2003 Bmw 745i problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:automatic Transmission (5) · Service Brakes (3) · Seat Belts (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 745i model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
26 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (24)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2024-01-16 · B510819 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Fuel System, Gasoline 2023-12-20 · B160623 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
engine will crank but not start. there is no communication with the integrated fuel module (tfe) whendiagnosing with ista. the following two fault codes will be stored in the dme: 032b43 - low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low cda594 - message (- 0x33e) missing, rec
Equipment 2023-11-22 · B653423 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
customers may state that the alarm system (dwa) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. depending on the vehicleã¢ââs equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. additionally, the red anti-theft alarm led in
Equipment:electrical 2022-09-01 · B662419 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column.
Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) 2018-06-01 · B650709 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
navigation system: reporting missing or incorrect road map data: the route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:
Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) 2018-05-01 · B650709 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
navigation system: reporting missing or incorrect road map data: the route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:
Showing the 6 most recent of 24 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-08-14 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 47,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owns a 2003 bmw 745i. the contact stated while pulling into the garage and depressing the brake pedal, the engine revved up loudly. the contact stated that upon releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly, crashed into a refrigerator and pushed the refrigerator into the wall. the air bags did not deploy. there was n…”
2018-11-03 · Seat Belts · 106,000 mi“the car smokes from exhaust system when you pull off from red light, driveways, or whenever you excel in the car. i was told its a engine valve problem that bmw is aware of in the 7 series. this car cost to much for issues like you are a vapor from beyond when driving. also why is it a problem with sensor on passenger side seat. i only carry a 10…”
2018-08-13 · Engine · 130,000 mi · 🔥 fire“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 extinguish…”
2015-10-20 · Power Train · 100,000 mi“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 acceler…”
2015-01-27 · Seat Belts · 95,000 mi“following error when driving vehicle: "fault in pass-restraint system affecting airbag, belt tensioner or belt-force limiter. fasten and continue to wear seatbelts. please contact the nearest bmw center" in the navigation system when starting the car. " 2003 bmw 745i. this model/year was not included in prior recall. *tr …”
2015-01-16 · Air Bags · 155,000 mi“there is a fault in the passenger side seat belt code also the srs airbag light won't go off. *tr…”
2014-12-22 · Power Train · 153,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 745i. the contact stated that after exiting the vehicle, the vehicle rolled away. as a result, the vehicle crashed into a telephone pole. a police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the contact referenced nhtsa campaign number: 12v502000 (electrical sy…”
2014-10-16 · Unknown Or Other · 40,000 mi“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 frustrat…”
2014-07-23 · Electrical System:software · 72,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 745i. after the contact started the vehicle, the passenger restraint system, seat belt, and air bag warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. the indicators were reset by selecting the hard drive button located on the gps panel; however, the indicators were illuminated again the following day when the e…”
2014-07-08 · Seat Belts · 20,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 745li. the contact stated that the seat belt was stuck in the latch. the contact stated that the driver and passenger side air bag warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to a dealer. the technician diagnosed that the air bag sensor was defective. the vehicle was only repaired for the seat belt problem. the …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.