The 2005 BMW 745Li has 3 safety recalls and 25 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (5 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints25filed by owners
Crashes · fires5 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths8 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
NHTSA recall 17V328000 · May 18, 2017 · 45,484 vehicles
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2005-2008 745i, 745Li, 750i, 750Li, 760i, 760Li, and B7 Alpina vehicles equipped with both the Comfort Access and Soft Close Automatic options. In these vehicles, the doors may appear to be closed and latched, but, in fact, may inadvertently open.
Risk: The door may unexpectedly open due to road or driving conditions or occupant contact with the door. The sudden opening may result in occupant ejection or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the door latch system, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
NHTSA recall 12V504000 · Oct 17, 2012 · 7,485 vehicles
Problem: BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 7-Series vehicles, equipped with both Comfort Access and Soft Close Automatic options, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through September 3, 2007. Due to a software problem, the doors may appear to be closed and latched, but, in fact, may inadvertently open.
Risk: The door may unexpectedly open due to road or driving conditions or occupant contact with the door. The sudden opening may result in occupant ejection or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners and dealers will update software. The recall began on December 12, 2012. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
NHTSA recall 12V502000 · Oct 17, 2012 · 45,500 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 7-Series vehicles, equipped with the Comfort Access option, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through July 24, 2008. The affected vehicles have an electronic key and an electronic connection between the gear shifter and the transmission (shift-by-wire) that automatically shifts the transmission to Park when the driver presses the Start/Stop button to shutdown the engine. If the driver presses the engine Start/Stop button 2 or 3 times within a short time interval, the system may shift the transmission to Neutral rather than Park. If using the electronic key (Comfort Access mode), there would be no protection from the ignition interlock that prevents key removal if the vehicle is not in Park.
Risk: If the driver exits the vehicle with the transmission in Neutral and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may rollaway. Unattended rollaway incidents often result in a crash or cause injury to pedestrians attempting to stop or enter the vehicle or to other bystanders in the path of the vehicle.
Fix: BMW will notify owners beginning in November 2012. The remedy became available in March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Components: Electrical system › Ignition › Switch; Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power train › Automatic transmission
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
745li
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Power train Automatic transmission
5
2
0
4
130,000 mi
Air bags
5
1
0
1
100,060 mi
Latches/locks/linkages Doors › Latch
4
0
0
1
78,000 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)
4
3
0
5
—
Engine and engine cooling Exhaust system
4
2
0
4
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Power assist › Vacuum
4
0
0
0
67,000 mi
Electrical system Alternator/generator/regulator; Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module
3
2
0
3
—
Seat belts
3
0
0
0
58,560 mi
Structure Body › Hood; Body
3
0
0
0
100,000 mi
Engine
2
1
0
1
—
Parking brake
1
0
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control
1
1
0
1
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Apr 10, 2018 · 58,423 milesLatches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BMW OF RIVERSIDE (3060 ADAMS ST, RIVERSIDE, CA 92504, 1 (951) 373-5000) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V328000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). SHORTLY AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCHES FAILED TO LOCK AND WERE UNSECURED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE SAME DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED AFTER SERVICING THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LATCH REPLACEMENT WAS SEPARATE FROM THE RECALL REPAIR AND THAT BOTH…
Aug 16, 2017 · 125,000 milesAir bags TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT MENTION ANY RECALLS FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Mar 24, 2017 · 72,000 milesElectrical system › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. AFTER INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD IMMEDIATELY SWITCH TO THE PARK OR NEUTRAL POSITION. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAS MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Sep 30, 2015 · 122,000 milesStructure › Body › Door TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE DOOR AJAR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCK MOTION KIT AND LOCK SAFETY KIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 122,000.
Jan 16, 2015 · 145,000 milesPower train TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT BACK TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V502000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
Jan 2, 2015 · 141,000 miles · crash · 1 injuryElectrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 BMW 745LI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR HOUSING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VEERED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BRIDGE THROUGH THE RAILING AND INTO A POLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…
Mar 18, 2013 · 126,119 miles · crash · 1 injuryElectronic stability control (esc) TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 BMW 745LI. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE SLID TO THE RIGHT AND FLIPPED OVER ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A NECK INJURY AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,119.
Jul 24, 2014 · 130,000 milesPower train MY VEHICLE STALLS IN TRAFFIC AND ONCE IT CUTS OFF THERE IS NO WAY TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. A POLICE TRIED TO HELP ME OUT AND TOLD ME THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I KEEP HAVING THIS PROBLEM ESPECIALLY WHEN I'M DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS ONCE IT CUTS OFF THERE'S NO WAY FOR ME TO STEER OFF OF THE ROAD. IT'S FRIGHTENING. *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA12002 · opened Apr 10, 2012 · closed Jan 24, 2013 · led to recall 12V502000Vehicle Rollaway In a letter dated October 16, 2012, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-502 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving the possibility of unattended vehicle rollaway in MY 2005 through 2008 BMW 7-Series (approximately 45,000) vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access Option.The Comfort Access option allows the driver to start and stop the engine (by pressing the engine start / stop button) without inserting the key fob into the vehicles key slot in the instrument panel.Subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option require the key fob be inserted the key slot to start the engine.Upon removal of the key from the key slot the vehicle will automatically shift to Park if the driver has not done so using the gearshift lever.Sunject vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access option are designed such that when the…
PE11025 · opened Aug 5, 2011 · closed Apr 23, 2012Vehicle Rollaway In response to the Office of Defects Investigation's (ODI) Information Request (IR) for PE11-025, BMW provided ODI with 1 complaint and 46 field reports relating to either incidents of unattended vehicle rollaway or vehicle movement after the driver expected the vehicle gearshift to automatically shift to park. ODI's analysis of the data provided by BMW identified 14 crashes and 5 alleged injuries. ODI has also identified 3 additional reports in its database alleging vehicle rollaway incidents of which 2 resulted in crashes.The subject vehicles are all equipped with push-buttons (Start/Stop button) to control starting/stopping the engine and Shift-by-Wire gearshift systems controlled by a column mounted selector lever behind the steering wheel. The Start/Stop button also controls switching the ignition and the radio ready state On and Off. Shift-by-wire systems replace the traditional…
EA08001 · opened Jan 4, 2008 · closed Dec 31, 2008 · led to recall 08V384000BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S…
PE07045 · opened Sep 4, 2007 · closed Jan 4, 2008BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION IN CERTAIN MY 2005 THROUGH MY 2006 BMW VEHICLES, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) FOR THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG MAY MALFUNCTION AND RENDER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INOPERATIVE.IN JUNE 2006, BMW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SI B 72 02 06) REGARDING THE ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP.ILLUMINATION OF THESE LIGHTS WARN THAT AN OPEN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MAY BE PRESENT WITHIN THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR.WHEN BOTH OF THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED, THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.CERTAIN BMW VEHICLES IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CONTAIN THE SAME SEAT MAT SENSOR.THESE ARE THE MY 2004 5-SERIES, 7-SERIES AND X3, THE MY 2004 THROUGH 2006Z-4 SERIES AND MY 2006 3-SERIES, 6-SERIES AND X5 VEHICLES.AN IMPROVED SEAT MAT SENSOR WAS INTRODUCED IN DECEMBER 2005 FOR THE MID-MY 2006 PRODUCTION.IN RESPONSE TO…