NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 BMW 745LI Recalls & Complaints

The 2002 BMW 745LI has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 36 owner complaints on file as of October 21, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 BMW 745LI. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2002 BMW 745LI owner complaints

Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 BMW 745LI, describing incidents dated June 1, 2002 to April 14, 2020.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 10 complaints
Electrical System 10 complaints
Power Train 8 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline 5 complaints
Engine and Engine Cooling 4 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 3 complaints

Of the 36 complaints on file, 3 report a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11326049 · Filed May 26, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SBSR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MODULE WAS…
ODI #11243268 · Filed August 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP DID NOT CIRCULATE COOLANT TO THE MOTOR. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V150000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NEVER INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE…
ODI #11203845 · Filed April 26, 2019
CAR STALLED AND ALL THE LIGHTS ARE FLASHING ON THE DASH... WILL NOT START BACK UP... ALMOST HAD A SERIOUS WRECK AT 75MPH CAR JUST WENT OFF...HAD NO STEERING AND BARLEY MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD... DAMAGED THE FRONT END AFTER HITTING THE CURB TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY TO SAFETY... HAD IT…

Read all 36 complaints

BMW/ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL UNIT

NHTSA #03V240000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported July 1, 2003 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 5,470 vehicles

Owners notified July 8, 2003 · Vehicles built October 24, 2001 – April 9, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IN THOSE CASES, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. DEPENDING ON THE LEVEL OF ENGINE ROUGHNESS, OR STALLING, AS WELL AS TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AND THE DRIVER'S REACTIONS, THIS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BMW/FUEL PUMP

NHTSA #02V150000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery · NHTSA notice

Reported June 3, 2002 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 8,412 vehicles

Owners notified June 28, 2002 · Vehicles built October 23, 2001 – May 3, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP RUNS AT A ROTATIONAL SPEED THAT COULD RESULT IN REDUCED LUBRICATION OF ITS INTERNAL COMPONENTS. OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, WEAR-INDUCED INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE FUEL PUMP COULD RESULT IN INSUFFICIENT FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE WHEN THE FUEL TANK CONTAINS ONE-THIRD OR LESS OF ITS MAXIMUM FUEL CAPACITY.

Safety consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE ENGINE COULD STALL AND NOT BE RESTARTED UNTIL MORE FUEL WAS ADDED TO THE FUEL TANK. THIS COULD OCCUR EVEN THOUGH THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT FUEL STILL REMAINED IN THE TANK.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL SYSTEM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-332-4269.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2002 BMW 745LI. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

36 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 BMW 745LI.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #11326049

Incident: April 14, 2020 · Filed: May 26, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SBSR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MODULE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V150000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. AN UNNAMED DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND VERIFIED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11243268

Incident: July 1, 2018 · Filed: August 12, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP DID NOT CIRCULATE COOLANT TO THE MOTOR. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V150000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NEVER INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND CAUSED THE MOTOR TO MISFIRE. ONCE THE VEHICLE MISFIRED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V240000 (ENGINE, ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

Electrical System; Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Engine

ODI #11203845

Crash

Incident: July 20, 2018 · Filed: April 26, 2019

CAR STALLED AND ALL THE LIGHTS ARE FLASHING ON THE DASH... WILL NOT START BACK UP... ALMOST HAD A SERIOUS WRECK AT 75MPH CAR JUST WENT OFF...HAD NO STEERING AND BARLEY MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD... DAMAGED THE FRONT END AFTER HITTING THE CURB TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY TO SAFETY... HAD IT TOWED HOME THEN TO A BMW DEALER WHO TOLD ME MY CASS WENT OUT AND THE COMPUTER WAS NOT RESPONDING AND COULD BE MANY THINGS TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ME OVER $4K TO FIX THE CAR... I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME AND IT SITS IN MY BACK YARD NOW AND HAS BEEN SITTING THERE FOR ALMOST A YEAR... AND I AM SO TIRED OF ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR... I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING MYSELF TO FIX IT.. AND REALLY DON'T HAVE $4K TO GIVE TO A DEALER TO FIX IT... I WISH BMW WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS LIKE TAKE THE CAR BACK AND PAY ME FOR ALL THE MONEY I HAVE PUT IN THIS CAR... ITS A BEAUTIFUL CAR BUT HAS MANY PROBLEMS.. MANY MORE THAN I CAN AFFORD

Electrical System; Air Bags; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11130632

Incident: May 1, 2018 · Filed: September 21, 2018

I CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA JUST RECENTLY REGARDING THE AIRBAG SENSOR PROBLEM SINCE WE KEEP SPENDING MONEY ON THIS CAR SINCE THE FIRST DAY WE GOT IT NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE THEM TO PURCHASED THIS CAR BACK FROM ME SINCE ALL I HAD IS MONEY LOSSES AND AGGRAVATION WITH THIS VEHICLE.

