Most common 2003 BMW 745li problems
Share of the 50 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 745li complaints by model year
Best 745li years: 2005, 2002. Years to avoid: 2003. Compare all years →
2003 BMW 745li recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling
On certain passenger vehicles, the engine oil filter drain plug May be insufficiently tightened. This could lead to loosening of the plug causing an initial oil spray and a subsequent oil leak.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the torque of the oil filter drain plug and, if necessary, retighten the drain plug with the correctly specified torque. Owner notification began on September 12, 2003.
Engine and engine cooling
On certain passenger vehicles, due to a software error, a desynchronization of the valvetronic motors for engine banks I and ii May occur. If this occurs, the engine could stall.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the digital engine management control unit. Owner notification began July 8, 2003. Owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2003 BMW 745li:
Vehicle Rollaway
In response to the Office of Defects Investigation's (ODI) Information Request (IR) for PE11-025, BMW provided ODI with 1 complaint and 46 field reports relating to either incidents of unattended vehicle rollaway or vehicle movement after the driver expected the vehicle gearshift to automatically shift to park. ODI's analysis of the data provided by BMW identified 14 crashes and 5 alleged injuries.
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 2003 BMW 745li owners say
Air bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 745li. While attempting to stop the vehicle with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle independently accelerated. As a result, the contact crashed into the driver side of another vehicle and then into a building. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained leg, back, and neck injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the crash scene to a dealer who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 745li. After placing the vehicle in park, the contact noticed that the gear shifted independently into neutral. The contact called BMW of sterling located in sterling, virginia and was informed that he had to pay for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the passenger air bag malfunction warning indicator illuminated continuously. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 181,000.
Brakes
The contact owns a 2003 BMW 745LI. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the brake fluid warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with rotors, brake wear sensors, and brake failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 174,500.
While driving approximately 25 MPH and applying pressure to the brake pedal it became difficult to engage the brakes and almost rear ended a stopped vehicle. The brakes where no longer functioning properly after that. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where I was told vacuum brake pump, the lock ring seal, and the brake booster needed to be replaced. After some research I found out that there was a recall for my vehicle. I contacted the local BMW dealer and was told that the recall was closed for my vehicle and I would have to pay out of pocket expense to repair.the approximate failure mileage was 116,000.
Transmission & drivetrain
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 BMW 745li. After placing the vehicle in park, the contact noticed that the gear shifted independently into neutral. The contact called BMW of sterling located in sterling, virginia and was informed that he had to pay for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the passenger air bag malfunction warning indicator illuminated continuously. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 181,000.
After stopping my 2003 745li BMW on Tuesday, December 14, 2010, (car was in park), I put gear selector into drive and vehicle started going into reverse causing me to almost hit vehicle behind me in the school zone. I turned off vehicle and started again thinking it was just a computer glitch, the car again proceeded to go backwards while in park and drive. After restarting vehicle the third time, the drive function finally worked. The following day I was able to drive the vehicle to a BMW service center. At the center the vehicle again started to act up and multiple transmission warnings and messages displayed. The vehicle only has approximately 63,000 miles. I feel that owners of the 2002 and 2003 745li should be informed of this safety issue as I have located several incidences on the internet of this same issue. …
2003 BMW 745li 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 2003 BMW 745li a good car?
Based on 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 745li rates use caution: 1.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the 745li at the same age. It is one of the 745li years we suggest avoiding. 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 2003 BMW 745li?
The air bags — 11 complaints, 22% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the brakes (10) and transmission & drivetrain (8).
How many recalls does the 2003 BMW 745li have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2003 BMW 745li, the most recent from August 26, 2003 (engine and engine cooling). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW 745li?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005 and 2002. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2003. See the full BMW 745li years comparison.
At what mileage do 2003 BMW 745li problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 100,000 miles; 22% 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.