 08/04 AND CURRENTLY HAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE OUTLINED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. HE SAID THAT I HAVE MICRO CRACKS IN MY OC3 SEAT MAT AND THATS WHY MY AIRBAGS ARE NOW OFF ALL T…

Look up ODI 10459188 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10849866 · 181,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 545I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE AIR BAG AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,500.

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ODI 11100379

IN 10/17 I BOUGHT THE ABOVE VEHICLE FROM PRIVATE OWNER. FROM THE TIME I STARTED DRIVING IT TO CURRENTLY, THE CONTROL DISPLAY HAS BEEN SHOWING A PASSENGER AIRBAG AND/ORSEATBEIT WARNING. THE CURRENT WARNING READS: "PASS. RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRIANT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER." THE DISPLAY BETWEEN THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER SHOWS A RED AIRBAG SYMBOL AND A RED FASTEN SEATBELT SYMBOL, WHICH DO NOT GO OFF WITH OPERATION OF VEHICLE. THESE 2004/2005 BMW 545I HAD A NHTSA SAFETY RECALL (08V3…

Look up ODI 11100379 at NHTSA ↗

3
ODI 10512462 · 104,000 mi

WHEN I GOT UP OUT THE SEAT THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT INDICATOR CAME ON AND IS STILL ON. IT SAYS PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. AND IT WILL NOT DEPLOY AIRBAGS. ALSO THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW OIL LEAKS IN THE ENGINE. *TR

Look up ODI 10512462 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10542730 · 71,487 mi

CUSTOM ORDERED 545I IN 2004 AS STILL ORIGINAL/EXISTING OWNER. HAVE HAD REPEATED ELECTRICAL ERRORS ON I DRIVE "DYNAMIC DRIVE FAILURE PROCEED WITH CAUTION AS THE STEERING HAS BEEN EFFECTED AND SEE YOUR BMW AUTHORIZED REP," "ELECTRICAL FAILURE SEE YOUR BMW AUTHORIZED REP. IMMEDIATELY PROCEED WITH CAUTION, "PASSENGER RESTRAINT FAULT PROCEED WITH CAUTION EFFECTING BELT AND BELT FORCE LIMITER, STALLING AT VERY LOW AND AS HIGH RATES OF SPEED AS HIGH AS 70 MPH WITHOUT ANY WARNING." SOMETIMES THE CAR LOGS THE ERRORS AND MANY TIMES IT DOESN'T FULLY TH…

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ODI 10895079 · 220,000 mi

DRIVE MODERATELY KEEPS POPPING UP AN SERVICE ENGINE AFTER GETTING BMW TO CHECK IT AN FIX IT ALSO IT WON'T CRANK SOMETIMES BUT THE BATTERY AN ALTERNATOR IS BRAND NEW BUT AFTER IT SIT FOR HOURS IT FINALLY CRANK UP, MAYBE IT'S AN SECURITY ISSUE BUT IT'S UNNECESSARY

Look up ODI 10895079 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 11019448 · 15,000 mi

TAKADA RECALL. MY CAR'S MAKE CRACKING NOISE OR GROANED NOISES AS SOME OTHER E60 OWNERS DESCRIBED. THE NOISES SOUNDED AS THE CAR START ROLLING AT LOW SPEED WHETHER GO STRAIGHT OR TURN A LITTLE TO LEFT OR RIGHT. IT'S HAPPENED EVERY TIME. THE AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON DURING DRIVE AND IT IS OFF WHEN I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE NEXT TIME I START THE CAR IS STILL REMAIN STAYED ON, AND IT'S GOES OFF DURING DRIVE. THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS NOT FIRM UNLIKE E39 IS MORE FIRM. I FOUND A FORUM WHERE THE E60 OWNERS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM AND THE DEALER SOLVED TH…

Look up ODI 11019448 at NHTSA ↗

0
3
ODI 10440203 · 40,656 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,656 UPDATED 03/16/12 *BF

Look up ODI 10440203 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10490393 · 84,525 mi

GOT INDICATION PASSENGER AIR BAG/ RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION ON IDRIVE. TOOK CAR TO REPAIR SHOP AND I WAS TOLD OCCUPANCY SENSOR IN PASSENGER SEAT WAS BAD. I CHECKED FOR A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE WITH BMW. I WAS TOLD NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE WAS COVERED. I CHECKED WITH THE PARTS DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS ONLY ONE SENSOR FOR THIS CAR. IF THAT'S THE CASE HOW CAN BMW ONLY COVER 200,00 OF THE DEFECTIVE UNITS AND NOT ALL THAT WERE MADE DURING THIS TIME PERIOD. FURTHER, ON THE ONES THEY DID COVER THEY INCREASED THE WARRANT…

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ODI 10503402 · 99,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 99,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

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Electrical System
4
ODI 10542730 · 71,487 mi

