VehicleVerdict

2005 BMW 745i problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 21 complaints on file for the 2005 BMW 745i — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

21

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

4

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other 745i years?

745i NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted74 complaints2001: 1 complaints2002: 74 complaints2003: 47 complaints2004: 41 complaints2005: 21 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 3 complaints2008: 0 complaints
745i NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 745i years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 BMW 745i problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System524%
Latches & Locks314%
Airbags314%
Other210%
Brakes210%
Engine210%
Seats15%
Body & Structure15%
Suspension15%
Transmission15%

Does the 2005 BMW 745i have recalls?

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

17V328000Latches & LocksMay 18, 2017 · 45,484 units

Defect

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.

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.

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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

12V502000Electrical SystemOctober 17, 2012 · 45,500 units

Defect

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.

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.

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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

12V504000Latches & LocksOctober 17, 2012 · 7,485 units

Defect

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.

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.

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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TRANSMISSION SKIPPED, ESPECIALLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP...IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND "REPAIRED" BY REPLACING THE "MECHATRONICS" IN THE VEHICLE. NOW, IT HAS OCCURRED AGAIN, AND THEY CLAIM NOW THAT IT IS THE FAILURE OF THE DOOR OPENING SYSTEM, INSTALLED BY BMW, THAT'S CAUSING THE BATTERY TO "LEAK",…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 8, 2010 · crash

“MY CAR WAS DUE FOR STATE INSPECTION AND I TOOK IT INTO RICHMOND BMW IN MIDLOTHIAN VA. THE TECHNICIAN CALLED AND SAID THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AND THE SENSOR IS BAD. THERE IS AN AIRBAG RECALL FOR THE OTHER BMW SERIES BUT IT DIDN'T INCLUDE THE SEVEN SERIES. THERE ARE OTHER 7 SERIES OWNERS EXPERIENCING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 21, 2013

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V328000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. WHILE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · July 1, 2017

“I HAVE BEEN HAVING SEVERAL ELECTRICAL ISSUES ON MY 2005 745I THE ISSUES I AM HAVING ARE ALL ELECTRICAL AND BRAKES, DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW NOT INITIATED, LICENSE PLATE LAMP NOT INITIATED, TRUNK BUTTON NOT WORKING ON DASH PANEL OR KEY FOB OR BUTTON ON TRUNK LID, PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTIONING AND CAUSED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 20, 2013

“WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE DRIVER DOOR EJECTED OPEN CAUSING ME TO STOP INSTANTLY TO WHERE THE DOOR NEEDED TO BE HELD IN ORDER FOR ME TO MAKE IT TO A SAFE DESTINATION SO UNREAL I WAS SCARED TO DEATH IT DOESNT CLOSE AT ALL IN ORDER TO DRIVE NOW. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 19, 2015

2005 BMW 745i — common questions

Is the 2005 BMW 745i reliable?

The record is thin — 21 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2005 745i problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (5 complaints), airbags (3 complaints), latches & locks (3 complaints).

Does the 2005 BMW 745i have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 BMW 745i. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 BMW 745i under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 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.