MYRModel Year Report

2003 BMW 745I

○ Not enough data
2003 BMW 745I
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:52:17.883Z

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
32
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

28% of complaints

Complaints per year

2001: 1 complaint 2001 2002: 54 complaints 2002 2003: 32 complaints 2003 32 2004: 24 complaints 2004 2005: 16 complaints 2005 2006: 0 complaints 2006 2007: 1 complaint 2007 2008: 0 complaints 2008
2001: 1 complaint 2001 2002: 54 complaints 2002 2003: 32 complaints 2003 32 2004: 24 complaints 2004 2005: 16 complaints 2005 2006: 0 complaints 2006 2007: 1 complaint 2007 2008: 0 complaints 2008
2001: 1 complaint 2001 2002: 54 complaints 2002 2003: 32 complaints 2003 32 2004: 24 complaints 2004 2005: 16 complaints 2005 2006: 0 complaints 2006 2007: 1 complaint 2007 2008: 0 complaints 2008

2003: 32 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
20011
200254
200332
200424
200516
20060
20071
20080

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

28% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* 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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-17

I am the first and only owner of a 2003 BMW 745I. At four hundred miles the transmission was replaced due problems shifting etc.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-04-16

While vehicle was parked it slipped into neutral. This caused the vehicle to move and hit a wall. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-01-06

Service brakes

22% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Engine

13% · 4 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* 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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-08-13

Also filed under Electrical system

Air bags

13% · 4 reports
CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* 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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-12-22

Also filed under Electrical system

Electrical system

13% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing software and 12v/24v/48v battery.

CRASHFIRE

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2003-07-08Engine and engine cooling03V240000 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.

    Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the digital engine management control unit. Owner notification began July 8, 2003. Owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2003-09-12Engine and engine cooling03V324000 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.

    Remedy: 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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2011-08-05Preliminary evaluationClosed 2012-04-23 Vehicle Rollaway
  4. I
    2012-04-10Engineering analysisClosed 2013-01-24 Vehicle Rollaway

Buy-smart checklist

2003 BMW 745I — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 9 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 7 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 4 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V240000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 03V324000 · Engine and engine cooling
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2003 BMW 745I reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 BMW 745I?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 BMW 745I have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.