2003 BMW 745I: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 32 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (26% of complaints); the 2005 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2003
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 745i. While driving 70 mph, the fan belt fractured and an unknown warning indicator illuminated, which meant that the vehicle was overheating. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. A week later, the hood was opened and smoke was seen coming from the computer panel as a fire started. The contact extinguished the fire with a water hose and disconnected the battery. The vehicle stopped smoking once the battery was disconnected. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2018
“The car smokes from exhaust system when you pull off from red light, driveways, or whenever you excel in the car. I was told its a engine valve problem that bmw is aware of in the 7 series. This car cost to much for issues like you are a vapor from beyond when driving. Also why is it a problem with sensor on passenger side seat. I only carry a 10 lb. Purse the light stays on consist.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 745i. After starting the engine, the "engine fail safe transmission" message displayed and the shifter would not switch out of the park position. While operating the vehicle, the "failed transmission drive moderate" message displayed and the speed would suddenly reduce. The vehicle also jerked and erroneously accelerate on occasion during gear changes. The cause of the failures were not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Following error when driving vehicle: "fault in pass-restraint system affecting airbag, belt tensioner or belt-force limiter. Fasten and continue to wear seatbelts. Please contact the nearest bmw center" in the navigation system when starting the car. " 2003 bmw 745i. This model/year was not included in prior recall. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 745i. The contact stated that after exiting the vehicle, the vehicle rolled away. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a telephone pole. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 12v502000 (electrical system, power train). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,000. Updated 02/09/15*lj the consumer no longer owns the vehicle. Updated 10/7/2015 *js”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 745i. After the contact started the vehicle, the passenger restraint system, seat belt, and air bag warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The indicators were reset by selecting the hard drive button located on the gps panel; however, the indicators were illuminated again the following day when the engine was started. The failure occurred consistently thereafter. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 72,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2012
“The car displayed an error message stating "parking brake malfunction". When I applied the parking brake it did not work. I took the car to the dealership for repair. I paid a total of 1300 dollars to have the parking brake replaced. I later researched this problem on line and found that this is a very common occurrence with many models of bmw's. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 745li. The contact stated that the seat belt was stuck in the latch. The contact stated that the driver and passenger side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the air bag sensor was defective. The vehicle was only repaired for the seat belt problem. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 200,060.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 745i. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted into park, the vehicle would independently shift into drive. The failure caused the vehicle to roll away and crash into a porch. The front bumper was damaged. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the failure could not be duplicated and no assistance was offered to the contact. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 42,000. Updated 05/11/12*lj”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2011
“Transmission overheats and stalls. While coming to a stop, the car jerks before the stop feels like a someone ran into my bumper with there car. Transmission overheats per dash warning. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2003 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 2003 BMW 745I reliable?
NHTSA has 32 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 BMW 745I. The most complained-about area is power train (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 BMW 745I problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 74,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 BMW 745I have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling. 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.