U.S. public vehicle records

2003 Bmw 745LI: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

50 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

100,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 37 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 50 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	16	32.0%
Transmission and shifting	8	16.0%
Engine operation	5	10.0%
Electrical and battery issues	5	10.0%
Fuel system concerns	1	2.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags

Power Train

Service Brakes

Electrical System

Vehicle Speed Control

Engine

Equipment

Engine And Engine Cooling

Air Bags: 10; Power Train: 6; Service Brakes: 6; Electrical System: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Engine: 3; Equipment: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 6

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 13 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2003

2004

2005

2007

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2019

2020

2022

2003: 3; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2007: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 8; 2011: 7; 2012: 6; 2013: 1; 2014: 4; 2015: 2; 2016: 4; 2017: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2022: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10040061 · 2003-09-16 (September 16, 2003)

THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING 10-15 MPH THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR STARTED FLASHING AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS. *AK *TS *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10040061 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10049581 · 2003-12-11 (December 11, 2003)

REPETITIVE PROBLEMS WITH NAVIGATION, PHONE-- IDLING ISSUES THAT CAR VEHICLE TO SPUTTER AND OR LURCH FORWARD STABILITY CONTROL THAT SWITCHES ITSELF OFF WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION. AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10049581 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10050445 · 2003-12-11 (December 11, 2003)

WHILE WAITING AT AN INTERSECTION VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS A DESIGN DEFECT, AND COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10050445 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10061231 · 2004-03-03 (March 3, 2004)

WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH TAILGATE UNEXPECTEDLY FELL OFF. THIS ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 1,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10061231 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10066860 · 2004-06-04 (June 4, 2004)

WITHOUT WARNING, THE HOOD LATCH UNLOCKED AND CAUSED THE HOOD TO OPEN. *AK *SC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10066860 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10079062 · 2004-06-30 (June 30, 2004)

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. I MADE VISITS TO THE TEXAS DEALERSHIP IN NOVEMBER 2003, TWICE IN JANUARY 2004 AN…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10079062 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10098547 · 2004-11-09 (November 9, 2004)

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD NOT RELEASE. REQUIRED SLIDING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH OF THE SEAT BELT. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10098547 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10112767 · 2005-03-09 (March 9, 2005)

I LEASE A BMW 745LI. THE LEASE BEGAN MAY 15, 2003. OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS THREE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE LAST TWO WENT FLAT AS A RESULT OF DRIVING AT NIGHT OVER A LOW CURB (A SMALL ISLAND IN THE CENTER OF THE ROAD APPROXIMATELY 4 INCHES HIGH) THAT HAD BEEN INSTALLED SINCE I LAST TRAVELED THAT ROUTE. BOTH TIRES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WENT FLAT. I HAD STOPPED FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT BEHIND TWO OTHER CARS AND DID NOT SEE THE CURB (I HAVE PICTURES). SINCE I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE SPEED OF THE CAR WAS SLOW AS THE TIRES WENT OVER THE C…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10112767 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

03V240000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Reported: 2003-07-01 (July 1, 2003)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO A SOFTWARE ERROR, A DESYNCHRONIZATION OF THE VALVETRONIC MOTORS FOR ENGINE BANKS I AND II MAY OCCUR. IF THIS OCCURS, THE ENGINE COULD STALL.

Consequence: IN THOSE CASES, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. DEPENDING ON THE LEVEL OF ENGINE ROUGHNESS, OR STALLING, AS WELL AS TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AND THE DRIVER'S REACTIONS, THIS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

03V324000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Reported: 2003-08-26 (August 26, 2003)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE OIL FILTER DRAIN PLUG MAY BE INSUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED. THIS COULD LEAD TO LOOSENING OF THE PLUG CAUSING AN INITIAL OIL SPRAY AND A SUBSEQUENT OIL LEAK.

