2005 Bmw 745LI: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10140388 · 2005-10-20 (October 20, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT'S FINGER WAS CAUGHT IN THE AUTOMATIC DOOR, CAUSING INJURY TO HER FINGER. THIS WAS THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC DOOR. THE DEALER HAS NOT CURRENTLY BEEN CONTACTED. SHE FELT THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY DEFECT BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY TO ONE OF HER CHILDREN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10140388 at NHTSA ↗
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 10312152 · 2010-02-19 (February 19, 2010)
DYNAMIS DRIVE INACTIVE LIGHT COMES ON UNTIL THE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED BUT IT WON'T STORE THE CODE. BMW SAID THAT THIS CAN'T HAPPEN SO WHEN IT HAPPENED I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND HE SAW IT WAS ON BUT AS SOON AS HE SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT THE LIGHT WAS OFF AND THE CODE GONE. THE CAR ACTS LIKE A BIG BOAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND CAN CAUSE YOU TO LOSE CONTROL BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT MOVES SIDE TO SIDE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10312152 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 10327555 · 2010-04-26 (April 26, 2010)
I STARTED MY CAR UP AT APPROX. 12:30AM SAT. 4/24/2010 A WARNING LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD INDICATING THAT MY SEAT BELT TENSIONER & PASSENGER AIR BAG IS NOT WORKING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100,060 miles reported. Look up ODI 10327555 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10336725 · 2010-06-16 (June 16, 2010)
TRANSMISSION SLAMS FROM SECOND TO FIRST GEAR, FEELS LIKE A BUMP FROM ANOTHER CAR IN THE BACK. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH ISSUE STILL THEIR DEALERSHIP SAID CANT FIND PROBLEM AND NOTHING IS WRONG. PROBLEM STILL HAPPENING FACTORY WARRANTY NOW UNAVAILABLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10336725 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 ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
12V502000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 2012-10-17 (October 17, 2012)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗12V504000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Reported: 2012-10-17 (October 17, 2012)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V328000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Reported: 2017-05-18 (May 18, 2017)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