2002 BMW 745I Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 BMW 745I, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes1318.3%
- Airbags1115.5%
- Powertrain (other)912.7%
- Transmission811.3%
- Electrical811.3%
- Engine811.3%
- Fuel system34.2%
- Interior & seats34.2%
- Seat belts34.2%
- Driver assistance22.8%
- Other / unspecified11.4%
- Steering11.4%
- Body & structure11.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE HAS A RECALL FOR BRAKE VACUUM PUMP 10V-446. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. HE DID RESEARCH AND SAID THAT IT WAS A BMW RECALL. FINALLY TOOK VEHICLE INTO BMW (TUCSON) AND THE SAID THEY SAW NO OIL LEAK, THEREFORE MASTER CYLINDER WOULD NOT BE REPLACED. THEY WANT TO CHARGE $1,175 TO FIX IT. THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP AND MASTER CYLINDER WORK TOGETHER. BMW IS NOT FIXING THE REAL PROBLEM, THEY ARE EXPECTING ME TO FIX THE FLAWED BRAKE SYSTEM. THE HEAT OF THE ENGINE CAN BURN OIL OFF, SO JUST BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T SEE IT, DOESN'T MEAN IT WASN'T THERE AND CAUSED THE FAILURE OF THE MASTER CYLINDER DIAPHRAGM. WHEN THE PART CONNECTED THE RECALL AND IS FAULTY, THAT SHOULD BE COVERED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT BMW IS NOT FIXING AND ALLOWING VEHICLES ON THE ROAD WITH FAULTY BRAKES. THEY DESIGNED THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND BEING SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF A VEHICLE, THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. ALL BRAKING PARTS ARE ORIGINAL BMW PARTS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745I. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED WITH EXTREME FORCE IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR BAG LIGHT ON SEAT DRIVER WANT ADJUST PROPER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO CHECKED ALL CONNECTIONS TO THE AIR BAGS, SCANNED THE COMPUTER, AND THE LIGHT DIMMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER TWO WEEKS AND THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. A FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED WITH THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE INTERMITTENTLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
IN 2009 THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT FROM ANOTHER OWNER. AT THE TIME OF THIS PURCHASE, THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT AS A LEMON LAW BUYBACK BECAUSE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT IS ALWAYS ON. A FEW MONTHS AFTER BUYING THIS CAR, THE CAR STARTED THROWING A BLUE SMOKE OFF HE TAIL PIPE. EVERY TIME I STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT FOR A FULL 2 MINUTES AND LET THE CAR IDLE AND THEN WOULD ACCELERATE ON GREEN, THE CAR WOULD THROW BLUE SMOKE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEMS BUT THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE ENGINE AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND WAS CHARGE NEARLY $6000.00 DOLLARS FOR THIS REPAIR. 2) ON 11/09/13, WHILE HAVING REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING, STATING THAT THE OIL PAN AND GASKET WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS PRIVATELY REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,050 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 149,347. UPDATED 11/19/13 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY BMW 745I 2002 WITH "DRIVE BY WIRE" SIX GEAR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DEVELOPED A ROUGH SHIFT, "CLUNK" IN THE LOWER GEAR RANGES. IN THE LOWER GEARS, THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES DOWN SHIFTS UNEXPECTEDLY RESULTING IN A SUDDEN DROP IN SPEED. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF SOMEONE WAS FOLLOWING TO CLOSE BEHIND.*JB
WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE WILL COME OUT OF P (PARK MODE) AND FALL AWAY UNATTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO PARK AUTOMATICALLY BY PUSHING THE START/STOP BUTTON, AND AFTER LEAVING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS SEEN ROLLING ACROSS THE STREET AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL HITTING THE CURB ACROSS THE STREET. *TR
