NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 BMW 745LI Recalls & Complaints

The 2005 BMW 745LI has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 25 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 2005 BMW 745LI. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2005 BMW 745LI owner complaints

Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 BMW 745LI, describing incidents dated October 20, 2005 to April 10, 2018.

Most-cited components

  • Air Bags 5 complaints
  • Power Train 5 complaints
  • Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 4 complaints
  • Engine and Engine Cooling 4 complaints
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages 4 complaints
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic 4 complaints

Of the 25 complaints on file, 5 report a crash; across all 25 complaints, owners report 8 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11129341 · Filed

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BMW OF RIVERSIDE (3060 ADAMS ST, RIVERSIDE, CA 92504, 1 (951) 373-5000) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V328000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). SHORTLY AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND…

  • ODI #11022822 · Filed

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT…

  • ODI #10971173 · Filed

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. AFTER INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD IMMEDIATELY SWITCH TO THE PARK OR NEUTRAL POSITION. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAS MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER…

Read all 25 complaints

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 October 21, 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

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 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.

Other BMW 745LI model years

Check your 2005 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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