Consequence: IF A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL LOSS OCCURS, ENGINE DAMAGE MAY RESULT. DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE OF THE OIL FILTER DRAIN PLUG AND, IF NECESSARY, RETIGHTEN THE DRAIN PLUG WITH THE CORRECTLY SPECIFIED TORQUE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

50 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

74.0%Usable mileage37 / 50 records

98.0%Valid incident date49 / 50 records

100.0%Valid filing date50 / 50 records

98.0%Ordered incident and filing dates49 / 50 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.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Air Bags	925.0% ODI 10021142 · 2,000 mi THE TELEMATICS AND OTHER ELECTRONICS SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE HAVE FAILED OR REPORTED APPARENTLY ERRONEOUS INFORMATION ON MANY OCCASIONS. IN MOST CASES, THESE FAILURES OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN THE MIDST OF TRAVEL, WHICH THEREBY CAUSES THE DRIVER TO BECOME DISTRACTED FROM DRIVING WHILE FOCUSING ON THE SYSTEM FAILURE. THIS POSES A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE AS IT PREVENTS THE DRIVER FROM DEVOTING THE NEEDED ATTENTION TO OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. PROBLEMS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:*AK AIRBAG AND SRS WARNING MESSAGES; SERVICE ENGINE MES… Look up ODI 10021142 at NHTSA ↗	1020.0% ODI 10399671 · 117,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAD BEEN ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FOR A FEW MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THEY WERE NOT SURE THE AIR BAGS WOULD DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 117,000. Look up ODI 10399671 at NHTSA ↗	824.2% ODI 10374954 · 65,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745LI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN A FEW MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT A SOFTWARE UPGRADE WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000. Look up ODI 10374954 at NHTSA ↗	520.0% ODI 10327555 · 100,060 mi I STARTED MY CAR UP AT APPROX. 12:30AM SAT. 4/24/2010 A WARNING LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD INDICATING THAT MY SEAT BELT TENSIONER & PASSENGER AIR BAG IS NOT WORKING. *TR Look up ODI 10327555 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	1027.8% ODI 10018353 · 5,485 mi SYSTEMS FAILURE IN RAIN STORM WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 95 IN BROWARD COUNTY, FL. FAILURE INVOLVED WINDSHIELD WIPERS, LIGHTS, DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS ETC. WHICH CREATED AN UNSAFE CONDITION AS WELL AS QUITE A SURPRISE FOR ME (THE DRIVER). THIS CAR HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN NUMEROUS TRIPS TO THE DEALER TO FIX COMPUTER RELATED PROBLEMS AND THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT SEEMS TO BE BUT ONE OF MANY SIMILAR ISSUES EXPERIENCED BY OWNERS OF THIS MODEL. BMW WILL FIX THE CAR AND RETURN IT TO ME IN A PERIOD OF APPROXIMATELY 1 WEEK AFTER EACH INCIDENT. *JB Look up ODI 10018353 at NHTSA ↗	510.0% ODI 10187959 · 10,000 mi TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 5 MPH SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED; THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 MILES. IN 2006 WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED, THE RADIO WAS ON, AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR 4 TO 5 DAYS IN ORDER TO UPDATE THE SOFTWARE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE SHIFT CONTROL FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED… Look