2003 BMW 745LI: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 50 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (20% 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 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2003 BMW 745LI. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the brake fluid warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with rotors, brake wear sensors, and brake failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 174,500.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2022
“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 pay out of pocket expense to repair.the approximate failure mileage was 116,000. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2016
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 745li. The contact stated that the air bag indicator remained illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2016
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2016
“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 mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2016
“Bought 2003 745li new. Many problems from the start and often in for service. Driver side window motor quit working a year ago. Learned this is common with other blogs and bmw owners. Current miles are only 70,000. Over the past year the engine has run extremely rough even having to stop the car because of it. Occasionally has been difficult to restart. After three weeks in their service center bmw can't seem to figure out the cause but want to do $4500 of work in the engine while telling me they can't be sure that what they do will take care of the problem!?”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2015
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2014
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2014
“My car is having severe transmission problems that were recalled on other cars of the same year, make and model. Also the park lights won't work most of the time. The traction control as well as the antilock brakes go in and out. The stability control on the feont passenger side goes out. It happens while driving.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 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 745LI 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 745LI reliable?
NHTSA has 50 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 BMW 745LI. The most complained-about area is air bags (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 BMW 745LI problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 100,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 BMW 745LI 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.