CUSTOM ORDERED 545I IN 2004 AS STILL ORIGINAL/EXISTING OWNER. HAVE HAD REPEATED ELECTRICAL ERRORS ON I DRIVE "DYNAMIC DRIVE FAILURE PROCEED WITH CAUTION AS THE STEERING HAS BEEN EFFECTED AND SEE YOUR BMW AUTHORIZED REP," "ELECTRICAL FAILURE SEE YOUR BMW AUTHORIZED REP. IMMEDIATELY PROCEED WITH CAUTION, "PASSENGER RESTRAINT FAULT PROCEED WITH CAUTION EFFECTING BELT AND BELT FORCE LIMITER, STALLING AT VERY LOW AND AS HIGH RATES OF SPEED AS HIGH AS 70 MPH WITHOUT ANY WARNING." SOMETIMES THE CAR LOGS THE ERRORS AND MANY TIMES IT DOESN'T FULLY TH…

Look up ODI 10542730 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10663024 · 91,636 mi

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2004 BMW 545I. ON THE SECOND TIME HAVING A PASSENGER IN THE CAR, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, I WAS ALERTED BY A CHIME AND MESSAGE THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG / SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM HAD FAILED. ALSO NOTICED WAS THAT WHEN TURNING ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER, THE SEAT GOT VERY HOT IN ONE PARTICULAR SPOT- ON THE LEFT SIDE NEAR MY HIP (HOT ENOUGH THAT I RECEIVED A MINOR BURN ON MY LEG THROUGH A PAIR OF JEANS). I CONTACTED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THE PROBLEM, AS I WAS MADE AWARE THAT THERE WERE RECALLS ON OTHER MO…

Look up ODI 10663024 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10895079 · 220,000 mi

DRIVE MODERATELY KEEPS POPPING UP AN SERVICE ENGINE AFTER GETTING BMW TO CHECK IT AN FIX IT ALSO IT WON'T CRANK SOMETIMES BUT THE BATTERY AN ALTERNATOR IS BRAND NEW BUT AFTER IT SIT FOR HOURS IT FINALLY CRANK UP, MAYBE IT'S AN SECURITY ISSUE BUT IT'S UNNECESSARY

Look up ODI 10895079 at NHTSA ↗

—
2
ODI 10486122 · 156,215 mi

TRANSMISSION JERKS AND SLIPS. WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR. THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT IF THIS OCCURRED DURING WET OR ICY ROAD CONDITIONS DUE TO BREAKING TRACTION FROM WHEELS AND ROAD SURFACE. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AND AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THOUSANDS OF 5 SERIES BMW'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE RESULT IS A DEFECTIVE MECHATRONICS WHICH COSTS BETWEEN $5000-$8000 TO FIX AND NOT COVERED BY BMW OR UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Look up ODI 10486122 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10511606 · 87,000 mi

VEHICLE SLIPS IN AN OUT OF 5TH AND 6TH GEAR WHEN TRAVELING AT CONSTANT 35 TO 40 MPH IN AUTO MODE AND AROUND 60 MPH IN DS MODE. NOTICEABLE OIL LEAKS AS WELL AS OCCASIONAL SMOKE FROM TAILPIPE AND VEHICLE BANGS INTO GEAR ( WHILE DOWNSHIFTING ON OCCASION) ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMS TO CUT OUT FOR A SPLIT SECOND WHILE DRIVING. HEADS UP DISPLAY AND RADIO ILLUSTRATES THIS FINDING AS THEY SHUT OFF FOR A SECOND. THE CLOCK IS ALSO BEHIND A FEW MINUTES / WEEK BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR

Look up ODI 10511606 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 10330465 · 51,050 mi

ON MAY 12TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 545I BMW AT 8PM WITH MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DISPLAY INDICATED A WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION (WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR CONTROL SPEED OF WIPERS). AFTER A FEW MORE MILES, I NOTICED THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION TO ANY OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, NOR DID THE TURN SIGNALS WORK (WOULD NOT STAY ON UNLESS HELD DOWN). ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, SEAT BELT TENSIONERS MAY NOT FUNCTION, AND THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, INDICATING THAT T…

Look up ODI 10330465 at NHTSA ↗

4
ODI 10486122 · 156,215 mi

TRANSMISSION JERKS AND SLIPS. WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR. THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT IF THIS OCCURRED DURING WET OR ICY ROAD CONDITIONS DUE TO BREAKING TRACTION FROM WHEELS AND ROAD SURFACE. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AND AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THOUSANDS OF 5 SERIES BMW'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE RESULT IS A DEFECTIVE MECHATRONICS WHICH COSTS BETWEEN $5000-$8000 TO FIX AND NOT COVERED BY BMW OR UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Look up ODI 10486122 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10511606 · 87,000 mi

VEHICLE SLIPS IN AN OUT OF 5TH AND 6TH GEAR WHEN TRAVELING AT CONSTANT 35 TO 40 MPH IN AUTO MODE AND AROUND 60 MPH IN DS MODE. NOTICEABLE OIL LEAKS AS WELL AS OCCASIONAL SMOKE FROM TAILPIPE AND VEHICLE BANGS INTO GEAR ( WHILE DOWNSHIFTING ON OCCASION) ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMS TO CUT OUT FOR A SPLIT SECOND WHILE DRIVING. HEADS UP DISPLAY AND RADIO ILLUSTRATES THIS FINDING AS THEY SHUT OFF FOR A SECOND. THE CLOCK IS ALSO BEHIND A FEW MINUTES / WEEK BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR

Look up ODI 10511606 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10542730 · 71,487 mi

