2003 BMW 745LI — Model Year Report: verdict, complaints & recalls

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2003: 50 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2002	36
2003	50
2004	33
2005	25
2006	0
2007	0
2008	0

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 20%

20% of complaints: air bags — 10 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THEN INTO A BUILDING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160229

IT SHOWED UP ON MY DASH BOARD AND NOW ITS NOT GOING AWAY

NHTSA ODI report, 20201024

THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND WARNING NEVER CLEARS WHEN DRIVING THE PASSGNERS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON , SAYING BRING TO NEAREST BMW DEALER SHIP.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190723

SERVICE BRAKES 12%

12% of complaints: service brakes — 6 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2003 BMW 745LI. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the brake fluid warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with rotors, brake wear sensors, and brake failure.

NHTSA ODI report, 20220720

POWER TRAIN 12%

12% of complaints: power train — 6 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 10%

10% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 5 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THEN INTO A BUILDING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160229

REPETITIVE PROBLEMS WITH NAVIGATION, PHONE-- IDLING ISSUES THAT CAR VEHICLE TO SPUTTER AND OR LURCH FORWARD STABILITY CONTROL THAT SWITCHES ITSELF OFF WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION. AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20031211

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 5 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20030708 — engine and engine cooling

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.

Campaign 03V240000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030912 — engine and engine cooling

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. OWNERS

Campaign 03V324000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20110805 — PE (closed 20120423)

Vehicle Rollaway

I 20120410 — EA (closed 20130124)

Vehicle Rollaway

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 BMW 745LI — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for air bags issues (10 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for service brakes issues (6 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for power train issues (6 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 03V240000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
Verify recall 03V324000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.

FAQ

Is the 2003 BMW 745LI 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 745LI?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 BMW 745LI have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.