NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 BMW 745I Recalls & Complaints

The 2005 BMW 745I has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 16 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 BMW 745I. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2005 BMW 745I owner complaints

Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 BMW 745I, describing incidents dated July 1, 2008 to May 10, 2019.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 4 complaints
Air Bags 3 complaints
Latches/Locks/Linkages 3 complaints
Engine 2 complaints
Service Brakes 2 complaints
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 1 complaint

Of the 16 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash; across all 16 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11209377 · Filed May 22, 2019
DRIVING FROM WORK AN MY CAR JUST STARTED LOSING POWER I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AN BATTERY AN THE CAR DID THE SAME THING.
ODI #11048100 · Filed November 22, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V328000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. WHILE…
ODI #11005823 · Filed July 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED IN THE REAR DOORS WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS IN THE REAR SEAT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES…

Read all 16 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2005 BMW 745I in 4 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA12-002: Vehicle Rollaway
Closed January 24, 2013
- Recall 12V-502
Preliminary Evaluation PE11-025: Vehicle Rollaway
Closed April 23, 2012
Engineering Analysis EA08-001: BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
Closed December 31, 2008
- Recall 08V-384
Preliminary Evaluation PE07-045: BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
Closed January 4, 2008

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Doors May Not Fully Latch

NHTSA #17V328000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages — Doors — Latch · NHTSA notice

Reported May 18, 2017 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 45,484 vehicles

Repair completion: 32.8% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified February 8, 2018 · Vehicles built August 23, 2004 – July 24, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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 [email protected].

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Keyless Ignition System Vehicle Rollaway

NHTSA #12V502000 · Electrical System — Ignition — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported October 17, 2012 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 45,500 vehicles

Owners notified March 20, 2013 · Vehicles built August 23, 2004 – July 24, 2008 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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 [email protected].

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Doors May Not Fully Latch

NHTSA #12V504000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages — Doors — Latch · NHTSA notice

Reported October 17, 2012 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 7,485 vehicles

Owners notified December 12, 2012 · Vehicles built August 23, 2004 – September 3, 2007 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Manufacturer 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 [email protected].

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2005 BMW 745I. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

16 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 BMW 745I.

Electrical System; Unknown or Other

ODI #11209377

Incident: May 10, 2019 · Filed: May 22, 2019

DRIVING FROM WORK AN MY CAR JUST STARTED LOSING POWER I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AN BATTERY AN THE CAR DID THE SAME THING.

Latches/Locks/Linkages

ODI #11048100

Incident: July 1, 2017 · Filed: November 22, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V328000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR SUDDENLY UNLOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCK THE DOOR A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BMW OF MOUNTAIN VIEW (150 E EL CAMINO REAL, MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA 94040; 650-200-0149). THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER FOR APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MATTER HAD NOT BEEN SETTLED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Latches/Locks/Linkages

ODI #11005823

Incident: July 1, 2008 · Filed: July 17, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED IN THE REAR DOORS WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS IN THE REAR SEAT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V328000(LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE STERLING BMW DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 172,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Engine

ODI #10995046

Incident: May 23, 2017 · Filed: June 14, 2017

THE COOLANT SYSTEMS FAILED .AND WITH RESEARCH I WAS ABLE TO DISCOVER A STEADY PROBLEM FOR THESE MODELS.

Electrical System

ODI #10713872

Incident: April 28, 2015 · Filed: April 30, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V504000 (LATCHES, LOCKS AND LINKAGES); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED AND WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 7/10/15*CN UPDATED 10/11/2017*CN

Structure; Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

ODI #10706556

Incident: April 19, 2015 · Filed: April 19, 2015

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE DRIVER DOOR EJECTED OPEN CAUSING ME TO STOP INSTANTLY TO WHERE THE DOOR NEEDED TO BE HELD IN ORDER FOR ME TO MAKE IT TO A SAFE DESTINATION SO UNREAL I WAS SCARED TO DEATH IT DOESNT CLOSE AT ALL IN ORDER TO DRIVE NOW. *TR

Electrical System; Service Brakes

ODI #10532655

Incident: June 20, 2013 · Filed: July 30, 2013

I HAVE BEEN HAVING SEVERAL ELECTRICAL ISSUES ON MY 2005 745I THE ISSUES I AM HAVING ARE ALL ELECTRICAL AND BRAKES, DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW NOT INITIATED, LICENSE PLATE LAMP NOT INITIATED, TRUNK BUTTON NOT WORKING ON DASH PANEL OR KEY FOB OR BUTTON ON TRUNK LID, PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTIONING AND CAUSED THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS TO WARP WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE COME ON SUDDENLY WHILE I WAS MOVING FROM A SPOT I WAS PARKED AT, *TR

Air Bags

ODI #10521693

Incident: June 21, 2013 · Filed: June 25, 2013

MY CAR WAS DUE FOR STATE INSPECTION AND I TOOK IT INTO RICHMOND BMW IN MIDLOTHIAN VA. THE TECHNICIAN CALLED AND SAID THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AND THE SENSOR IS BAD. THERE IS AN AIRBAG RECALL FOR THE OTHER BMW SERIES BUT IT DIDN'T INCLUDE THE SEVEN SERIES. THERE ARE OTHER 7 SERIES OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING. I READ THIS ON THE BMW FORUMS AND IT IS A LOT OF BMW OWNERS SPENDING MONEY FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AS WELL. CAN YOU PLEASE CONSIDER OUR CARS AS WELL. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10519306

Incident: May 15, 2013 · Filed: June 11, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED WITH THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

Suspension

ODI #10426514

Incident: September 26, 2009 · Filed: September 20, 2011

THERE IS A RECALL ON THE REAR SUSPENSION CAUSING THE BUSHINGS TO GO OUT. MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY CARE IS THERE A WAY THAT YOU CAN EMAIL ME A LETTER INCLUDING MY VIN NUMBER. I THINK IT SHOULD BE ALL OF THEM. IT IS CAMPAIGN NUMBER 06V27000. *TR

Other BMW 745I model years

Check your 2005 BMW 745I VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 745I at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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