up ODI 10187959 at NHTSA ↗	13.0% ODI 10583375 · 130,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN AN EXTENSIVE OIL LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DUPLICATED OR DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT ALSO DESCRIBED A BURNING METAL AND OIL ODOR IN ADDITION TO A WHILE CLOUD OF SMOKE. THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WERE REPAIRED TWICE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ALTERNATOR, A… Look up ODI 10583375 at NHTSA ↗	14.0% ODI 10291502 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. NOTE: NOW THE ENGINE OVERHEATING LIGHT IS GOING ON AND OFF CONTINUOUSLY, AND TH… Look up ODI 10291502 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Power Train	25.6% ODI 10422543 · 106,112 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745 LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,112 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,313. Look up ODI 10422543 at NHTSA ↗	612.0% ODI 10371074 · 63,000 mi AFTER STOPPING MY 2003 745LI BMW ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2010, (CAR WAS IN PARK), I PUT GEAR SELECTOR INTO DRIVE AND VEHICLE STARTED GOING INTO REVERSE CAUSING ME TO ALMOST HIT VEHICLE BEHIND ME IN THE SCHOOL ZONE. I TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND STARTED AGAIN THINKING IT WAS JUST A COMPUTER GLITCH, THE CAR AGAIN PROCEEDED TO GO BACKWARDS WHILE IN PARK AND DRIVE. AFTER RESTARTING VEHICLE THE THIRD TIME, THE DRIVE FUNCTION FINALLY WORKED. THE FOLLOWING DAY I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A BMW SERVICE CENTER. AT THE CENTER THE VEHICLE AGAIN STA… Look up ODI 10371074 at NHTSA ↗	721.2% ODI 10296930 · 28,000 mi TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN FAILING ON MY 2004 754LI THE FIRST YEAR I PURCHASED IT. I HAVE SENT TO THE VIST BMW IN CYPRESS CREEK FLORIDA OVER 20 TIMES IT STAYED IN THE THEIR HANDS FOR WEEKS ON END AND ALWAYS TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. FOR YEARS IT WAS A CONSTANT CHORE TO DRIVE 30 MILES TO THEIR FACILITY AND FOR THEM TO INSPECT MY COMPLAINT TO SIMPLY TO TELL ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. LOW AND BEHOLD MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AND WHEN I WENT THERE AGAIN, THEY SAID " WELL IT SEEMS LIKE YOUR TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND WOULD NEED… Look up ODI 10296930 at NHTSA ↗	28.0% ODI 10622607 · 130,000 mi 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. *TR Look up ODI 10622607 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	616.7% ODI 10000614 2002 BMW 745LI HIGH PITCH WHINE FROM TRANSMISSION, SIMILAR TO AIRCRAFT TURBINE ENGINE NOISE, WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. BMW, IT'S DEALER AND HEADQUARTERS HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND ARE UNABLE TO RESOLVE OR FIX IT. ADDITIONAL PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE IS A SHIMMY FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. Look up ODI 10000614 at NHTSA ↗	24.0% ODI 10040061 · 6,000 mi THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING 10-15 MPH THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR STARTED FLASHING AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS. AK TS *NLM Look up ODI 10040061 at NHTSA ↗	412.1% ODI 10296930 · 28,000 mi TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN FAILING ON MY 2004 754LI THE FIRST YEAR I PURCHASED IT. I HAVE SENT TO THE VIST BMW IN CYPRESS CREEK FLORIDA OVER 20 TIMES IT STAYED IN THE THEIR HANDS FOR WEEKS ON END AND ALWAYS TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. FOR YEARS IT WAS A CONSTANT CHORE TO DRIVE 30 MILES TO THEIR FACILITY AND FOR THEM TO INSPECT MY COMPLAINT TO SIMPLY TO TELL ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. LOW AND BEHOLD MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AND WHEN I WENT THERE AGAIN, THEY SAID " WELL IT SEEMS LIKE YOUR TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND WOULD NEED… Look up ODI 10296930 at NHTSA ↗	312.0% ODI 10291429 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. NOTE: NOW THE ENGINE OVERHEATING LIGHT IS GOING ON AND OFF CON… Look up ODI 10291429 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine	25.6% ODI 11203845 · 180,425 mi CAR STALLED AND ALL THE LIGHTS ARE FLASHING ON THE DASH... WILL NOT START BACK UP... ALMOST HAD A SERIOUS WRECK AT 75MPH CAR JUST WENT OFF...HAD NO STEERING AND BARLEY MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD... DAMAGED THE FRONT END AFTER HITTING THE CURB TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY TO SAFETY... HAD IT TOWED HOME THEN TO A BMW DEALER WHO TOLD ME MY CASS WENT OUT AND THE COMPUTER WAS NOT RESPONDING AND COULD BE MANY THINGS TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ME OVER $4K TO FIX THE CAR... I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME AND IT SITS IN MY BACK YARD NOW AND HAS BEEN SITTING … Look up ODI 11203845 at NHTSA ↗	36.0% ODI 10470881 · 143,000 mi 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. I WENT TO DROP CAR OFF FOR REPAIR,AND THERE WERE 4 OTHER 745LI'S NEEDING SAME RE… Look up ODI 10470881 at NHTSA ↗	618.2% ODI 10491870 · 90,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE HOSE TO THE ENGINE WAS FRACTURED, CAUSING THE OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. Look up ODI 10491870 at NHTSA ↗	28.0% ODI 10509659 · 100,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED THAT THE DOORS WERE CLOSED. THE SOFT CLOSE AUTOMATIC OPTION FAILED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO SLAM THE DOOR IN ORDER FOR IT TO PROPERLY CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE CRANK CASE VEN… Look up ODI 10509659 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Seat Belts	38.3% ODI 10795344 · 101,000 mi THE AIRBAG AND SEATBELT TENSIONER WAS RECALLED FOR SAME MANUFACTURER FOR CARS FROM 2004 AND UP. THE 2002 AND 2003 MODEL HAD THE SAME ISSUE BUT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE LIGHT FOR THE SEATBELT TENSIONER AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG CAME ON. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN SINCE AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT TIGHTEN IN AN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. Look up ODI 10795344 at NHTSA ↗	24.0% ODI 10275346 · 80,000 mi TL*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. Look up ODI 10275346 at NHTSA ↗	39.1% ODI 10499391 · 76,000 mi ON THE DASH BOARD THE LOUD WARNING LIGHT COMES ON: DRIVER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT AND PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT. I KNOW THAT SEVERAL 2002-2008 BMW 7-SERIES GOT RECALLED REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE AND MANUFACTURE OFFERED 10 YEAR WARRANTY FROM IN SERVICE DATE REGARDING THIS ISSUE. MINE IS A 2004 745LI AND SHOULD BE ONE OF THE RECALLED ONE. CALLED THE MANUFACTURE AND THEY SAD THE VIN NUMBER THAT MY CAR HAS NEVER HAVE BEEN RECALLED WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS ON AND I THINK THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. IS A SHAME TO SPEND SO MU… Look up ODI 10499391 at NHTSA ↗	312.0% ODI 10327555 · 100,060 mi I STARTED MY CAR UP AT APPROX. 