CUSTOM ORDERED 545I IN 2004 AS STILL ORIGINAL/EXISTING OWNER. HAVE HAD REPEATED ELECTRICAL ERRORS ON I DRIVE "DYNAMIC DRIVE FAILURE PROCEED WITH CAUTION AS THE STEERING HAS BEEN EFFECTED AND SEE YOUR BMW AUTHORIZED REP," "ELECTRICAL FAILURE SEE YOUR BMW AUTHORIZED REP. IMMEDIATELY PROCEED WITH CAUTION, "PASSENGER RESTRAINT FAULT PROCEED WITH CAUTION EFFECTING BELT AND BELT FORCE LIMITER, STALLING AT VERY LOW AND AS HIGH RATES OF SPEED AS HIGH AS 70 MPH WITHOUT ANY WARNING." SOMETIMES THE CAR LOGS THE ERRORS AND MANY TIMES IT DOESN'T FULLY TH…

Look up ODI 10542730 at NHTSA ↗

4
ODI 10475298

ON BMW WITH THE N62 4.4L V8 ENGINE THERE'S AN OIL LEAK ON THE ALTERNATOR BRACKET THAT LEAKS FOR A WHILE UNTIL IT IS INSPECTED AND FOUND IT LEAKS OIL ON THE STEERING COMPONENTS I THINK CAUSING THE STEERING COMPONENTS TO DETERIORATE AFTER A WHILE CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. THE OIL LEAK EVENTUALLY HAPPENS TO ALL N62 4.4L V8 ENGINES. *TR

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ODI 10168026

2005 BMW 545I STEERING MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED, STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS DIDN'T WORK WHEN IT RAINED, HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF AT NIGHT TIME, AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *KB THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WENT BLANK, THE TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK. THE STEERING COLUMN MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BECAUSE WATER WAS FOUND IN THE LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT WHICH HAD DAMAGED THE WIRES.*JB

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ODI 10330465 · 51,050 mi

ON MAY 12TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 545I BMW AT 8PM WITH MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DISPLAY INDICATED A WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION (WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR CONTROL SPEED OF WIPERS). AFTER A FEW MORE MILES, I NOTICED THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION TO ANY OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, NOR DID THE TURN SIGNALS WORK (WOULD NOT STAY ON UNLESS HELD DOWN). ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, SEAT BELT TENSIONERS MAY NOT FUNCTION, AND THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, INDICATING THAT T…

Look up ODI 10330465 at NHTSA ↗

0
1
ODI 10330465 · 51,050 mi

ON MAY 12TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 545I BMW AT 8PM WITH MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DISPLAY INDICATED A WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION (WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR CONTROL SPEED OF WIPERS). AFTER A FEW MORE MILES, I NOTICED THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION TO ANY OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, NOR DID THE TURN SIGNALS WORK (WOULD NOT STAY ON UNLESS HELD DOWN). ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, SEAT BELT TENSIONERS MAY NOT FUNCTION, AND THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, INDICATING THAT T…

Look up ODI 10330465 at NHTSA ↗

Power Train
1
ODI 10436891 · 104,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG AND POWER TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE ALSO OCCASIONALLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND MADE THE CONTACT AWARE OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V504000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) RECALL, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT ASSOCIATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE…

Look up ODI 10436891 at NHTSA ↗

2
ODI 10486122 · 156,215 mi

TRANSMISSION JERKS AND SLIPS. WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR. THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT IF THIS OCCURRED DURING WET OR ICY ROAD CONDITIONS DUE TO BREAKING TRACTION FROM WHEELS AND ROAD SURFACE. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AND AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THOUSANDS OF 5 SERIES BMW'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE RESULT IS A DEFECTIVE MECHATRONICS WHICH COSTS BETWEEN $5000-$8000 TO FIX AND NOT COVERED BY BMW OR UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Look up ODI 10486122 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10511606 · 87,000 mi

VEHICLE SLIPS IN AN OUT OF 5TH AND 6TH GEAR WHEN TRAVELING AT CONSTANT 35 TO 40 MPH IN AUTO MODE AND AROUND 60 MPH IN DS MODE. NOTICEABLE OIL LEAKS AS WELL AS OCCASIONAL SMOKE FROM TAILPIPE AND VEHICLE BANGS INTO GEAR ( WHILE DOWNSHIFTING ON OCCASION) ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMS TO CUT OUT FOR A SPLIT SECOND WHILE DRIVING. HEADS UP DISPLAY AND RADIO ILLUSTRATES THIS FINDING AS THEY SHUT OFF FOR A SECOND. THE CLOCK IS ALSO BEHIND A FEW MINUTES / WEEK BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR

Look up ODI 10511606 at NHTSA ↗

—
1
ODI 10786374 · 122,000 mi

THIS TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AGGRESSIVELY. IT HAPPENS ON UP-SHIFT 1-2 AND DOWNSHIFT 2-1. IT HAPPENS LIKE 4 TO 5 TIMES IN A WEEK. ALSO SOMETIMES I GET A BIG SLAM ON BOTH UP-SHIFT AND DOWNSHIFT... WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION ERROR MESSAGE POPS UP AND REDUCES MY MOVEMENT TO SAFE-MODE, UNLESS I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART THE ENGINE. IF YOU TAKE TIME TO GO ON BMW FORUMS AND BLOGS, EVERYONE COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH THIS 5 SERIES... PLEASE DO SOMETHING.. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG RESTRAINT ERROR POPS UP EVEN WHEN SOME…