Electrical System; Air Bags; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11097258

Incident: March 6, 2018 · Filed: May 22, 2018

WE HAVE BEING HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SAFETY ISSUES OF THIS CAR, SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL BE FINE AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT DIES COMPLETLY LEAVING YOU STRANDED, THE CAR WILL CRANK OVER AND WONT START. WE HAVE TAKING TO THE SHOP AND WE HAVE EMAILS FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE AND THEY ADVICE THE REPAIR SHOP TO REPLACE BATTERY, FUEL PUMP, AND SOME MODULATORS AND THE PROBLEM STILL NOT FIX. THIS CAR IS BEING A MONEY PIT. THE CAR WAS TOWED AGAIN TO THE BMW SERVICE DEALERSHIP TO GET DIAGNOSED AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO IN THIS BMW BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES, AIRBAG LIGHT WILL COME ON AS WELL. I USED TO OWN A MERCEDES BENZ E430 AND I NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT. MY HUSBAND LIKES BMW'S, BUT THERE IS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS ONE AFTER ANOTHER VERY FRUSTRATING. MAYBE WE GOT A LEMON CAR ALL ALONE AND WE HAVE BEING PAYING THE PRICE EVER SINCE.

Air Bags; Seat Belts

ODI #10888708

Incident: July 1, 2016 · Filed: July 26, 2016

THE SEAT BELTS IN THE CAR HAS NOT TIGHTENING TENSION. THE RED LIGHTS ARE ON INDICATING THAT, FAULT IN PASS. - RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. FASTEN AND CONTINUE TO WEAR BELTS.

Electrical System

ODI #10861168

Incident: January 4, 2016 · Filed: April 25, 2016

I HAVE REPLACED MY ANTENATOR TWICE NOW, WHEN I REPLACED IT THE FIRST TIME MY GENERATOR LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND OFF SO I REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND IT WAS STILL DOING IT, SO I REPLACED IT THE 2ND TIME AND NOW IT DOES NOT LIGHT UP THE GENERATOR LIGHT BUT EVERY OTHER LIGHT COMES ON, LOOKS LIKE A XMAS TREE ON MY DASH...ALSO MY HOOD IS LOCKED AND MY HOOD LIGHT POPS ON OFTEN.I HAD A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED AND REGISTERED AND STILL ACTS UP.EVERY NOW AND AGAIN IN THE MORNINGS MY CAR WONT START HAVE TO JUMP START IT..JUS DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO BMW A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM, SYSTEM NOT CHARGING CORRECTLY...PLEASE HELP

Air Bags; Seat Belts

ODI #10807277

Incident: November 19, 2015 · Filed: November 28, 2015

I HAVE READ THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ON SOME MODEL OF THE BMW. AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY HAVEN'T THE NHTSA HAVEN'T PUT OUT A BULLETIN ON THE BMW 745LI ABOUT THE SEATS BLETS AND THE AIRBAGS. WHEN THERE ARE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT WE ARE DRIVING A VERY UNSAFE CAR. NOW ON MY VEHICLE THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACK. AND I AM UN ABLE TO CARRY ANYONE IN THE FRONT SEAT. ON THE DRIVER SIDE I HAD THAT BROBLEM TO BUT THE SEAT BELT IS ABLE TO FASTEN. THIS HAPPEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING.

Air Bags; Seat Belts; Service Brakes

ODI #10795344

Incident: July 23, 2015 · Filed: November 23, 2015

THE AIRBAG AND SEATBELT TENSIONER WAS RECALLED FOR SAME MANUFACTURER FOR CARS FROM 2004 AND UP. THE 2002 AND 2003 MODEL HAD THE SAME ISSUE BUT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE LIGHT FOR THE SEATBELT TENSIONER AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG CAME ON. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN SINCE AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT TIGHTEN IN AN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.

Air Bags

ODI #10659468

Incident: May 15, 2013 · Filed: November 19, 2014

AIRBAG AND SEATBELT RESTRAINT FAULT LIGHT IS ON. *TR

Other BMW 745LI model years

Check your 2002 BMW 745LI VIN

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

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