KnownCarProblems2003 BMW 745i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 BMW 745i, most often about the transmission (28% of complaints, typically around 40,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about 745i model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2003 BMW 745i problems
Transmission
9 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
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…
This vehicle has a defective transmission, BMW is aware of this but is banking on not enough complaints. When the car comes to a complete stop it pushes car to front as if being rear ended, but its the defective transmission guibo joint or and a software issue that BMW had installed in thousands of BMW vehicles at the…
Engine
6 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
My BMW 745i 2003 has experience several area of oil leakage. When brought in to the dealer, I'm told that it's due to the engine cooling error. I found this website with the recall of the same model and year BMW for this very reason but I am told by my dealer and the manufacturing company that my VIN # is not on the…
The contact owns a 2003 BMW 745i. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel intermittently. The contact dispensed coolant into the reservoir and then after driving 50 miles the malfunction recurred. In 2012, the vehicle was taken to an…
Brakes
6 complaints · 19%Parts named most often: foundation components.
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…
Car was recalled for brake issues. A hose was replaced. Brakes begin to fail shortly thereafter and got a point that the car would barely stop. Dealer and BMW say its my problem and insist I pay about $2500 for a repair that is under this recall.
Air bags
4 complaints · 13%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 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…
Electrical
4 complaints · 13%Parts named most often: software, 12v/24v/48v battery.
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 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…
Seat belts
3 complaints · 9%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…
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.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 BMW 745i recalls
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: If a large amount of oil loss occurs, engine damage may result. Depending on the extent of the damage, a crash could occur.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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.
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 2003 BMW 745i
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 BMW 745i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (9 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles); engine (6 complaints, typically around 81,000 miles); brakes (6 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2003 BMW 745i have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 26, 2003 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the BMW 745i?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about 745i model year since 2000, with 32 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