Look up ODI 10786374 at NHTSA ↗

4
ODI 10465857 · 75,000 mi

INTERMITTENT HARSH 2-1 DOWNSHIFT (JOLT) WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH LIGHT BRAKE APPLICATION. JOLTS AND/OR JERKS FELT WHEN REACCELERATING AFTER COASTING. JUDDER WHEN GENTLY ACCELERATING (MOST NOTICEABLE AT AN ENGINE SPEED BELOW 2,000 RPM). *TR

Look up ODI 10465857 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10486032 · 65,000 mi

WHEN BEGINNING TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SLAM TO THE POINT WHERE I THOUGHT I WAS REAR ENDED. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND THE FIX WAS COSTLY. CONTINUES TO DO THIS AT TIMES AND WILL ALSO DO A SMALLER SCALE SLAM WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. *TR

Look up ODI 10486032 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10486122 · 156,215 mi

TRANSMISSION JERKS AND SLIPS. WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR. THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT IF THIS OCCURRED DURING WET OR ICY ROAD CONDITIONS DUE TO BREAKING TRACTION FROM WHEELS AND ROAD SURFACE. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AND AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THOUSANDS OF 5 SERIES BMW'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE RESULT IS A DEFECTIVE MECHATRONICS WHICH COSTS BETWEEN $5000-$8000 TO FIX AND NOT COVERED BY BMW OR UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Look up ODI 10486122 at NHTSA ↗

00
1
ODI 10437142

2005 BMW 545I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL ISSUES WITH VEHICLE TO INCLUDE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG, TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND LEAKS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS RECALLED. EVEN THOUGH THE PART WAS REPLACED TWICE UNDER WARRANTY AND EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS STATED IN THE RECALL, THE CONSUMER'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A JOLT/DELAY WHEN PULLING AWAY. WITHIN THE LAST THREE MONTHS, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT BETWEEN 30-40 MPH AS IF IT WERE NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUEL…

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Seat Belts
12
ODI 10459188 · 88,000 mi

THERE IS A BMW SERVICE BULLETIN SI B 65 75 06 WHERE THEY SAY THEY WILL FIX AN AIRBAG AND SEATBELT ISSUE ON E60, E61 (5 SERIES) VEHICLES PRODUCED UP TO 11/2005. THE BULLETIN SAYS IT IS DUE TO OC3 SEAT MAT FAULT. DUE TO PARTS DEFECT THEY ALSO COVER IT WITH AN ADDITIONAL 10 YEAR WARRANTY ACCORDING TO THE BULLETIN. MY BMW 5 SERIES WAS MANUFACTURED IN 08/04 AND CURRENTLY HAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE OUTLINED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. HE SAID THAT I HAVE MICRO CRACKS IN MY OC3 SEAT MAT AND THATS WHY MY AIRBAGS ARE NOW OFF ALL T…

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ODI 10849866 · 181,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 545I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE AIR BAG AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,500.

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ODI 11100379

IN 10/17 I BOUGHT THE ABOVE VEHICLE FROM PRIVATE OWNER. FROM THE TIME I STARTED DRIVING IT TO CURRENTLY, THE CONTROL DISPLAY HAS BEEN SHOWING A PASSENGER AIRBAG AND/ORSEATBEIT WARNING. THE CURRENT WARNING READS: "PASS. RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRIANT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER." THE DISPLAY BETWEEN THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER SHOWS A RED AIRBAG SYMBOL AND A RED FASTEN SEATBELT SYMBOL, WHICH DO NOT GO OFF WITH OPERATION OF VEHICLE. THESE 2004/2005 BMW 545I HAD A NHTSA SAFETY RECALL (08V3…

Look up ODI 11100379 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 10330465 · 51,050 mi

ON MAY 12TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 545I BMW AT 8PM WITH MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DISPLAY INDICATED A WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION (WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR CONTROL SPEED OF WIPERS). AFTER A FEW MORE MILES, I NOTICED THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION TO ANY OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, NOR DID THE TURN SIGNALS WORK (WOULD NOT STAY ON UNLESS HELD DOWN). ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, SEAT BELT TENSIONERS MAY NOT FUNCTION, AND THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, INDICATING THAT T…

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1
ODI 10786374 · 122,000 mi

THIS TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AGGRESSIVELY. IT HAPPENS ON UP-SHIFT 1-2 AND DOWNSHIFT 2-1. IT HAPPENS LIKE 4 TO 5 TIMES IN A WEEK. ALSO SOMETIMES I GET A BIG SLAM ON BOTH UP-SHIFT AND DOWNSHIFT... WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION ERROR MESSAGE POPS UP AND REDUCES MY MOVEMENT TO SAFE-MODE, UNLESS I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART THE ENGINE. IF YOU TAKE TIME TO GO ON BMW FORUMS AND BLOGS, EVERYONE COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH THIS 5 SERIES... PLEASE DO SOMETHING.. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG RESTRAINT ERROR POPS UP EVEN WHEN SOME…

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—0
1
ODI 10330465 · 51,050 mi