12:30AM SAT. 4/24/2010 A WARNING LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD INDICATING THAT MY SEAT BELT TENSIONER & PASSENGER AIR BAG IS NOT WORKING. *TR Look up ODI 10327555 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling	38.3% ODI 10283607 · 96,000 mi MY 2002 BMW 745LI IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS REPORTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V240000. WHEN I CALLED BMW TO ASK ABOUT THE RECALL THEY TOLD ME THAT MY BMW 745LI DID NOT HAVE ANY RECALLS UNDER MY VIN. BUT THE PROBLEMS ARE THE SAME AS REPORTED ON NHTSA. *TR Look up ODI 10283607 at NHTSA ↗	24.0% ODI 10380056 · 100,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING RECURRING FAILURES IN WHICH THE DASHBOARD WOULD DISPLAY AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION MESSAGE BEFORE STALLING. THE FAILURES OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD BE PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED. AFTER SOME OF THE FAILURES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE … Look up ODI 10380056 at NHTSA ↗	13.0% ODI 10395588 · 109,115 mi I PURCHASED A 2004 BMW 745 LI FROM LEXUS DEALERSHIP IN MD, I DROVE TO FAYETTEVILLE, NC BECAUSE IM IN THE MILITARY. 1 WEEK AFTER BEING HOME AT FT BRAGG I STARTED THE CAR IN THE MORNING AND THEN THE TRANSFAIL SAFE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK. 4/12/2011 WHILE DRIVING TO WORK IN FULL HEAVY TRAFFIC THE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON WITH A YELLOW INDICATOR AND TOLD ME TO DRIVE MODERATELY. WHILE TRYING TO DRIVE TO A GAS STATION THE RED INDICATOR CAME ON AND TOLD ME TO STOP SAFELY AND THIS IS WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THIS COMPUTER IS ALWAYS SAYING SOMET… Look up ODI 10395588 at NHTSA ↗	28.0% ODI 10312152 · 26,000 mi DYNAMIS DRIVE INACTIVE LIGHT COMES ON UNTIL THE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED BUT IT WON'T STORE THE CODE. BMW SAID THAT THIS CAN'T HAPPEN SO WHEN IT HAPPENED I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND HE SAW IT WAS ON BUT AS SOON AS HE SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT THE LIGHT WAS OFF AND THE CODE GONE. THE CAR ACTS LIKE A BIG BOAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND CAN CAUSE YOU TO LOSE CONTROL BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT MOVES SIDE TO SIDE. *TR Look up ODI 10312152 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline	513.9% ODI 10021142 · 2,000 mi THE TELEMATICS AND OTHER ELECTRONICS SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE HAVE FAILED OR REPORTED APPARENTLY ERRONEOUS INFORMATION ON MANY OCCASIONS. IN MOST CASES, THESE FAILURES OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN THE MIDST OF TRAVEL, WHICH THEREBY CAUSES THE DRIVER TO BECOME DISTRACTED FROM DRIVING WHILE FOCUSING ON THE SYSTEM FAILURE. THIS POSES A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE AS IT PREVENTS THE DRIVER FROM DEVOTING THE NEEDED ATTENTION TO OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. PROBLEMS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:*AK AIRBAG AND SRS WARNING MESSAGES; SERVICE ENGINE MES… Look up ODI 10021142 at NHTSA ↗	24.0% ODI 10345069 · 22,000 mi 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. *TR Look up ODI 10345069 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	14.0% ODI 10622607 · 130,000 mi 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. *TR Look up ODI 10622607 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.

