2005 Bmw 745LI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
79,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 25 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 20.0% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 16.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 16.0% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 12.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 2 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 2 |
Air Bags: 5; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Seat Belts: 3; Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2005: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 5; 2011: 5; 2012: 3; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10291429 · 2009-11-09 (November 9, 2009)
MY BMW IS STILL DEAD AS A DOOR KNOB SITTING WHERE IT WAS LAST SITTING AFTER I HAD GOTTEN IT FROM THE BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT LAST GOING ON ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. SOME OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD THAT ARE STILL FLASHING ON AND OFF BEFORE AND AFTER THE NEW BATTERIES WERE INSTALLED 1.TRANSMISSION FAILSAFE DRIVE MODERATELY 2.DYNAMIC DRIVE INACTIVE 3.ENGINE OVERHEATING LIGHT WAS GOING ON AND OFF CONTINUOUSLY. 4.THE RECHARGE BATTERY LIGHT WAS STILL FLASHING ON AND OFF. NOTE: NOW THE ENGINE OVERHEATING LIGHT IS GOING ON AND OFF CON…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10291429 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10291502 · 2009-11-09 (November 9, 2009)
MY BMW IS STILL DEAD AS A DOOR KNOB SITTING WHERE IT WAS LAST SITTING AFTER I HAD GOTTEN IT FROM THE BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT LAST GOING ON ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. SOME OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD THAT ARE STILL FLASHING ON AND OFF BEFORE AND AFTER THE NEW BATTERIES WERE INSTALLED 1. TRANSMISSION FAILSAFE DRIVE MODERATELY 2. DYNAMIC DRIVE INACTIVE 3. ENGINE OVERHEATING LIGHT WAS GOING ON AND OFF CONTINUOUSLY. 4. THE RECHARGE BATTERY LIGHT WAS STILL FLASHING ON AND OFF. NOTE: NOW THE ENGINE OVERHEATING LIGHT IS GOING ON AND OFF CONTINUOUSLY, AND TH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10291502 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10327106 · 2010-04-23 (April 23, 2010)
I PURCHASE BMW 2005 745LI ABOUT 60 DAYS ..I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET WITH MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER .THE RED LIGHT I TRY TO STEP ON BRAKE WONT STOP ..I CALL TOWING TRUCK TO TOWN MY CAR TO DEAL ...MECHANIC TOLD ME THE BOOSTER BRAKE NOT WORKING ..I THINK THIS IS THE SAFETY ISSUE ..THE DEALER I CALL THE BMW CAR DEALER THEY SAID THEY NOT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS MATTER . I NEED HELP! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10327106 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10369916 · 2010-12-10 (December 10, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE REPAIRED FOR THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAL ON THE VACUUM PUMP WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER, AS THE RECALL STATED. HE WAS THEN INFORMED THAT REPAIRING THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL WOULD NOT REPAIR THE ACTUAL FAILURE AND ADDITIONAL REPAIRS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL WOULD BE NEEDED…
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10369916 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10622607 · 2014-08-15 (August 15, 2014)
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-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10622607 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10671474 · 2015-01-09 (January 9, 2015)
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 UNKN…
Owner-reported narrative. 141,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10671474 at NHTSA ↗