ON MAY 12TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 545I BMW AT 8PM WITH MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DISPLAY INDICATED A WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION (WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR CONTROL SPEED OF WIPERS). AFTER A FEW MORE MILES, I NOTICED THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION TO ANY OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, NOR DID THE TURN SIGNALS WORK (WOULD NOT STAY ON UNLESS HELD DOWN). ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, SEAT BELT TENSIONERS MAY NOT FUNCTION, AND THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, INDICATING THAT T…

Look up ODI 10330465 at NHTSA ↗

0
1
ODI 10330465 · 51,050 mi

ON MAY 12TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 545I BMW AT 8PM WITH MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DISPLAY INDICATED A WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION (WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR CONTROL SPEED OF WIPERS). AFTER A FEW MORE MILES, I NOTICED THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION TO ANY OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, NOR DID THE TURN SIGNALS WORK (WOULD NOT STAY ON UNLESS HELD DOWN). ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, SEAT BELT TENSIONERS MAY NOT FUNCTION, AND THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, INDICATING THAT T…

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Engine
3
ODI 10512462 · 104,000 mi

WHEN I GOT UP OUT THE SEAT THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT INDICATOR CAME ON AND IS STILL ON. IT SAYS PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. AND IT WILL NOT DEPLOY AIRBAGS. ALSO THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW OIL LEAKS IN THE ENGINE. *TR

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ODI 10542730 · 71,487 mi

CUSTOM ORDERED 545I IN 2004 AS STILL ORIGINAL/EXISTING OWNER. HAVE HAD REPEATED ELECTRICAL ERRORS ON I DRIVE "DYNAMIC DRIVE FAILURE PROCEED WITH CAUTION AS THE STEERING HAS BEEN EFFECTED AND SEE YOUR BMW AUTHORIZED REP," "ELECTRICAL FAILURE SEE YOUR BMW AUTHORIZED REP. IMMEDIATELY PROCEED WITH CAUTION, "PASSENGER RESTRAINT FAULT PROCEED WITH CAUTION EFFECTING BELT AND BELT FORCE LIMITER, STALLING AT VERY LOW AND AS HIGH RATES OF SPEED AS HIGH AS 70 MPH WITHOUT ANY WARNING." SOMETIMES THE CAR LOGS THE ERRORS AND MANY TIMES IT DOESN'T FULLY TH…

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ODI 10895079 · 220,000 mi

DRIVE MODERATELY KEEPS POPPING UP AN SERVICE ENGINE AFTER GETTING BMW TO CHECK IT AN FIX IT ALSO IT WON'T CRANK SOMETIMES BUT THE BATTERY AN ALTERNATOR IS BRAND NEW BUT AFTER IT SIT FOR HOURS IT FINALLY CRANK UP, MAYBE IT'S AN SECURITY ISSUE BUT IT'S UNNECESSARY

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4
ODI 10486122 · 156,215 mi

TRANSMISSION JERKS AND SLIPS. WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR. THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT IF THIS OCCURRED DURING WET OR ICY ROAD CONDITIONS DUE TO BREAKING TRACTION FROM WHEELS AND ROAD SURFACE. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AND AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THOUSANDS OF 5 SERIES BMW'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE RESULT IS A DEFECTIVE MECHATRONICS WHICH COSTS BETWEEN $5000-$8000 TO FIX AND NOT COVERED BY BMW OR UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

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ODI 10511606 · 87,000 mi

VEHICLE SLIPS IN AN OUT OF 5TH AND 6TH GEAR WHEN TRAVELING AT CONSTANT 35 TO 40 MPH IN AUTO MODE AND AROUND 60 MPH IN DS MODE. NOTICEABLE OIL LEAKS AS WELL AS OCCASIONAL SMOKE FROM TAILPIPE AND VEHICLE BANGS INTO GEAR ( WHILE DOWNSHIFTING ON OCCASION) ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMS TO CUT OUT FOR A SPLIT SECOND WHILE DRIVING. HEADS UP DISPLAY AND RADIO ILLUSTRATES THIS FINDING AS THEY SHUT OFF FOR A SECOND. THE CLOCK IS ALSO BEHIND A FEW MINUTES / WEEK BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR

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ODI 10542730 · 71,487 mi

CUSTOM ORDERED 545I IN 2004 AS STILL ORIGINAL/EXISTING OWNER. HAVE HAD REPEATED ELECTRICAL ERRORS ON I DRIVE "DYNAMIC DRIVE FAILURE PROCEED WITH CAUTION AS THE STEERING HAS BEEN EFFECTED AND SEE YOUR BMW AUTHORIZED REP," "ELECTRICAL FAILURE SEE YOUR BMW AUTHORIZED REP. IMMEDIATELY PROCEED WITH CAUTION, "PASSENGER RESTRAINT FAULT PROCEED WITH CAUTION EFFECTING BELT AND BELT FORCE LIMITER, STALLING AT VERY LOW AND AS HIGH RATES OF SPEED AS HIGH AS 70 MPH WITHOUT ANY WARNING." SOMETIMES THE CAR LOGS THE ERRORS AND MANY TIMES IT DOESN'T FULLY TH…

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4
ODI 10465857 · 75,000 mi

INTERMITTENT HARSH 2-1 DOWNSHIFT (JOLT) WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH LIGHT BRAKE APPLICATION. JOLTS AND/OR JERKS FELT WHEN REACCELERATING AFTER COASTING. JUDDER WHEN GENTLY ACCELERATING (MOST NOTICEABLE AT AN ENGINE SPEED BELOW 2,000 RPM). *TR

