10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 110,625 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The contact owns a 2003 BMW 745I. While driving 70 mph, the fan belt fractured and an unknown warning indicator illuminated, which meant that the vehicle was overheating. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. A week later, the hood was opened and smoke was seen coming from the computer panel as a fire started. The contact extinguished the fire with a water hose and disconnected the battery. The vehicle stopped smoking once the battery was disconnected. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was not available.
- Gulfport, MS, USA
I have a serious oil leak my, light control system is not working, airbag in the seat not working, brakes and hud assembly has to be replaced.
- Winnsboro, SC, USA
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 time. There are many frustrated owners that have paid thousands of dollars for this car. It is unsafe cause it pushes car to front causing a possible hit to front car in a traffic situation. Here is more about this service bulletin, I feel BMW should fix this at no charge since this is a safety hazard. Read A/T - harsh 3-2/2-1 downshifts/clunk noise, si B 24 17 07, automatic transmission December 2007, technical service this service information bulletin supersedes si B24 17 07 dated July 2007. Designates changes to this revision warranty information covered under the terms of the BMW new vehicle limited warranty. Please refer to the latest ksd for all applicable labor operations and allowances. If the appropriate labor operation is not contained in ksd, then a work time labor operation should be used. Defect code 24 00 39 61 00.
- Houston, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2003 BMW 745li. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled and the engine warning light illuminated. The contact also mentioned that the chime sounded throughout the vehicle. The vehicle was able to restart on the second attempt. After restarting, the vehicle vibrated and stalled. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
- Greenville, CA, USA
Car does not start correctly and stalls while sitting at lights. It also cuts off while driving.
- Fayetteville, NC, USA
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 authorized dealer where an engine overhaul was performed. The engine warning indicator illuminated after driving approximately 300 miles. The vehicle was in the process of being taken to the dealer for the most recent failure. There was recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 03V324000 (engine and engine cooling); however the VIN was ineligible. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.
- Orlando, FL, USA
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 it, because apparently BMW knows this, and has done nothing about it. They should make consumers aware they have ongoing problems with the transmissions. I went to drop car off for repair, and there were 4 other 745li's needing same repair. BMW should be made to recall these cars, and pay to have them repaired, or reimburse us if we already had this fixed.
- Richmond, VA, USA
- Newport News, VA, USA