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY BMW 745I 2002 WITH "DRIVE BY WIRE" SIX GEAR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DEVELOPED A ROUGH SHIFT, "CLUNK" IN THE LOWER GEAR RANGES. IN THE LOWER GEARS, THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES DOWN SHIFTS UNEXPECTEDLY RESULTING IN A SUDDEN DROP IN SPEED. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF SOMEONE WAS FOLLOWING TO CLOSE BEHIND.*JB
SUBJECT: TRANSMISSION FAILSAFE ISSUE ON BMW 745 I'VE BEEN HAVING ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION FAILSAFE ERRORS ON MY VEHICLE FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. BMW OF MANHATTAN COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM TWICE WITHIN A 2 YEAR PERIOD. NO ONE WANTS TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BUT MY VEHICLE STALLS, LOSES GEARS AND DOESN'T START. THESE FAULTS OCCUR EVERY WEEK RIGHT NOW. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE ON THESE CARS AND BMW DOESN'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT! WHEN I HAD THE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING AND NOW THAT THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED THEY DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING EITHER. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND HAZARDOUS FOR DRIVING AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT BEFORE SOMEONE WILL GET SERIOUSLY HURT. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR MORE DETAILS IF NEEDED AT [XXX]. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM SOMEONE IN CASH. IT HAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPES. WHEN ITS SITTING AND IDLING FOR A WHILE IT SMOKES TERRIBLY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V240000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM FAILED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE AND ABOUT THREE HOURS LATER SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE GARAGE. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND DAMAGED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE GARAGE. FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE ,AND DETERMINED THAT FIRE CAME FROM THE BACK OF THE ENGINE. *AK CONSUMER EXPERIENCED OTHER FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE INCLUDING: FAILURE TO START, 3 RECALLS PERTAINING TO FUEL SYSTEM AND COMPUTER, COMPUTER CRASHED AND ACCESSORIES DIDN'T OPERATE, AND HEAD REST MOVED ON IT'S OWN. *PH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR BAG LIGHT ON SEAT DRIVER WANT ADJUST PROPER
FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
ALL OF A SUDDEN, I GOT INTO MY 745I 2002,"FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR SAFETY BELT DESPITE FAULT." THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECTIVE MATERIALS FROM BMW MANUFACTURING PLANT.
STARTED MY 745I UP FOR A QUICK TRIP TO THE STORE AND RECEIVED A RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE LIGHT. AFTER SOME RESEARCH IT SEEMS THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE 7 SERIES FOR SOME TIME AND BMW HAS EVEN ISSUED A RECALL WITH A 10 YEAR RESTRICTION. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY 2002 IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL SINCE BMW IS AWARE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM. PRESENTLY MY CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THE COST TO REPAIR BY DEALER IS EXTREMELY HIGH. BMW NEEDS TO OWN UP TO ALL MODELS WITH THIS PROBLEM SINCE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR BAG LIGHT ON SEAT DRIVER WANT ADJUST PROPER
ON MANY OCCASIONS AS I APPROACH A STOP RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN OR STOP IN TRAFFIC THE CAR JERKS FORWARD AS IF I PUSHED DOWN ON THE GAS EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR COULD ACTUALLY HIT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IF MY FOOT WERE NOT ON THE BRAKE. ONCE I START MOVING FORWARD AT ABOUT 35-40 MPH THE CAR STARTS TO ALMOST ACT LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO STALL UNTIL I EITHER SPEED UP OR SLOW DOWN WHICH IS A CONCERN THAT IT MAY STALL OUT IN TRAFFIC AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE DROVE THE CAR AND THE SAME THING HAS HAPPEN BUT THEY SAY NO CODES COME UP SO THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE CONSIDERING THE COST OF THIS CAR AND WHAT THEY CHARGE TO RUN THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE: 2002 BMW 745I 7 SERIES 2002 BMW 745I WAS THE FIRST RELEASE OF THIS NEW MODEL AND THE MANUFACTURER (BMW) IS AWARE OF THE SERIOUS PROBLEMS AND HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED AND FIXED THEM IN THE LATER MODELS ON 2/2/10, I TOOK MY CAR IN TO WEATHERFORD BMW FOR SERVICE DUE TO A TRANSMISSION FAILSAFE FAILURE CHECK ENGINE PROBLEM AND INFORMED THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE KNOWN 2002/2003 7 SERIES BMW PROBLEMS. ON 2/4/10, I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR IS FIXED AND TEST DRIVEN. I DROVE THE CAR FOR A TOTAL OF 10-15 MILES WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FAILSAFE FAILURE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT RECURRED. I CALLED BMW OF NORTHERN AMERICA AND A REPRESENTATIVE ON 2/9/2010. SHE TOOK MY COMPLAINT AND INFORMED ME THAT BMW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE 2002 AND 2003 7 SERIES MODEL AND DID EXTEND WARRANTY FOR ALL OWNERS FOR 6 MONTHS TO HELP FIX SUCH PROBLEM. I INFORMED HER THAT I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE KNOWN PROBLEMS AND OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION. SHE CHECKED THE CAR HISTORY AND INFORMED ME THAT THE OWNERSHIP RECORD WAS NEVER CHANGED TO MY NAME, AND SHE THEN CHANGED IT. A REPRESENTATIVE FURTHER INFORMED ME THAT A COMMITTEE IS SETUP BY BMW THAT DECIDES WHEN AND WHO TO GRANT A ONETIME ASSISTANCE AT NO COST. SHE THEN ASKED IF I HAVE BENEFITED FROM BMW ASSISTANCE IN THE PAST, TO WHICH I ANSWERED NO. A REPRESENTATIVE THEN SAID IN A CASE SUCH AS MINE, THE DECISION MAKING COMMITTEE CAN ONLY EXTEND THIS OFFER ONCE. I FURTHER THAT BMW WARRANTY PRECLUDES OWNERS OF THE 7 SERIES FROM TAMPERING WITH THE TRANSMISSION AS IT IS SEALED. SINCE BMW WARRANTY COVER UP TO 100,000 MILES AND MY CAR IS ONLY 90,000 MILES. A REPRESENTATIVE CALLED ME ON 2/18/2010 THAT BMW HAS DECLINED ANY ASSISTANCE TO ME WITHOUT REASON. BMW ACKNOWLEDGES KNOWN SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH THE 2002 AND 2003 745I MODELS THAT REQUIRED EXTENSION OF WARRANTY TO SOME OWNERS. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THE CAR AND NEED ASSISTANCE OR AN EXTENSION OF THE WARRANTY OFFERED TO OTHER OWNERS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
DEFECTIVE BRAKES, TRUCK LID, STEERING AND SUSPENSION. WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE TO L WHEN TURNING R AND VICE VERSA. *BF UPON MAKING A RIGHT TURN FROM STOP OR SLOW SPEED WHEN STRAIGHTENING THE VEHICLE TO TRACEL IN A STRAIGHT LINE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS CRANKED TO THE LEFT AND OFF CENTER BY 45 DEGREES. THERE WAS A DELAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL TO RETURN TO A NORMAL POSITION. WHEN DRIVING 55 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL NOTICEABLY FIGHTS THE DRIVER AND ATTEMPTS TO TURN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE WAY THE CONSUMER IS TURNING. THE VEHICLE OVER STEERS WHEN CHANGING LANES. THE STEERING OFTEN SPINS IN ONE DIRECTION OR THE OTHER WHEN VEHICLE BRAKES ARE ACTIVATED. THE BRAKES GRIND AND SQUEAK. *TC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
DEFECTIVE BRAKES, TRUCK LID, STEERING AND SUSPENSION. WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE TO L WHEN TURNING R AND VICE VERSA. *BF UPON MAKING A RIGHT TURN FROM STOP OR SLOW SPEED WHEN STRAIGHTENING THE VEHICLE TO TRACEL IN A STRAIGHT LINE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS CRANKED TO THE LEFT AND OFF CENTER BY 45 DEGREES. THERE WAS A DELAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL TO RETURN TO A NORMAL POSITION. WHEN DRIVING 55 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL NOTICEABLY FIGHTS THE DRIVER AND ATTEMPTS TO TURN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE WAY THE CONSUMER IS TURNING. THE VEHICLE OVER STEERS WHEN CHANGING LANES. THE STEERING OFTEN SPINS IN ONE DIRECTION OR THE OTHER WHEN VEHICLE BRAKES ARE ACTIVATED. THE BRAKES GRIND AND SQUEAK. *TC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .