2003 BMW 745I problems
The 2003 BMW 745I has 47 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (15%) concerns brakes. Next are engine (13%) and transmission (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 47 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 15% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 11 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 81,000 miles 36 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 5 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 3 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 7 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 7 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 4 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 5 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 36 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 81,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 11 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 1 injury reported. Its complaints are more severe on average than those of 82% of model years in our database.
It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While waiting at a traffic light, the consumer experienced sudden acceleration. The consumer had both feet on the brake. However, the vehicle continued to surge forward resulting in total loss of control of the vehicle damaging 5 other vehicles in the process. Provide further details.
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. 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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 745I. After starting the engine, the "engine fail safe transmission" message displayed and the shifter would not switch out of the park position. While operating the vehicle, the "failed transmission drive moderate" message displayed and the speed would suddenly reduce. The vehicle also jerked and erroneously accelerate on occasion during gear changes. The cause of the failures were not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 100,000.