2005 BMW 745Li

Routine

Owners filed 25 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Seat Belts3
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc)3
203
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
000
Power Train2
000
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch2
001
Vehicle Speed Control1
101
Structure › Body › Door1
000
Structure › Body1
000
Seats1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch17V328000
Filed May 18, 201745,484 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2005-2008 745i, 745Li, 750i, 750Li, 760i, 760Li, and B7 Alpina vehicles equipped with both the Comfort Access and Soft Close Automatic options. In these vehicles, the doors may appear to be closed and latched, but, in fact, may inadvertently open.

Risk. The door may unexpectedly open due to road or driving conditions or occupant contact with the door. The sudden opening may result in occupant ejection or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the door latch system, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch12V504000
Filed Oct 17, 20127,485 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 7-Series vehicles, equipped with both Comfort Access and Soft Close Automatic options, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through September 3, 2007. Due to a software problem, the doors may appear to be closed and latched, but, in fact, may inadvertently open.

Risk. The door may unexpectedly open due to road or driving conditions or occupant contact with the door. The sudden opening may result in occupant ejection or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy. BMW will notify owners and dealers will update software. The recall began on December 12, 2012. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch12V502000
Filed Oct 17, 201245,500 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 7-Series vehicles, equipped with the Comfort Access option, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through July 24, 2008. The affected vehicles have an electronic key and an electronic connection between the gear shifter and the transmission (shift-by-wire) that automatically shifts the transmission to Park when the driver presses the Start/Stop button to shutdown the engine. If the driver presses the engine Start/Stop button 2 or 3 times within a short time interval, the system may shift the transmission to Neutral rather than Park. If using the electronic key (Comfort Access mode), there would be no protection from the ignition interlock that prevents key removal if the vehicle is not in Park.

Risk. If the driver exits the vehicle with the transmission in Neutral and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may rollaway. Unattended rollaway incidents often result in a crash or cause injury to pedestrians attempting to stop or enter the vehicle or to other bystanders in the path of the vehicle.

Remedy. BMW will notify owners beginning in November 2012. The remedy became available in March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

What owners reported

Newest filings
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Sep 13, 201858,423 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BMW OF RIVERSIDE (3060 ADAMS ST, RIVERSIDE, CA 92504, 1 (951) 373-5000) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V328000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). SHORTLY AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCHES FAILED TO LOCK AND WERE UNSECURED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE SAME DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED AFTER SERVICING THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LATCH REPLACEMENT WAS SEPARATE FROM THE RECALL REPAIR AND THAT BOTH LATCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY REPLACED BOTH LATCHES; HOWEVER, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LATCH STILL FAILED. THE OTHER THREE DOOR LATCHES WORKED PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,423.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 12, 2017125,000 milesDE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT MENTION ANY RECALLS FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module
Filed Apr 7, 201772,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. AFTER INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD IMMEDIATELY SWITCH TO THE PARK OR NEUTRAL POSITION. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAS MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Sep 30, 2016122,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE DOOR AJAR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCK MOTION KIT AND LOCK SAFETY KIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 122,000.

Power Train
Filed Jan 23, 2015145,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT BACK TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V502000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/RegulatorCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 9, 2015141,000 milesAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 BMW 745LI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR HOUSING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VEERED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BRIDGE THROUGH THE RAILING AND INTO A POLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Crash1 injured
Filed Sep 26, 2014126,119 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 BMW 745LI. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE SLID TO THE RIGHT AND FLIPPED OVER ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A NECK INJURY AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,119.

Power Train
Filed Aug 15, 2014130,000 milesGA

MY VEHICLE STALLS IN TRAFFIC AND ONCE IT CUTS OFF THERE IS NO WAY TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. A POLICE TRIED TO HELP ME OUT AND TOLD ME THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I KEEP HAVING THIS PROBLEM ESPECIALLY WHEN I'M DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS ONCE IT CUTS OFF THERE'S NO WAY FOR ME TO STEER OFF OF THE ROAD. IT'S FRIGHTENING. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 26, 2013100,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED THAT THE DOORS WERE CLOSED. THE SOFT CLOSE AUTOMATIC OPTION FAILED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO SLAM THE DOOR IN ORDER FOR IT TO PROPERLY CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE CRANK CASE VENTILATION VALVES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V504000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Dec 19, 201278,000 milesIA

