2004 BMW 745LI problems
Owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 BMW 745LI. Air bags is the most reported problem area, at 18% of complaints. After that come drivetrain & axles (14%) and engine (14%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 50 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 18% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 2 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 104,000 miles 45 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 | 0 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 3 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 8 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 8 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 8 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 6 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 3 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 4 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 3 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 45 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 104,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 2 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2004 ranks 4th most-complained-about out of 4 model years of the BMW 745LI with enough data (9 complaints in that window).
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 2004 BMW 745li. The contact stated that there had been an extensive oil leak from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer several times but the failure was not able to be duplicated or diagnosed. The contact also described a burning metal and oil odor in addition to a while cloud of smoke. The alternator and battery were repaired twice by an independent mechanic however, the failure persisted.
Car was stationary on the side of the street. I simply got out of my vehicle and the next thing I know, it started rolling down the hillon its own. Vehicle hit another vehicle and then hit a nearby wall. Total loss.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 BMW 745li. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled. On a separate occasion, the vehicle was parked, but began to roll backward out of a garage. The contact stopped the vehicle by engaging the emergency brake and all of the lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have the failure diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 BMW 745li. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH and attempting to merge onto the highway, the transmission safe mode activated as the vehicle decelerated independently. The contact also mentioned that the dynamic drive warning light activated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure however, the contact stated that the transmission control module could possibly become defective.