2003 Bmw 745li problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (7) · Vehicle Speed Control (5) · Service Brakes (5)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 745li model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
37 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (22)
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 22 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-07-20 · Service Brakes · 174,500 mi“the contact owns a 2003 bmw 745li. the contact stated while driving approximately 70 mph, the brake fluid warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with rotors, brake wear sensors, and brake failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the approximate failure milea…”
2020-10-24 · Air Bags · 115,000 mi“it showed up on my dash board and now its not going away…”
2019-07-23 · Air Bags · 75,000 mi“the airbag light and warning never clears when driving the passgners airbag warning light is on , saying bring to nearest bmw dealer ship.…”
2017-10-03 · Power Train · 181,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 745li. after placing the vehicle in park, the contact noticed that the gear shifted independently into neutral. the contact called bmw of sterling located in sterling, virginia and was informed that he had to pay for a diagnostic test. the vehicle was not repaired. in addition, the passenger air bag malfunction warni…”
2017-03-18 · Suspension“my car is having severe transmission problems that were recalled on other cars of the same year, make and model. also the park lights won't work most of the time. the traction control as well as the antilock brakes go in and out. the stability control on the feont passenger side goes out. it happens while driving.…”
2016-12-15 · Service Brakes · 116,000 mi“while driving approximately 25 mph and applying pressure to the brake pedal it became difficult to engage the brakes and almost rear ended a stopped vehicle. the brakes where no longer functioning properly after that. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where i was told vacuum brake pump, the lock ring seal, and the brake booster nee…”
2016-11-08 · Air Bags“tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 745li. the contact stated that the air bag indicator remained illuminated. the dealer was notified of the failure. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified. the failure mileage was not available.…”
2016-07-12 · Air Bags · 202,082 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 745li. after the vehicle was serviced, the air bag warning light illuminated continuously. in addition, the tension seat belt warning light illuminated. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 202,082. …”
2016-02-29 · Vehicle Speed Control · 💥 crash“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 …”
2015-12-10 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 70,000 mi“bought 2003 745li new. many problems from the start and often in for service. driver side window motor quit working a year ago. learned this is common with other blogs and bmw owners. current miles are only 70,000. over the past year the engine has run extremely rough even having to stop the car because of it. occasionally has been difficult …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.