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ODI 10486032 · 65,000 mi

WHEN BEGINNING TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SLAM TO THE POINT WHERE I THOUGHT I WAS REAR ENDED. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND THE FIX WAS COSTLY. CONTINUES TO DO THIS AT TIMES AND WILL ALSO DO A SMALLER SCALE SLAM WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. *TR

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ODI 10486122 · 156,215 mi

TRANSMISSION JERKS AND SLIPS. WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR. THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT IF THIS OCCURRED DURING WET OR ICY ROAD CONDITIONS DUE TO BREAKING TRACTION FROM WHEELS AND ROAD SURFACE. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AND AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THOUSANDS OF 5 SERIES BMW'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE RESULT IS A DEFECTIVE MECHATRONICS WHICH COSTS BETWEEN $5000-$8000 TO FIX AND NOT COVERED BY BMW OR UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

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0—000
Steering
1
ODI 11019448 · 15,000 mi

TAKADA RECALL. MY CAR'S MAKE CRACKING NOISE OR GROANED NOISES AS SOME OTHER E60 OWNERS DESCRIBED. THE NOISES SOUNDED AS THE CAR START ROLLING AT LOW SPEED WHETHER GO STRAIGHT OR TURN A LITTLE TO LEFT OR RIGHT. IT'S HAPPENED EVERY TIME. THE AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON DURING DRIVE AND IT IS OFF WHEN I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE NEXT TIME I START THE CAR IS STILL REMAIN STAYED ON, AND IT'S GOES OFF DURING DRIVE. THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS NOT FIRM UNLIKE E39 IS MORE FIRM. I FOUND A FORUM WHERE THE E60 OWNERS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM AND THE DEALER SOLVED TH…

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4
ODI 10475298

ON BMW WITH THE N62 4.4L V8 ENGINE THERE'S AN OIL LEAK ON THE ALTERNATOR BRACKET THAT LEAKS FOR A WHILE UNTIL IT IS INSPECTED AND FOUND IT LEAKS OIL ON THE STEERING COMPONENTS I THINK CAUSING THE STEERING COMPONENTS TO DETERIORATE AFTER A WHILE CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. THE OIL LEAK EVENTUALLY HAPPENS TO ALL N62 4.4L V8 ENGINES. *TR

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ODI 10168026

2005 BMW 545I STEERING MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED, STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS DIDN'T WORK WHEN IT RAINED, HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF AT NIGHT TIME, AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *KB THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WENT BLANK, THE TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK. THE STEERING COLUMN MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BECAUSE WATER WAS FOUND IN THE LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT WHICH HAD DAMAGED THE WIRES.*JB

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ODI 10330465 · 51,050 mi

ON MAY 12TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 545I BMW AT 8PM WITH MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DISPLAY INDICATED A WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION (WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR CONTROL SPEED OF WIPERS). AFTER A FEW MORE MILES, I NOTICED THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION TO ANY OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, NOR DID THE TURN SIGNALS WORK (WOULD NOT STAY ON UNLESS HELD DOWN). ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, SEAT BELT TENSIONERS MAY NOT FUNCTION, AND THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, INDICATING THAT T…

Look up ODI 10330465 at NHTSA ↗

0
1
ODI 10330465 · 51,050 mi

ON MAY 12TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 545I BMW AT 8PM WITH MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DISPLAY INDICATED A WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION (WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR CONTROL SPEED OF WIPERS). AFTER A FEW MORE MILES, I NOTICED THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION TO ANY OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, NOR DID THE TURN SIGNALS WORK (WOULD NOT STAY ON UNLESS HELD DOWN). ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, SEAT BELT TENSIONERS MAY NOT FUNCTION, AND THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, INDICATING THAT T…

Look up ODI 10330465 at NHTSA ↗

0—0
1
ODI 10330465 · 51,050 mi

ON MAY 12TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 545I BMW AT 8PM WITH MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DISPLAY INDICATED A WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION (WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR CONTROL SPEED OF WIPERS). AFTER A FEW MORE MILES, I NOTICED THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION TO ANY OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, NOR DID THE TURN SIGNALS WORK (WOULD NOT STAY ON UNLESS HELD DOWN). ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, SEAT BELT TENSIONERS MAY NOT FUNCTION, AND THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, INDICATING THAT T…

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Service Brakes, Hydraulic000000—0
Air Bags:Frontal
3
ODI 10440203 · 40,656 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,656 UPDATED 03/16/12 *BF

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ODI 10490393 · 84,525 mi

GOT INDICATION PASSENGER AIR BAG/ RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION ON IDRIVE. TOOK CAR TO REPAIR SHOP AND I WAS TOLD OCCUPANCY SENSOR IN PASSENGER SEAT WAS BAD. I CHECKED FOR A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE WITH BMW. I WAS TOLD NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE WAS COVERED. I CHECKED WITH THE PARTS DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS ONLY ONE SENSOR FOR THIS CAR. IF THAT'S THE CASE HOW CAN BMW ONLY COVER 200,00 OF THE DEFECTIVE UNITS AND NOT ALL THAT WERE MADE DURING THIS TIME PERIOD. FURTHER, ON THE ONES THEY DID COVER THEY INCREASED THE WARRANT…

