KnownCarProblems2002 BMW 745i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 54 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 BMW 745i, most often about the transmission (32% of complaints, typically around 102,000 miles). It is the most complained-about 745i model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2002 BMW 745i problems
Transmission
17 complaints · 32%Half of these problems showed up before 102,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
The contact owns a 2002 BMW 745i. While having regular maintenance performed on vehicle, the mechanic advised that the transmission was leaking, stating that the oil pan and gasket would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who advised that the vehicle was not included in any recalls and…
While parked, the vehicle will come out of p (park mode) and fall away unattended. The vehicle was put into park automatically by pushing the start/stop button, and after leaving the vehicle, it was seen rolling across the street as if it was in neutral hitting the curb across the street.
Brakes
13 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 92,500 miles. Parts named most often: power assist.
The contact owns a 2002 BMW 745i. The contact was driving 10 MPH and applied the brakes but the vehicle would not come to a complete stop. The contact had to apply the brakes all the way to the floorboard in order to get a response. The contact called the manufacturer regarding NHTSA campaign id number: 10v446000…
The contact owns a 2002 BMW 745i. The contact stated that when driving on wet roads or in through a car wash, the vehicle would not respond when the brakes were applied. The contact would have to shift to neutral and apply the brakes with extreme pressure in order for the vehicle t o respond. The vehicle was taken to…
Air bags
11 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 89,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2002 BMW 745i. The contact stated that the air bag warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the safety information module was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance because the vehicle was…
Passenger safety systems fault / air bag / seat belt tensioner warning light has activated on my car. 2004 onwards models were recalled for this same issue. Can you please advise why all affected cars are not covered as this is clearly a model / year wide safety fault with the sensor mat or belt tensioner systems. BMW…
Engine
8 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
Consumer parked the vehicle in the garage and about three hours later smoke was coming from the garage. Vehicle caught on fire, and damaged another vehicle and the garage. Fire department extinguished the fire ,and determined that fire came from the back of the engine. Consumer experienced other failures with the…
The contact owns a 2002 BMW 745i. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he noticed the vehicle was leaking oil. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the failure could not be replicated. In addition, the contact also stated that there was blue smoke being emitted from the tailpipe. The…
Electrical
8 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
My BMW 745i 2002 with "drive by wire" six gear automatic transmission developed a rough shift, "clunk" in the lower gear ranges. In the lower gears, the vehicle sometimes down shifts unexpectedly resulting in a sudden drop in speed. This could cause an accident if someone was following to close behind.
Tl contact owns a 2002 BMW 745i. When the contact started the ignition, the frontal air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The warning indicator remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they stated that the failure was related to the…
Fuel system
3 complaints · 6%Consumer parked the vehicle in the garage and about three hours later smoke was coming from the garage. Vehicle caught on fire, and damaged another vehicle and the garage. Fire department extinguished the fire ,and determined that fire came from the back of the engine. Consumer experienced other failures with the…
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…
Seat belts
3 complaints · 6%Passenger safety systems fault / air bag / seat belt tensioner warning light has activated on my car. 2004 onwards models were recalled for this same issue. Can you please advise why all affected cars are not covered as this is clearly a model / year wide safety fault with the sensor mat or belt tensioner systems. BMW…
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 BMW 745i recalls
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the digital engine management control unit. Owner notification began july 8, 2003. Owners should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: delivery
Risk: If this were to occur, the engine could stall and not be restarted until more fuel was added to the fuel tank. This could occur even though the fuel gauge indicated that fuel still remained in the tank.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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
Vehicle rollaway
Summary
In a letter dated october 16, 2012, bmw of north america, llc (bmw) submitted a defect information report (dir), NHTSA recall no. 12v-502 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving the possibility of unattended vehicle rollaway in my 2005 through 2008 bmw 7-series (approximately 45,000) vehicles equipped with the comfort access option.the comfort access option allows the driver to start and stop the engine (by pressing the engine start / stop button) without inserting the key fob into the vehicles key slot in the instrument panel.subject vehicles not equipped with the comfort access option require the key fob be inserted the key slot to start the engine.upon removal of the key from the k
Vehicle rollaway
Summary
In response to the office of defects investigation's (odi) information request (ir) for pe11-025, bmw provided odi with 1 complaint and 46 field reports relating to either incidents of unattended vehicle rollaway or vehicle movement after the driver expected the vehicle gearshift to automatically shift to park. Odi's analysis of the data provided by bmw identified 14 crashes and 5 alleged injuries. Odi has also identified 3 additional reports in its database alleging vehicle rollaway incidents of which 2 resulted in crashes.the subject vehicles are all equipped with push-buttons (start/stop button) to control starting/stopping the engine and shift-by-wire gearshift systems controlled by a co
Questions about the 2002 BMW 745i
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 BMW 745i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (17 complaints, typically around 102,000 miles); brakes (13 complaints, typically around 92,500 miles); air bags (11 complaints, typically around 89,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 BMW 745i have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 1, 2003 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the BMW 745i?
- It is the most complained-about 745i model year since 2000, with 54 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 745i years
- 2002
- 2003