Most common 2004 BMW 745i problems
Share of the 24 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 745i complaints by model year
Best 745i years: 2005, 2004. Years to avoid: 2002, 2003. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2004 BMW 745i:
Vehicle Rollaway
In a letter dated October 16, 2012, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-502 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving the possibility of unattended vehicle rollaway in MY 2005 through 2008 BMW 7-Series (approximately 45,000) vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access Option.The Comfort Access option allows the driver to start and stop the engine (by…
What 2004 BMW 745i owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
The electric parking gear shift slipped out of park on it own. When I stepped out of the car and the gear was placed in P park position, I got out the car was completely in park and not moving, I went to open my garage and planned to come back and drive car in garage. The car automatically with no one driving slipped into another gear on its own, I looked up as I was opening garage the car was driving towards me and pinned me in between the garage and car. I was stuck and screaming for help I almost lost my life a neighbor ran over and put it in reverse and saved my life. I was car flighted to trauma unit with fractured hips and pelvic area. I was almost killed in this accident.
Loss of acceleration while driving the car. Happens when you accelerate quickly specially while changing the lane. When this happens, the instrument panel goes dark, then I need to pull over shut the car and restart. When the mechanic diagnosed it, based on the DTC code, he first recommended changing the battery, which I did. The problem remained the same, and based on the DTC code changed the alternator. And the problem is still there. BMW refuses to pay for the repair, they say that this can happen due to the age of the car. I don't expect that a BMW transmission should go bad under 73K miles, even if the car is 10+ years old. The car has never been driven in snow/ice, stays in garage from oct - April. It's unfortunate that BMW refuses to assist with. Have been reading various forums that a lot of people having this issue when the transmission failsafe message comes. …
Electrical system
The electric parking gear shift slipped out of park on it own. When I stepped out of the car and the gear was placed in P park position, I got out the car was completely in park and not moving, I went to open my garage and planned to come back and drive car in garage. The car automatically with no one driving slipped into another gear on its own, I looked up as I was opening garage the car was driving towards me and pinned me in between the garage and car. I was stuck and screaming for help I almost lost my life a neighbor ran over and put it in reverse and saved my life. I was car flighted to trauma unit with fractured hips and pelvic area. I was almost killed in this accident.
BMW 745i 2004 ..error code for headlights appear on dash..I went and replace all light bulbs then noticed all the wiring in the headlight unit are bridle and broken down causing shortages and electrical problems...very dangerous if driving can actually cause a fire
Engine & cooling
BMW 745i 2004 ..error code for headlights appear on dash..I went and replace all light bulbs then noticed all the wiring in the headlight unit are bridle and broken down causing shortages and electrical problems...very dangerous if driving can actually cause a fire
I have a 2004 BMW 745i, I noticed a lot of smoke coming from tail pipe when the car is idling/driving. I took it in for a diagnostic at a replicable repair shop, and I was told the valve guide seal's where worn and needed replacement. The problem is that the valve guide seals becomes hard over time and doesn't provide a proper seal for the valve stem's. This allows oil to pass through the valve stem seals and enter the combustion chamber and the exhaust.( not only does this cause pollution) it damages the cat converter therefore you can not pass a smog test. This is a well known issue by BMW, BMW repair shops, and certified mechanic across the united states. I contacted BMW corporate office regarding the problem, I was then contacted back by [redacted] with BMW executive customer care. …
2004 BMW 745i engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 24 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 BMW 745i a good car?
Based on 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 745i rates average: 32% fewer complaints than a typical year of the 745i at the same age. It is one of the best 745i years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 BMW 745i?
The transmission & drivetrain — 11 complaints, 46% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the electrical system (9) and engine & cooling (7).
How many recalls does the 2004 BMW 745i have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2004 BMW 745i. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW 745i?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005 and 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2002 and 2003. See the full BMW 745i years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 BMW 745i problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 84,000 miles; 21% 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.