2004 Bmw 745li problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (5) · Air Bags (5) · Power Train:automatic Transmission (4)
🧭 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
30 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.
Electrical System 2024-01-11 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle ã¢ââdischarged batteryã¢ââ complaints.
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 Adaptive/Mobility 2020-10-01 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
discharged battery energy diagnosis must be performed: the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to
Showing the 6 most recent of 24 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-05-15 · Air Bags · 198,000 mi“the contact owns a 2004 bmw 745li. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the failure was related to nhtsa campaign number: 04v379000 (seats) however, the vin was not included in the recall. the vehicl…”
2018-05-30 · Wheels · 160,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw 745li. while driving unknown speeds, the vehicle hesitated and the check engine indicator illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was diagnosed that oil was leaking onto the manifold. also, the wheels and axle needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the vehicle was taken to b…”
2016-06-01 · Engine · 95,000 mi“engine valve guide seals made of improper material that fails causing oil leakage into exhaust, fouling of catalytic converter, failure to pass inspection and pollution. the valve guide seals are not compatible with high engine temperatures which causes the seals to fail at 80,000 to 120,000 miles. my seals failed at approximately 95,000 mi…”
2016-06-01 · Engine · 104,000 mi“coolant transfer pipe seal is made of improper material that is not compatble with high engine temperatures. seal fails causing loss of engine coolant. seal fails at 40,000 to 110,000 miles. repair is approximately $6,000 because engine must be taken apart to replace the seal. my seal failed at 104,000 miles. loss of power steering and vehi…”
2016-04-26 · Wheels · 121,000 mi · 💥 crash“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.…”
2015-08-11 · Seats · 140,000 mi“the vehicle air bag system does not work due to a defective passenger seat occupancy sensor. it is a documented issue with bmw and they are denying coverage for my particular vin…”
2014-12-30 · Air Bags · 90,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw 745li. the contact stated that the driver side air bag warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the driver side seat mat needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 90,000. …”
2014-10-09 · Air Bags“tl* the contact owns a bmw 745 li. the contact stated that the driver side air bag warning light illuminated. the failure occurred on numerous occasions. the vehicle was taken to a dealer. the technician diagnosed that the air bag warning light needed to be reset. the vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. the manufacturer was not notified…”
2014-04-17 · Engine · 130,000 mi · 🔥 fire“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 a…”
2014-04-08 · Engine · 73,245 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw 745li. the contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the engine stalled. the contact mentioned that there were no warning lights illuminated. the vehicle restarted on the first attempt and resumed normally. the failure recurred on seven separate occasions. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where the fai…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.