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ODI 10503402 · 99,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 99,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

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1
ODI 10330465 · 51,050 mi

ON MAY 12TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 545I BMW AT 8PM WITH MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DISPLAY INDICATED A WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION (WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR CONTROL SPEED OF WIPERS). AFTER A FEW MORE MILES, I NOTICED THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION TO ANY OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, NOR DID THE TURN SIGNALS WORK (WOULD NOT STAY ON UNLESS HELD DOWN). ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, SEAT BELT TENSIONERS MAY NOT FUNCTION, AND THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, INDICATING THAT T…

Look up ODI 10330465 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 10437142

2005 BMW 545I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL ISSUES WITH VEHICLE TO INCLUDE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG, TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND LEAKS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS RECALLED. EVEN THOUGH THE PART WAS REPLACED TWICE UNDER WARRANTY AND EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS STATED IN THE RECALL, THE CONSUMER'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A JOLT/DELAY WHEN PULLING AWAY. WITHIN THE LAST THREE MONTHS, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT BETWEEN 30-40 MPH AS IF IT WERE NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUEL…

Look up ODI 10437142 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 10330465 · 51,050 mi

ON MAY 12TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 545I BMW AT 8PM WITH MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DISPLAY INDICATED A WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION (WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR CONTROL SPEED OF WIPERS). AFTER A FEW MORE MILES, I NOTICED THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION TO ANY OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, NOR DID THE TURN SIGNALS WORK (WOULD NOT STAY ON UNLESS HELD DOWN). ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, SEAT BELT TENSIONERS MAY NOT FUNCTION, AND THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, INDICATING THAT T…

Look up ODI 10330465 at NHTSA ↗

0
1
ODI 10330465 · 51,050 mi

ON MAY 12TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 545I BMW AT 8PM WITH MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DISPLAY INDICATED A WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION (WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR CONTROL SPEED OF WIPERS). AFTER A FEW MORE MILES, I NOTICED THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION TO ANY OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, NOR DID THE TURN SIGNALS WORK (WOULD NOT STAY ON UNLESS HELD DOWN). ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, SEAT BELT TENSIONERS MAY NOT FUNCTION, AND THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, INDICATING THAT T…

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0—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

6 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

13 mentions · 10.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 86,600 mi (12 usable records).

ODI 10849866 · 181,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 545I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE AIR BAG AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,500.

Look up ODI 10849866 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10168026

2005 BMW 545I STEERING MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED, STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS DIDN'T WORK WHEN IT RAINED, HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF AT NIGHT TIME, AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *KB THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WENT BLANK, THE TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK. THE STEERING COLUMN MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BECAUSE WATER WAS FOUND IN THE LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT WHICH HAD DAMAGED THE WIRES.*JB

Look up ODI 10168026 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10436891 · 104,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG AND POWER TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE ALSO OCCASIONALLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND MADE THE CONTACT AWARE OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V504000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) RECALL, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT ASSOCIATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE…

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Matching rule\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Brake response concerns

8 mentions · 6.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 85,250 mi (8 usable records).

ODI 10556154 · 29,000 mi

MAIN PROBLEM: VEHICLE EXHIBITS HIGHLY UNSAFE TENDENCIES OF TURNING OFF RANDOMLY, LEAVING THE DRIVER WITH NO POWER, NO FUNCTIONING GAUGES, NO FUNCTIONING LIGHTS, AND MORE. CAUSE: FAULTY ALTERNATOR AND VOLTAGE REGULATOR. SCENARIO: ON 12/21/2012, A 2004 BMW 545I VEHICLE WITH APPROXIMATELY 29,000 MILES ON ITS ODOMETER IS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY DRIVING 70MPH, HIGHWAY IS FLAT AND SPEED IS CONSTANT WITH VERY LIGHT TRAFFIC. WITHOUT WARNING, CAR COMPLETELY TURNS OFF, ALL GAUGES (SPEED, TACHOMETER, AND FUEL) REVERT TO "0" POSITION, RADIO TURNS O…

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ODI 10587017 · 121,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PUMP, BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP SEAL, AND THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAG…

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ODI 10297963 · 42,000 mi

BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

Look up ODI 10297963 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

8 mentions · 6.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 70,500 mi (8 usable records).

ODI 10464279 · 52,890 mi

WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR HAS A VERY BAD JERK LIKE IT DOESN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR IT WANTS TO BE IN. AND SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS GETTING HIT FROM BEHIND WITH HOW HARD OTHER JERKS ARE. *TR

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ODI 10465857 · 75,000 mi

INTERMITTENT HARSH 2-1 DOWNSHIFT (JOLT) WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH LIGHT BRAKE APPLICATION. JOLTS AND/OR JERKS FELT WHEN REACCELERATING AFTER COASTING. JUDDER WHEN GENTLY ACCELERATING (MOST NOTICEABLE AT AN ENGINE SPEED BELOW 2,000 RPM). *TR

Look up ODI 10465857 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10486122 · 156,215 mi

TRANSMISSION JERKS AND SLIPS. WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR SLAMS INTO GEAR. THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT IF THIS OCCURRED DURING WET OR ICY ROAD CONDITIONS DUE TO BREAKING TRACTION FROM WHEELS AND ROAD SURFACE. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AND AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THOUSANDS OF 5 SERIES BMW'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE RESULT IS A DEFECTIVE MECHATRONICS WHICH COSTS BETWEEN $5000-$8000 TO FIX AND NOT COVERED BY BMW OR UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Look up ODI 10486122 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(hard shift\w*|rough shift\w*|delay\w* shift\w*|shift\w* hard|jerk\w*|lurch\w*)\b

Stalling or loss of power

5 mentions · 4.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 102,783 mi (4 usable records).

