Most common 2005 BMW 545i problems
Share of the 78 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 545i complaints by model year
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2005 BMW 545i:
BMW airbag light illumination
In certain my 2005 through my 2006 BMW vehicles, the occupant classification system (ocs) for the passenger frontal airbag May malfunction and render the passenger airbag inoperative.in June 2006, BMW issued a technical service bulletin (si b 72 02 06) regarding the illumination of the airbag warning light and the passenger airbag status lamp.illumination of these lights warn that an open electrical circuit May be…
BMW airbag light illumination
BMW is conducting a safety recall campaign on approximately 200,000 my04 through my06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05 to correct the front passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat. The specific vehicles included in the recall aremy04- 06/ 5-series with standard and sport seats, my04-06/ x3-series and my06/ 3-series with sport seats.
What 2005 BMW 545i owners say
Air bags all 34 →
Driving approximately 50 MPH an accident occurred where there was oil in road. My car lost control and veered into a guard rail on the highway. My car was subsequently totaled and none of my air bags deployed in the crash.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 BMW 545i. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the passenger side air bag indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and replaced the sensor, but the failure recurred after two weeks. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic who informed the contact about an air bag recall and referred the contact to NHTSA. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was not remedied. The recall details were not provided. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.
Transmission & drivetrain
My BMW 545i 2005 has experienced problems with mechatronics for some time. One day I was driving home and my car has down shifted from high 4th gear to 2nd and caused me to drive into a ditch. Luckily I was wearing a seat belt but still experienced neck injuries from hitting the ditch. This problem needs a recall before some one gets killed. BMW can no longer cover this up and this issue needs to be investigated. Many forms on the internet have addressed the same problem. This is no longer a issue, its a life safety problem.
I own a 2005 545i. I was pulling into the gas station to refuel. I began to hit the brake the car started to jerk back and forth and then it accelerated on its own. I began to pump the brake and the car stop short of the Mini mart thank god! Afterwards a gear indicator appeared and the car went into safe mode and shut off. I couldn't start the car and I tried for thirty minutes and only the gear indicator would come on. I then called a tow truck company after thirty minutes, right before the tow truck arrived the car started. I took the car to BMW of roxbury and I was told that since my dsc light was on that needed to be repair to alleviate the problem. After challenging them, how can a add on feature (to increase stabilization and traction) that I never used when it was working cause the car to drive by itself. …
Electrical system
At approxamitately 1:20pm on July 13, after being parked for a little over an hour I was told that my car was burning. 911 was called immediately and the owner of the establishment went outside and called to the firemen at the station on the other side of the street. Their response was immediate. Response was so quick that damage was limited to the right rear. Which seems that the fire started in the area directly foreward and above the battery
The wiring inside of the headlights has dried up and fallen off, leaving bare electrical wire. The resulting was both of the headlights became non operational at night. To replace the headlights in the car with all the factory features is about 3200.00 for parts alone. I know of others who have had this happen, and everyone i know who owns one, has the same exact problem. The vehicle in question barely has 125,000 miles on it. I feel the manufacturer should repair these vehicles at no cost to the owners.
2005 BMW 545i engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 24 / 19 |
| 4.4L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 15 / 23 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 BMW 545i a good car?
There isn't enough complaint history for the 545i to compare model years reliably. So far owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 BMW 545i?
The air bags — 34 complaints, 44% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (15) and electrical system (14).
How many recalls does the 2005 BMW 545i have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2005 BMW 545i. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
At what mileage do 2005 BMW 545i problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 86,000 miles; 14% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.