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
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Air Bags	116,000–176,000 mi	142,000 mi	7	ODI 10399671 · 117,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAD BEEN ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FOR A FEW MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THEY WERE NOT SURE THE AIR BAGS WOULD DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 117,000. Look up ODI 10399671 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10485426 · 171,000 mi TL 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. Look up ODI 10485426 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10584033 · 142,000 mi TL* 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.… Look up ODI 10584033 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	Too few reports for a range	157,000 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10371074 · 63,000 mi AFTER STOPPING MY 2003 745LI BMW ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2010, (CAR WAS IN PARK), I PUT GEAR SELECTOR INTO DRIVE AND VEHICLE STARTED GOING INTO REVERSE CAUSING ME TO ALMOST HIT VEHICLE BEHIND ME IN THE SCHOOL ZONE. I TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND STARTED AGAIN THINKING IT WAS JUST A COMPUTER GLITCH, THE CAR AGAIN PROCEEDED TO GO BACKWARDS WHILE IN PARK AND DRIVE. AFTER RESTARTING VEHICLE THE THIRD TIME, THE DRIVE FUNCTION FINALLY WORKED. THE FOLLOWING DAY I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A BMW SERVICE CENTER. AT THE CENTER THE VEHICLE AGAIN STA… Look up ODI 10371074 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10470881 · 143,000 mi 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. I WENT TO DROP CAR OFF FOR REPAIR,AND THERE WERE 4 OTHER 745LI'S NEEDING SAME RE… Look up ODI 10470881 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10485426 · 171,000 mi TL* 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. Look up ODI 10485426 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes	114,750–115,750 mi	114,875 mi	6	ODI 10458423 · 114,750 mi PARKING BRAKE FAULT LIGHT ON. STATES NO PARKING BRAKE AVAILABLE USING BUTTON WHEN STATIONARY. JS Look up ODI 10458423 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10458427 · 114,750 mi BRAKE AND DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION.. PARKING BRAKE WITHOUT EMERGENCY BRAKING FUNCTION. AVOID HARD BRAKING. JS Look up ODI 10458427 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10468771 · 109,000 mi 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! *TR Look up ODI 10468771 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	75,000 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10187959 · 10,000 mi TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 5 MPH SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED; THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 MILES. IN 2006 WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED, THE RADIO WAS ON, AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR 4 TO 5 DAYS IN ORDER TO UPDATE THE SOFTWARE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE SHIFT CONTROL FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED… Look up ODI 10187959 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10275346 · 80,000 mi TLTHE 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. Look up ODI 10275346 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10663472 · 131,000 mi I HAVE A SERIOUS OIL LEAK MY, LIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING, AIRBAG IN THE SEAT NOT WORKING, BRAKES AND HUD ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR Look up ODI 10663472 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control	Too few reports for a range	126,303 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10418836 · 109,606 mi 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. MAY 2010; HERE WE ARE IN AUGUST 2011 AND CAR AGAIN BEGAN TO NOT GO INTO REVERSE AND GIVE A F… Look up ODI 10418836 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10470881 · 143,000 mi 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. I WENT TO DROP CAR OFF FOR REPAIR,AND THERE WERE 4 OTHER 745LI'S NEEDING SAME RE… Look up ODI 10470881 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	Too few reports for a range	143,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10470881 · 143,000 mi 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. I WENT TO DROP CAR OFF FOR REPAIR,AND THERE WERE 4 OTHER 745LI'S NEEDING SAME RE… Look up ODI 10470881 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10616384 · 160,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE CHIME SOUNDED THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. Look up ODI 10616384 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10663472 · 131,000 mi I HAVE A SERIOUS OIL LEAK MY, LIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING, AIRBAG IN THE SEAT NOT WORKING, BRAKES AND HUD ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR Look up ODI 10663472 at NHTSA ↗
Equipment	Too few reports for a range	49,500 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10277279 · 49,000 mi I OWN A 2003 745LI, BOUGHT IT CERTIFIED USED IN 2006. I HAVE SO FAR HAD AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEMS, OIL LEAKS, TRANSMISSION FAILURES AND LEAKS, POWER WINDOW FAILURE AND SO MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT THEY ARE TOO NUMEROUS TO LIST. MY CAR IS LITERALLY IN THE SHOP ONCE A MONTH. AS OF JULY 2009 THE VEHICLE HAS 63,000 MILES AND TRUST ME, IT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PERFECTLY. IT EVEN PASSED A 160 POINT INSPECTION FOR THE EZ CARE AUTO EXTENDED WARRANTY AND PROCEEDED TO BREAK DOWN 3 WEEKS LATER, HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE? I PAID CLOSE TO 70K FOR A … Look up ODI 10277279 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10325503 · 50,000 mi MANUFACTURE SUPPLIED CELL PHONE IS OBSOLETE WITHIN THREE YEARS AFTER BUYING THE CAR. *TR Look up ODI 10325503 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	Too few reports for a range	104,803 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10380056 · 100,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING RECURRING FAILURES IN WHICH THE DASHBOARD WOULD DISPLAY AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION MESSAGE BEFORE STALLING. THE FAILURES OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD BE PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED. AFTER SOME OF THE FAILURES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE … Look up ODI 10380056 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10418836 · 109,606 mi 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. MAY 2010; HERE WE ARE IN AUGUST 2011 AND CAR AGAIN BEGAN TO NOT GO INTO REVERSE AND GIVE A F… Look up ODI 10418836 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