ODI 10444481 · 101,565 mi

ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AFTER THE STALL. LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKE POWER ASSIST WHEN VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE STALLS VERY PERIODICALLY AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF OPERATION. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER 3 TIMES AND WERE UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL WIRING TO FIX PROBLEM BUT PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. ALSO A BRAND NEW ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED AND STILL SAME PROBLEMS AROSE. MESSAGE CENTER WOULD DISPLAY "TRANSMISSION FAULT" DRIVE MODERATELY. *TT

Look up ODI 10444481 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10542730 · 71,487 mi

CUSTOM ORDERED 545I IN 2004 AS STILL ORIGINAL/EXISTING OWNER. HAVE HAD REPEATED ELECTRICAL ERRORS ON I DRIVE "DYNAMIC DRIVE FAILURE PROCEED WITH CAUTION AS THE STEERING HAS BEEN EFFECTED AND SEE YOUR BMW AUTHORIZED REP," "ELECTRICAL FAILURE SEE YOUR BMW AUTHORIZED REP. IMMEDIATELY PROCEED WITH CAUTION, "PASSENGER RESTRAINT FAULT PROCEED WITH CAUTION EFFECTING BELT AND BELT FORCE LIMITER, STALLING AT VERY LOW AND AS HIGH RATES OF SPEED AS HIGH AS 70 MPH WITHOUT ANY WARNING." SOMETIMES THE CAR LOGS THE ERRORS AND MANY TIMES IT DOESN'T FULLY TH…

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ODI 10168026

2005 BMW 545I STEERING MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED, STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS DIDN'T WORK WHEN IT RAINED, HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF AT NIGHT TIME, AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *KB THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WENT BLANK, THE TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK. THE STEERING COLUMN MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BECAUSE WATER WAS FOUND IN THE LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT WHICH HAD DAMAGED THE WIRES.*JB

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Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Steering assistance concerns

3 mentions · 2.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 101,565 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10444481 · 101,565 mi

ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AFTER THE STALL. LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKE POWER ASSIST WHEN VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE STALLS VERY PERIODICALLY AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF OPERATION. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER 3 TIMES AND WERE UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL WIRING TO FIX PROBLEM BUT PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. ALSO A BRAND NEW ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED AND STILL SAME PROBLEMS AROSE. MESSAGE CENTER WOULD DISPLAY "TRANSMISSION FAULT" DRIVE MODERATELY. *TT

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ODI 10330465 · 51,050 mi

ON MAY 12TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 545I BMW AT 8PM WITH MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DISPLAY INDICATED A WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION (WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR CONTROL SPEED OF WIPERS). AFTER A FEW MORE MILES, I NOTICED THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION TO ANY OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, NOR DID THE TURN SIGNALS WORK (WOULD NOT STAY ON UNLESS HELD DOWN). ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, SEAT BELT TENSIONERS MAY NOT FUNCTION, AND THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, INDICATING THAT T…

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ODI 10510213 · 120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND THE POWER STEERING DEACTIVATED WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, ALL OF THE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED AND AN ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTION WARNING MESSAGE SHOWED UP BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE 120,000. *TR

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Matching rule\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Battery drain and no-start mentions

2 mentions · 1.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 89,025 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10330465 · 51,050 mi

ON MAY 12TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 545I BMW AT 8PM WITH MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DISPLAY INDICATED A WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION (WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR CONTROL SPEED OF WIPERS). AFTER A FEW MORE MILES, I NOTICED THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION TO ANY OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, NOR DID THE TURN SIGNALS WORK (WOULD NOT STAY ON UNLESS HELD DOWN). ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, SEAT BELT TENSIONERS MAY NOT FUNCTION, AND THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, INDICATING THAT T…

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ODI 11354824 · 127,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR IN A BUSY HIGHWAY THE CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING. NO ODD SOUNDS NO SHUTTING NO CLUNKING. IT WAS LIKE SOME JUST TURNED THE KEY OFF. I MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO WAIT TWO HOURS FOR A TOW TRUCK TO SHOW UP. MOST OF THE WEEK PREVIOUS TO THIS MY CAR WOULD NOT START AT RANDOM TIMES EVEN THOUGH MY BATTERY WAS GOOD AND I HAD GAS. THE PROBLEM WAS THE DME HAD WATER INGRESS FROM A POOR LOCATION WHERE THE DME AND METRONIC COMPUTER AND THE INTERGRADED POWER MODULE ARE LOCATED AND STORED. THEY …

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Matching rule\b(parasitic drain|battery drain\w*|dead battery|won.t start|would not start|no.start)\b