I TOOK MY 745LI TO THE ONLY BMW SERVICE CENTER IN DAVENPORT, IA FOR SERVICE AND THEY COULD NOT OPEN THE HOOD BY USING THE LATCH INSIDE THE CAR NOR COULD THEY OPEN IT BY ANY OTHER MEANS. THERE WAS NOTHING THAT LED UP TO THIS ISSUE, IT JUST HAPPENED. THEY FAILED ONCE AGAIN TO OPEN THE HOOD THE NEXT TIME I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR A SERVICE SO I ASKED THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY STATED IT WAS NOT SOMETHING COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, SO I WAS FORCED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD TO REMOVE MY FRONT TIRE IN ORDER TO OPEN THE HOOD AND THAT THE FAULTY PART WAS THE MECHANISM THAT CONNECTS WITH THE LATCH AND HOOD. I PAID OVER $3K FOR AN EXTENSIVE WARRANTY, SO I WAS LIVID THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS WAS NOT COVERED. I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR NEW PARTS, REPAIRS AND OF COURSE LABOR. I KEEP MY VEHICLE IN TIP-TOP CONDITION AND I EVEN KEEP IT IN STORAGE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT, IT WAS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. FOR A $80K CAR; I EXPECTED MORE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 29, 201298,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE HAD A ROUGH IDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE AIR LINES WOULD HAVE TO BE CLEANED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS THE STATE EMISSION TEST BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Seats
Filed Jan 13, 201288,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745 LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V379000 (SEATS).THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,300.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Dec 7, 201181,500 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A GARAGE, OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER PERFORMED REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

Seat Belts
Filed Nov 5, 201158,560 milesVA

A FULL WARNING MESSAGE APPEARING IN THE IDRIVE WAS FAULT IN PASS.-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. FASTEN AND CONTINUE TO WEAR BELTS. PLEASE CONTACT THE NEAREST BMW CENTER. NOW THE SEAT BELT /AIR BAG FAIL LIGHT STAYS ON AND PROVIDE A WARNING UPON START-UP. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 28, 201152,600 milesIL

ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK AS PULLING INTO GARAGE. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Jun 16, 201156,031 milesVA

I STARTED MY CAR UP AT APPROX. 6 PM 5/22/2011 AND A WARNING LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD INDICATING THAT MY SEAT BELT TENSIONER & PASSENGER AIR BAG IS NOT WORKING. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum
Filed Jan 24, 201154,000 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES: POWER ASSIST: VACUUM). THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT COULD NOT GET AN ANSWER AS TO WHEN THE REPAIRS WOULD BE DONE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT BEING ATTENDED TO IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,700. UPDATED 04/27/11

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum
Filed Dec 10, 201061,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE REPAIRED FOR THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAL ON THE VACUUM PUMP WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER, AS THE RECALL STATED. HE WAS THEN INFORMED THAT REPAIRING THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL WOULD NOT REPAIR THE ACTUAL FAILURE AND ADDITIONAL REPAIRS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL WOULD BE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 02/10/11 *BF UPDATED 08/22/11

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 16, 201049,000 milesAZ

TRANSMISSION SLAMS FROM SECOND TO FIRST GEAR, FEELS LIKE A BUMP FROM ANOTHER CAR IN THE BACK. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH ISSUE STILL THEIR DEALERSHIP SAID CANT FIND PROBLEM AND NOTHING IS WRONG. PROBLEM STILL HAPPENING FACTORY WARRANTY NOW UNAVAILABLE. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Apr 26, 2010100,060 milesVA

I STARTED MY CAR UP AT APPROX. 12:30AM SAT. 4/24/2010 A WARNING LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD INDICATING THAT MY SEAT BELT TENSIONER & PASSENGER AIR BAG IS NOT WORKING. *TR

20 of 25 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20080100Routine
20070100Routine
20060100Routine
2005 — this page25300Routine
200433010Routine
200350200Routine
200236200Routine

Compare every 745Li year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 18, 2017. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.