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

ComponentPeriod

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
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)	None	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.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2007: 0 complaints · 2008: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2007	0	0	0
2008	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2007	0	0	0
2008	0	0	0

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
Component	Air Bags	Power Train	Service Brakes	Electrical System	Vehicle Speed Control	Engine	Equipment	Engine And Engine Cooling
Air Bags	—	2 ODI 10485426 · 171,000 mi TL* 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. Look up ODI 10485426 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11031541 · 181,000 mi TL* 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. Look up ODI 11031541 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 10838894 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THEN INTO A BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LEG, BACK, AND NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE CRASH SCENE TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE… Look up ODI 10838894 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Power Train	2 ODI 10485426 · 171,000 mi TL* 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. Look up ODI 10485426 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11031541 · 181,000 mi TL* 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. Look up ODI 11031541 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	1 ODI 10440109 I PURCHASED A 2003 745LI NOVEMBER 2007 WHEN COMING TO A STOP THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE WITH HARSH DOWNSHIFT. TOOK CAR DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH CONCERN AND AFTER SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS TO REMEDY THE ISSUE WAS FINALLY MADE AWARE THAT THERE WAS SERVICE BULLETIN CONCERNING TRANSMISSION ISSUE. DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS POSSIBLY FROM TRANSMISSION AND ADVISED ME TO COME BACK FOR REPAIRS. IN NOVEMBER 2008 WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAD TO GET THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE CLUNKING WITH HARSH DOWNSHIFT. THIS ISSUE RETURNED AND … Look up ODI 10440109 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10470881 · 143,000 mi 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. I WENT TO DROP CAR OFF FOR REPAIR,AND THERE WERE 4 OTHER 745LI'S NEEDING SAME RE… Look up ODI 10470881 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10470881 · 143,000 mi 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. I WENT TO DROP CAR OFF FOR REPAIR,AND THERE WERE 4 OTHER 745LI'S NEEDING SAME RE… Look up ODI 10470881 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Service Brakes	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System	0	1 ODI 10440109 I PURCHASED A 2003 745LI NOVEMBER 2007 WHEN COMING TO A STOP THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE WITH HARSH DOWNSHIFT. TOOK CAR DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH CONCERN AND AFTER SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS TO REMEDY THE ISSUE WAS FINALLY MADE AWARE THAT THERE WAS SERVICE BULLETIN CONCERNING TRANSMISSION ISSUE. DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS POSSIBLY FROM TRANSMISSION AND ADVISED ME TO COME BACK FOR REPAIRS. IN NOVEMBER 2008 WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAD TO GET THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE CLUNKING WITH HARSH DOWNSHIFT. THIS ISSUE RETURNED AND … Look up ODI 10440109 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	1 ODI 10663472 · 131,000 mi I HAVE A SERIOUS OIL LEAK MY, LIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING, AIRBAG IN THE SEAT NOT WORKING, BRAKES AND HUD ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR Look up ODI 10663472 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Vehicle Speed Control	1 ODI 10838894 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THEN INTO A BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LEG, BACK, AND NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE CRASH SCENE TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE… Look up ODI 10838894 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10470881 · 143,000 mi 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. I WENT TO DROP CAR OFF FOR REPAIR,AND THERE WERE 4 OTHER 745LI'S NEEDING SAME RE… Look up ODI 10470881 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	1 ODI 10470881 · 143,000 mi 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. I WENT TO DROP CAR OFF FOR REPAIR,AND THERE WERE 4 OTHER 745LI'S NEEDING SAME RE… Look up ODI 10470881 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10418836 · 109,606 mi 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. MAY 2010; HERE WE ARE IN AUGUST 2011 AND CAR AGAIN BEGAN TO NOT GO INTO REVERSE AND GIVE A F… Look up ODI 10418836 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	0	1 ODI 10470881 · 143,000 mi 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. I WENT TO DROP CAR OFF FOR REPAIR,AND THERE WERE 4 OTHER 745LI'S NEEDING SAME RE… Look up ODI 10470881 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10663472 · 131,000 mi I HAVE A SERIOUS OIL LEAK MY, LIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING, AIRBAG IN THE SEAT NOT WORKING, BRAKES AND HUD ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR Look up ODI 10663472 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10470881 · 143,000 mi 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. I WENT TO DROP CAR OFF FOR REPAIR,AND THERE WERE 4 OTHER 745LI'S NEEDING SAME RE… Look up ODI 10470881 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0
Equipment	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Engine And Engine Cooling	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10418836 · 109,606 mi 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. MAY 2010; HERE WE ARE IN AUGUST 2011 AND CAR AGAIN BEGAN TO NOT GO INTO REVERSE AND GIVE A F… Look up ODI 10418836 at NHTSA ↗	0	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.

