2002 BMW 745I: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 54 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (26% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2003
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I bought the car from someone in cash. It has smoke coming out of the tail pipes. When its sitting and idling for a while it smokes terribly.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2018
“All of a sudden, I got into my 745i 2002,"fault in passenger restraint system affecting airbag belt tensioner or belt force limiter. Continue to wear safety belt despite fault." this is an obvious defective materials from bmw manufacturing plant.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw 745i. While driving at approximately 35 mph, the brake pedal had to be depressed with extreme force in order for the vehicle to stop without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the brake booster needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10v446000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw 745i. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into drive intermittently and the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2014
“Started my 745i up for a quick trip to the store and received a restraint system failure light. After some research it seems that this has been a problem with the 7 series for some time and bmw has even issued a recall with a 10 year restriction. I cannot understand why my 2002 is not covered under this recall since bmw is aware that this has been a problem. Presently my car is unsafe to drive and the cost to repair by dealer is extremely high. Bmw needs to own up to all models with this problem since this is a serious safety issue. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw 745i. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, there was a sudden loss of power as the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the digital engine management control unit needed to be reprogrammed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03v240000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2013
“Got on freeway drove 10 miles got off freeway. Stopped at lights in normal traffic, going 35mph. Than all of a sudden light and warning comes on saying pass-restraint air bag malfunction. Wont read my seatbelt when I buckle up nor when sitting in passenger is sitting. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw 745i. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the transmission skipped and jerked and failed to shift out of first gear. The dealer was notified who stated the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified who stated there was no recall. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 140,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw 745i. The contact stated that after parking and exiting the vehicle, the vehicle rolled away in reverse and crashed into another vehicle. No police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 122,000 and the current mileage was 123,000.*tr”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw 745li. The contact stated that the fuel system failed and the vehicle could not be started. The vehicle was inspected by a local mechanic who located the failure at the fuel pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 80,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP RUNS AT A ROTATIONAL SPEED THAT COULD RESULT IN REDUCED LUBRICATION OF ITS INTERNAL COMPONENTS. OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, WEAR-INDUCED INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE FUEL PUMP COULD RESULT IN INSUFFICIENT FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE WHEN THE FUEL TANK CONTAINS ONE-THIRD OR LESS OF ITS MAXIMUM FUEL CAPACITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL SYSTEM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-332-4269.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 745I by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 BMW 745I reliable?
NHTSA has 54 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 BMW 745I. The most complained-about area is power train (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 BMW 745I problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 95,400 miles or less.
Does the 2002 BMW 745I have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.