KnownCarProblems2004 BMW 745li Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 BMW 745li, most often about the transmission (33% of complaints, typically around 99,500 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about 745li model year since 2000.
Most common 2004 BMW 745li problems
Transmission
11 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 99,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 745li. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle with much hesitation from the engine. The power steering light then illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. In addition, the brake power assist warning…
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 745li. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH and attempting to merge onto the highway, the transmission safe mode activated as the vehicle decelerated independently. The contact also mentioned that the dynamic drive warning light activated. The vehicle was taken to an independent…
Air bags
9 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Tl contact owns a 2004 BMW 745li. While driving approximately 50 MPH the contact noticed that the air bag driver restraint system fault light illuminated. The dealer was contacted and stated that it might be a problem with the sensor and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The approximate failure…
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 745li. The contact stated that the driver side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the driver side seat mat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate…
Engine
7 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 104,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system.
Coolant transfer pipe seal is made of improper material that is not compatble with high engine temperatures. Seal fails causing loss of engine coolant. Seal fails at 40,000 to 110,000 miles. Repair is approximately $6,000 because engine must be taken apart to replace the seal. My seal failed at 104,000 miles. Loss of…
I purchased a 2004 BMW 745 li from lexus dealership in md, I drove to fayetteville, nc because im in the military. 1 week after being home at ft bragg I started the car in the morning and then the transfail safe light came on when I arrived at work. 4/12/2011 while driving to work in full heavy traffic the coolant…
Seats
3 complaints · 9%Tl contact owns a 2004 BMW 745li. The air bag light illuminated which indicated that there was no passenger in the front seat. The dealer stated that the occupant detention system needed to be reprogrammed. The detention system was reset; however, the light remained illuminated. The contact is responsible for…
On the dash board the loud warning light comes on: driver restraint system fault and passenger restraint system fault. I know that several 2002-2008 BMW 7-series got recalled regarding the same issue and manufacture offered 10 year warranty from in service date regarding this issue. Mine is a 2004 745li and should be…
Brakes
3 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: power assist.
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 745li. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 10v446000 (service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum) and begin to leak oil abnormally two months after the repair. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where they performed a diagnostic and…
Tl contact owns a 2004 BMW 745li. The contact stated that the brake pedal was soft and extended to the floorboard when depressed. The vehicle would not stop immediately when the brakes were applied. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the vehicle was functioning normally. The dealer also…
Seat belts
3 complaints · 9%On the dash board the loud warning light comes on: driver restraint system fault and passenger restraint system fault. I know that several 2002-2008 BMW 7-series got recalled regarding the same issue and manufacture offered 10 year warranty from in service date regarding this issue. Mine is a 2004 745li and should be…
The vehicle air bag system does not work due to a defective passenger seat occupancy sensor. It is a documented issue with BMW and they are denying coverage for my particular VIN
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 BMW 745li 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
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 2004 BMW 745li
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 BMW 745li?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (11 complaints, typically around 99,500 miles); air bags (9 complaints, typically around 95,000 miles); engine (7 complaints, typically around 104,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 BMW 745li have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2004 BMW 745li. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the BMW 745li?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about 745li model year since 2000, with 33 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.