2003 BMW 745LI problems
Owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 BMW 745LI. Air bags is the most reported problem area, at 14% of complaints. After that come brakes (14%) and electrical system (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 77 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 14% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 2 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 104,000 miles 53 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 | 4 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 2 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 8 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 5 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 6 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 12 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 3 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 5 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 5 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 2 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Among the 53 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 104,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 2 complaints mention a crash; 2 injuries reported. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 83% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2003 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 4 model years of the BMW 745LI with enough data (27 complaints in that window). 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.
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. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained leg, back, and neck injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the crash scene to a dealer who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle.
The consumer stated while traveling 10-15 MPH the transmission indicator started flashing and the vehicle was unable to change gears. *nlm
Tl*- the contact owns a 2003 BMW 745li. While driving the vehicle at 5 MPH she lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle lost power, and she was unable to restart the vehicle. It was towed; the failure mileage was 10,000 miles. In 2006 while attempting to start the vehicle the transmission disengaged, the radio was on, and the vehicle was out of control. The vehicle was at the dealer for 4 to 5 days in order to update the software. On another occasion, the shift control fell off the vehicle.
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.