KnownCarProblems2005 BMW 545i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 78 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 BMW 545i, most often about the air bags (44% of complaints, typically around 102,000 miles). It is the most complained-about 545i model year since 2000.
Most common 2005 BMW 545i problems
Air bags
34 complaints · 44%Half of these problems showed up before 102,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
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…
The contact owns a 2005 BMW 545i. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised that the front passenger seat entry mat would need to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id…
Transmission
15 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 67,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
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…
Car slams like you just got rear ended if you speed up while rolling at around 35mph. This is very dangerous as it happens when I'm trying to change lanes and speed up. Also transmission jerks as if you are missing a spark or it is trying to find a higher or lower gear while cruising in traffic between 32-40 MPH. It…
Electrical
14 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles.
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…
My car have an overheated cable connection and is causing increased electric resistance, which is a recall and also the passenger airbag light is on and BMW refuse to fix the issues.. They say my VIN wasn't one of the car that's in their database for the recalls........
Brakes
10 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 76,500 miles. Parts named most often: power assist.
Coming to a stop sign, had to exert an unusual amount of force to the brake pedal to stop. Going to the dealer to have my brakes checked under the BMW brake recall, I was told I had no oil in my brake line, but the car was diagnosed with a vacuum pump oil leak. Remedy was to replace pump and clean, for $1300. If you…
Occurrence is very similar to oid 10399328, 10328989 and 10407868. First occurrence was in congested traffic conditions at slow speed. The vehicle slowed when brakes were applied normally but did not come to a full stop. Had to stomp on the brakes will extreme force to avoid colliding with the car in front. Problem…
Seat belts
9 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles.
When the vehicle is turned on and while driving, it says passenger air bag malfunction because of seat belt tensioner or something else. And won't turn off
I bought my 2005 BMW 545i after a week my seatbelt and and airbag lights will not go out, even with seatbelt locked in, is there a recall so I can get this fix and feel safe when driving my car.
Wheels and tires
6 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 58,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2005 BMW 545i. The contact stated that the rear passenger wheel deflated while in motion. The contact discovered that the wheel was fractured in half. The wheel was replaced and both the dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,000 and the current mileage…
Bought my tire in february of 2015. Had issue immediately with it deflating on its own with no noticeable leaks. Took to tire store I bought from they found no issues. Put inflate a tire in it and seemed to help for 2 months. Driving down the road the other day my tire shredded and the tread almost came off the wheel.…
Steering
5 complaints · 6%I have 2005 545i BMW, last week I received recall on braking system asked to take my car to dealer and get it fix. Took the car to dealer and they replaced the defected part. They checked everything and mention everything is fine. Today at approximately 1:30 pm I have received active steering malfunction message . I…
Frequent electronic malfunctions (averages 1 per hour). Car will engage cruise control with no warning. Occasionally will increase the cruise control by 5 mile per hour increments. Will randomly spray & wipe windows. Frequently unlocks doors & will not allow them to be locked again until the car is stopped & turned…
Engine
5 complaints · 6%The coolant transfer pipe which runs through the engine leaked all of the coolant and required an immediate shut down. It required a repair costing approximately $6,700 which included 38 hours of labor. This is clearly a design flaw. It is widely cited on the internet.
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 BMW 545i recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Bmw airbag light illumination
Summary
Bmw is conducting a safety recall campaign on approximately 200,000 my04 through my06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05 to correct the front passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat. The specific vehicles included in the recall aremy04- 06/ 5-series with standard and sport seats, my04-06/ x3-series and my06/ 3-series with sport seats. In addition, bmw will extend the warranty coverage of the passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat to 10-year/unlimited mileage on approximately 120,000 remaining my04-06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05. The specific vehicles included in the extended warranty are my 06/ 6 series, my 06/ 3-series with standard seats, my04-05/ z4, my04-06/
Bmw airbag light illumination
Summary
In certain my 2005 through my 2006 bmw vehicles, the occupant classification system (ocs) for the passenger frontal airbag may malfunction and render the passenger airbag inoperative.in june 2006, bmw issued a technical service bulletin (si b 72 02 06) regarding the illumination of the airbag warning light and the passenger airbag status lamp.illumination of these lights warn that an open electrical circuit may be present within the passenger seat mat sensor.when both of the lights are illuminated, the passenger frontal air bag will not deploy in a frontal crash.certain bmw vehicles in addition to the subject vehicles contain the same seat mat sensor.these are the my 2004 5-series, 7-series
Questions about the 2005 BMW 545i
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 BMW 545i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (34 complaints, typically around 102,000 miles); transmission (15 complaints, typically around 67,500 miles); electrical (14 complaints, typically around 120,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 BMW 545i have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2005 BMW 545i. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the BMW 545i?
- It is the most complained-about 545i model year since 2000, with 78 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.
Other BMW 545i years
- 2004
- 2005