KnownCarProblems2003 BMW 745li Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 50 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 BMW 745li, most often about the air bags (22% of complaints, typically around 129,500 miles). It is the most complained-about 745li model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2003 BMW 745li problems
Air bags
11 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 129,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Tl contact owns a 2003 BMW 745li. The contact stated the air bag light had been illuminating on the instrument panel for a few months. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized dealer and the contact was advised that the front passenger seat sensor needed to be replaced. The dealer also informed the contact they were…
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…
Brakes
10 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 115,000 miles. Parts named most often: power assist.
In 2011 roseville BMW began work on a recall for my vehicle (recall campaign 10v- 446.) the first step of the recall was performed but due to a ?visual inspection? It was deemed that the remaining steps were not necessary. According the recall notices they did not properly perform the recall and within 18 months the…
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…
Transmission
8 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 103,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
After stopping my 2003 745li BMW on tuesday, december 14, 2010, (car was in park), I put gear selector into drive and vehicle started going into reverse causing me to almost hit vehicle behind me in the school zone. I turned off vehicle and started again thinking it was just a computer glitch, the car again proceeded…
Terrible transmission in this car!!!while driving, this car jumps into gear. Feels like someone hit me from behind whenever I stop. It also started leaking transmission fluid. After researching this car, I have found out the 745li models are known for transmission problems,and leaks. This car should have a recall on…
Engine
8 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 105,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2003 BMW 745li. The contact stated the vehicle was experiencing recurring failures in which the dashboard would display an engine malfunction message before stalling. The failures occurred after the vehicle was in operation for approximately 20 minutes while driving at any speed. After the failure…
11/09 driverside window regulator replaced;constantly replacing driver side turn signal bulb; in approx. March 2010 car would randomly not go into reverse and when I was able to get it into drive car would feel sluggish or when coming to a stop felt as if I was hit from behind or car would go into failsafe mode and I…
Electrical
7 complaints · 14%Parts named most often: ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery.
- the contact owns a 2003 BMW 745li. While driving the vehicle at 5 MPH she lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle lost power, and she was unable to restart the vehicle. It was towed; the failure mileage was 10,000 miles. In 2006 while attempting to start the vehicle the transmission disengaged, the radio was on…
Tl contact owns a 2003 BMW 745li . The contact stated that the alarm would activate on its own. In addition, the air bag and seat belt warning lights would illuminate on the instrument panel for no reason. The navigation system would flash on and off as if there were an electrical short whenever he would stop the…
Speed control
5 complaints · 10%11/09 driverside window regulator replaced;constantly replacing driver side turn signal bulb; in approx. March 2010 car would randomly not go into reverse and when I was able to get it into drive car would feel sluggish or when coming to a stop felt as if I was hit from behind or car would go into failsafe mode and I…
Terrible transmission in this car!!!while driving, this car jumps into gear. Feels like someone hit me from behind whenever I stop. It also started leaking transmission fluid. After researching this car, I have found out the 745li models are known for transmission problems,and leaks. This car should have a recall on…
Fuel system
5 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: storage.
I own a 2003 745li, bought it certified used in 2006. I have so far had air conditioning problems, oil leaks, transmission failures and leaks, power window failure and so many electrical problems that they are too numerous to list. My car is literally in the shop once a month. As of july 2009 the vehicle has 63,000…
On several occasions my BMW 74li 2003 has registered a engine malfunction after traveling long distance at 55 miles per hour. The engine would stall on the last time the company try to state that it was the gas but that is not true, I have always used high octane per the owner's manual. I have come across several…
Wheels and tires
4 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: tread/belt, rim, pressure monitoring and regulating systems.
On march 24th 2005 a dunlop (goodyear) m3 wintersport snow tire literally disintegrated on the expressway. The tread separated from the sidewalls and destroyed my inner wheel well of my 2003 BMW 745li. If not for the observant driver to my right who knows what would have happened. Just tires threw out the tread…
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 745li 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 745li
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 BMW 745li?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (11 complaints, typically around 129,500 miles); brakes (10 complaints, typically around 115,000 miles); transmission (8 complaints, typically around 103,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 BMW 745li 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 745li?
- It is the most complained-about 745li model year since 2000, with 50 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.