Search patterns

5 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

6 mentions · 12.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 44,000 mi (5 usable records).

ODI 10079062

Look up ODI 10079062 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10187959 · 10,000 mi

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 5 MPH SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED; THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 MILES. IN 2006 WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED, THE RADIO WAS ON, AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR 4 TO 5 DAYS IN ORDER TO UPDATE THE SOFTWARE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE SHIFT CONTROL FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED…

Look up ODI 10187959 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10345069 · 22,000 mi

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. *TR

Look up ODI 10345069 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

5 mentions · 10.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 160,000 mi (5 usable records).

ODI 10275346 · 80,000 mi

TL*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.

Look up ODI 10275346 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10616384 · 160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE CHIME SOUNDED THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Look up ODI 10616384 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10884208 · 202,082 mi

TL* 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.

Look up ODI 10884208 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Brake response concerns

4 mentions · 8.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 116,000 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10275346 · 80,000 mi

Look up ODI 10275346 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10838894

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THEN INTO A BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LEG, BACK, AND NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE CRASH SCENE TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE…

Look up ODI 10838894 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10935554 · 116,000 mi

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. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL BMW DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED FOR MY VEHICLE AND I WOULD HAVE TO…

Look up ODI 10935554 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Hard or delayed shifting

2 mentions · 4.0% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10049581

REPETITIVE PROBLEMS WITH NAVIGATION, PHONE-- IDLING ISSUES THAT CAR VEHICLE TO SPUTTER AND OR LURCH FORWARD STABILITY CONTROL THAT SWITCHES ITSELF OFF WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION. AK

Look up ODI 10049581 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10440109

I PURCHASED A 2003 745LI NOVEMBER 2007 WHEN COMING TO A STOP THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE WITH HARSH DOWNSHIFT. TOOK CAR DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH CONCERN AND AFTER SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS TO REMEDY THE ISSUE WAS FINALLY MADE AWARE THAT THERE WAS SERVICE BULLETIN CONCERNING TRANSMISSION ISSUE. DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS POSSIBLY FROM TRANSMISSION AND ADVISED ME TO COME BACK FOR REPAIRS. IN NOVEMBER 2008 WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAD TO GET THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE CLUNKING WITH HARSH DOWNSHIFT. THIS ISSUE RETURNED AND …

Look up ODI 10440109 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 2.0% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10200013

FAMILY & I HAD BEEN IN VANCOUVER BC FOR VACATION. WE BEGAN OUR RETURN TRIP HOME, CROSSED THE CANADIAN PEACE ARCH BORDER INTO THE US @ APPROXIMATELY 9PM WEDSNESDAY EVENING. ABOUT 1AM EARLY THURSDAY MORNING WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR, FOLLOWED BY OUR VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOOSING CONTROL & SWERVING IN ALL 3 LANES OF INTERSTATE 5 SOUTHBOUND. WE PULLED OVER ON THE LEFT SHOULDER AS IT WAS THE QUICKEST ROUTE TO SAFETY. WE CALLED FOR HELP, ONCE A STATE TROOPER ARRIVED WE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE & LEARNED OUR RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD BLOWN, …

Look up ODI 10200013 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b