Most common 2004 BMW 745li problems
Share of the 33 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 →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2004 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 2004 BMW 745li owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 BMW 745li. While driving unknown speeds, the vehicle hesitated and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was diagnosed that oil was leaking onto the manifold. Also, the wheels and axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to BMW of stratham (71 portsmouth avenue, stratham, nh 03885, [phone]), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer refused to work on the vehicle and advised the contact to purchase an aftermarket warranty. The contact declined the recommendation. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Transmission has been failing on my 2004 754li the first year I purchased it. I have sent to the vist BMW in cypress creek florida over 20 times it stayed in the their hands for weeks on end and always told me there is nothing wrong with it. For years it was a constant chore to drive 30 miles to their facility and for them to inspect my complaint to simply to tell me that there is nothing wrong with it. Low and behold my warranty expired and when I went there again, they said " well it seems like your transmission is slipping and would need extensive repairs". Immediately, I complained and began to request supervisors. They once again contacted the BMW north America supervisor who said they will not warranty this complaint regardless of the documented history. …
Air bags
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 745LI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V379000 (Seats) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 198,000.
On the dash board the loud warning light comes on: driver restraint system fault and passenger restraint system fault. I know that several 2002-2008 BMW 7-series got recalled regarding the same issue and manufacture offered 10 year warranty from in service date regarding this issue. Mine is a 2004 745li and should be one of the recalled one. Called the manufacture and they sad the VIN number that my car has never have been recalled with this problem. The problem is on and I think the manufacture should take care of it. Is a shame to spend so much money for this vehicles and they can't offer a safe drive. Thanks
Engine & cooling
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 BMW 745li. The contact stated that there had been an extensive oil leak from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer several times but the failure was not able to be duplicated or diagnosed. The contact also described a burning metal and oil odor in addition to a while cloud of smoke. The alternator and battery were repaired twice by an independent mechanic however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to a different repair facility where the contact was advised that the alternator, alternator seal gasket, valve and seals needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure multiple times. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. ..updated 05/20/14 updated 06/02/2014
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 BMW 745li. While driving unknown speeds, the vehicle hesitated and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was diagnosed that oil was leaking onto the manifold. Also, the wheels and axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to BMW of stratham (71 portsmouth avenue, stratham, nh 03885, [phone]), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer refused to work on the vehicle and advised the contact to purchase an aftermarket warranty. The contact declined the recommendation. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 160,000.
2004 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 2004 BMW 745li a good car?
Based on 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 745li rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the 745li at the same age. 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 745li?
The transmission & drivetrain — 11 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the air bags (9) and engine & cooling (7).
How many recalls does the 2004 BMW 745li have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2004 BMW 745li. You can still confirm with your VIN using our 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 2004 BMW 745li problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 96,000 miles; 7% 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.