VehicleVerdict

2002 BMW 745i problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 74 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.2 times the median 745i year — the 2002 model ranks #1 of 8 745i years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (17), brakes (15), and airbags (11), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

74

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other 745i years?

745i NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted74 complaints2001: 1 complaints2002: 74 complaints2003: 47 complaints2004: 41 complaints2005: 21 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 3 complaints2008: 0 complaints
745i NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 745i years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 BMW 745i problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission1723%
Brakes1520%
Airbags1115%
Electrical System912%
Engine811%
Seat Belts34%
Fuel System34%
Other23%
Seats23%
Speed Control11%
Latches & Locks11%
Steering11%
Body & Structure11%

Does the 2002 BMW 745i have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

03V240000EngineJuly 1, 2003 · 5,470 units

Defect

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.

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.

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.

02V150000Fuel SystemJune 3, 2002 · 8,412 units

Defect

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.

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 12, 2011 · crash

“BRAKES FAILED FOR 2ND TIME IN 2 WEEKS, RESULTING IN FENDER DAMAGE TO 3 VEHICLES; ACCIDENT OCCURED AT 5 MPH. THE SAME FAILURE HAD OCCURED 2 WEEKS EARLIER (WITHOUT ANY DAMAGES), AND THE LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP "REPAIRED" THE BRAKE WHEEL SENSORS, STATING THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE BRAKE FAILURE. THERE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 31, 2002 · crash

“I PURCHASE A NEW 745I AND AFTER 10MONTHS OF CONSTANT AGGRAVATION AND FUSTRATION BY THE NUMEROUS FAILURES OF THIS CAR, I WOULD LIKE FOR BMW TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. MY CAR CONSTANTLY KEEP HAVING ENGINE FAILURE, RECENTLY BMW HAD TO REPLACE THE CYLINDER HEADS (FOR A NEW CAR THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE). I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 19, 2003

“THE SAFETY RESTRAINT DEVICE CONTINUOUSLY MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH RESULTED IN THE ENTIRE RESTRAINT SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE AIR BAGS BECOMING INOPERATIVE. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THE THIS MALFUNCTION WAS CAUSED BY A FAILURE IN THE I/DRIVE COMPUTER SYSTEM. DEALERSHIP REPROGRAMED THE COMPUTER DRIVE WHICH ONLY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 10, 2003

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 27, 2003 · fire

2002 BMW 745i — common questions

Is the 2002 BMW 745i reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 74 complaints put the 2002 model at #1 of 8 745i years. It is one of the 745i years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 745i problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (17 complaints), brakes (15 complaints), airbags (11 complaints).

Does the 2002 BMW 745i have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 BMW 745i. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 BMW 745i under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which BMW 745i years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 745i years to avoid are 2002, 2003, 2004. The cleanest record among 745i years belongs to 2008.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.