2002 BMW 745LI

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 pressing the engine start / stop button) without inserting the key fob into the vehicles key slot in the instrument panel.Subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option require the key fob be inserted the key slot to start the engine.Upon removal of the key from the key slot the vehicle will automatically shift to Park if the driver has not done so using the gearshift lever.Sunject vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access option are designed such that when the vehicle is stopped with the service brakes applied and the transmission in Drive or Reverse, the driver can push the engine start/stop button one time, stopping the engine and automatically shifting the transmission to Park.In its DIR, BMW identified a condition such that if the driver depressed the start-stop button multiple times in rapid succession, the transmission could shift to Neutral instead of Park.With the transmission in neutral, depending on the slope of the road, the vehicle could rollaway if unattended.In review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and of reports submitted to BMW, ODI identified 20 reports alleging vehicle rollaway involving vehicles equipped with Comfort Access.The vehicles identified in these reports are all subject to recall 12V-502.Ten of these reports were identified as likely related to the defect described in recall 12V-502.Two of the reports are likely related to other mechanical failures.The remaining 8 allegations of vehicle rollaway could not be associated with a specific cause.There are 32 reports alleging vehicle rollaway in the subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option.A vehicle based safety defect trend was not identified in these reports.Subject vehicles not equipped the Comfort Access option will automatically shift to Park once the key fob is removed from the key slot.In this regard these vehicles behave similarly to those with traditional mechanical keys where the key cannot be removed from the ignition unless the vehicle is shifted to Park.The difference between these vehicles and the subject vehicles with the Comfort Access option is that in the Comfort Access equipped vehicles, the engine can be started and stopped without the key fob in the key slot.ODI reports 10429922 and 10419177 noted in the EA opening resume were determined to be vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option and ODI did not identify a vehicle based safety defect associated with these incidents.This investigation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10185770

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. ODI has also identified 3 additional reports in its database alleging vehicle rollaway incidents of which 2 resulted in crashes.The subject vehicles are all equipped with push-buttons (Start/Stop button) to control starting/stopping the engine and Shift-by-Wire gearshift systems controlled by a column mounted selector lever behind the steering wheel. The Start/Stop button also controls switching the ignition and the radio ready state On and Off. Shift-by-wire systems replace the traditional mechanical connection (e.g., cable or linkage) between the gearshift and automatic transmission with an electronic connection controlled by a computer module. When parking the vehicle, the driver has the capability to manually shift the vehicle to park by pressing the Park button on the end of the electronic gearshift lever. However, the instructions for engine shutoff provided in the owner's manual state that pressing the Start/Stop button serves the dual function of switching off the engine and automatically shifting the transmission to Park.In response to ODI's information request for PE11-025, BMW described several circumstances where the subject vehicles may shift to neutral when the driver may expect it to automatically shift to park. First, for Comfort Access System (CAS) vehicles, if the transmission is in neutral when the key fob is in the ignition slot and the Start/Stop button is pressed to shut-off the engine, the transmission will remain in neutral. This is referred to as the Carwash mode and is a normal operating feature of the vehicles that is described in the owner's manual. BMW also described two circumstances that are not normal operating features and are not described in the owners' manual: (1) with the transmission in drive or reverse and the engine running, if the Start/Stop button is pushed 2 or 3 times within a 0.3 second to 0.5 second interval, the engine will stop and the transmission will shift to Neutral; and 2) if the Park button on the gearshift lever is pressed at the same time that the gearshift lever is actuated (i.e., toggled up or down) to select drive, reverse or neutral; the transmission will shift to neutral or remain in neutral.Beginning in model year (MY) 2005, BMW introduced CAS as an optional feature package for the subject vehicles.The key for CAS equipped vehicles is an electronic code that is sent to the engine control module by a remote transmitter (key fob). An optional docking port (key slot) is provided for driver convenience or to put the vehicle into Car Wash mode, which allows for engine shutoff in neutral. BMW sold approximately 45,000 subject vehicles with CAS and approximately 94 percent of the CAS equipped vehicles were produced from MY 2006 through 2008. Non-CAS subject vehicles were produced from MY 2002 through 2008 and require the remote control to be in the ignition slot located next to the Start/Stop button to start the engine.The 50 incidents identified by ODI's analysis of complaints and field reports include 18 involving CAS vehicles (39.6 incidents per 100,000 vehicles) and 32 involving non-CAS vehicles (42.0 incidents per 100,000 vehicles). Because the incidents are considered random events, the failure rates were also adjusted for vehicle exposure, resulting in rat

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.

NHTSA ID

11326049

Incident

Apr 14, 2020

Mileage

89,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11243268

Incident

Jul 1, 2018

Mileage

108,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11203845

Incident

Jul 20, 2018

Mileage

180,425 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11130632

Incident

May 1, 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.

NHTSA ID

11097258

Incident

Mar 6, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID

10888708

Incident

Jul 1, 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

NHTSA ID

10861168

Incident

Jan 4, 2016

Mileage

148,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10807277

Incident

Nov 19, 2015

Mileage

110,105 mi

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low CDA594 - Message (- 0x33E) missing, receiver DME, transmitter TFE

Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicle’s equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additionally, the red anti-theft alarm LED in the interior mirror does not briefly flash every 2 seconds, indicating the alarm is armed.

Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column.

NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:

NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance: