Does the 2003 BMW 745I have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2003 BMW 745I, the most recent reported on August 26, 2003 (Engine and engine cooling). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 BMW 745I?

Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (9 complaints), followed by air bags (4).

How many 2003 BMW 745I complaints mention a crash or fire?

8 of 32 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 1 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2003 BMW 745I recalls and problems

2 recalls and 32 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2003 BMW 745I.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2003 BMW 745I recalls

Engine and engine cooling

NHTSA campaign 03V324000 · reported August 26, 2003 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE · 2,400 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the engine oil filter drain plug may be insufficiently tightened. This could lead to loosening of the plug causing an initial oil spray and a subsequent oil leak.
The risk: If a large amount of oil loss occurs, engine damage may result. Depending on the extent of the damage, a crash could occur.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the torque of the oil filter drain plug and, if necessary, retighten the drain plug with the correctly specified torque. Owner notification began on september 12, 2003. Owners should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.

Engine and engine cooling

NHTSA campaign 03V240000 · reported July 1, 2003 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE · 5,470 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: 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.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the digital engine management control unit. Owner notification began july 8, 2003. Owners should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Power train9
Air bags4
Electrical system4
Engine4
Seat belts3
Service brakes3
Service brakes, hydraulic3
Engine and engine cooling2
Equipment2
Unknown or other2

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Aug 14, 2023 · Service brakes, hydraulic · 47,000 miles · crash reported
The contact owns a 2003 BMW 745i. The contact stated while pulling into the garage and depressing the brake pedal, the engine revved up loudly. The contact stated that upon releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly, crashed into a refrigerator and pushed the refrigerator into the wall. The air…

Nov 3, 2018 · Engine · 106,000 miles
THE CAR SMOKES FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM WHEN YOU PULL OFF FROM RED LIGHT, DRIVEWAYS, OR WHENEVER YOU EXCEL IN THE CAR. I WAS TOLD ITS A ENGINE VALVE PROBLEM THAT BMW IS AWARE OF IN THE 7 SERIES. THIS CAR COST TO MUCH FOR ISSUES LIKE YOU ARE A VAPOR FROM BEYOND WHEN DRIVING. ALSO WHY IS IT A PROBLEM WITH SENSOR ON PASSENGER…

Aug 13, 2018 · Engine · 130,000 miles · fire reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745I. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE FAN BELT FRACTURED AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH MEANT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. A WEEK LATER, THE HOOD WAS OPENED AND SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE COMPUTER PANEL AS A FIRE…

Oct 20, 2015 · Power train · 100,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745I. AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, THE "ENGINE FAIL SAFE TRANSMISSION" MESSAGE DISPLAYED AND THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT SWITCH OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE "FAILED TRANSMISSION DRIVE MODERATE" MESSAGE DISPLAYED AND THE SPEED WOULD SUDDENLY REDUCE. THE VEHICLE ALSO…

Jan 27, 2015 · Air bags · 95,000 miles
FOLLOWING ERROR WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE: "FAULT IN PASS-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. FASTEN AND CONTINUE TO WEAR SEATBELTS. PLEASE CONTACT THE NEAREST BMW CENTER" IN THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WHEN STARTING THE CAR. " 2003 BMW 745I. THIS MODEL/YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN PRIOR RECALL.

745I model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2001	0	1	0	0
2002	2	54	3	1
2003	2	32	8	1
2004	0	24	3	3
2005	3	16	1	0
2006	1	0	0	0

Across all years, the 2002 745I has the most complaints (54). All BMW 745I years →

Questions

Does the 2003 BMW 745I have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2003 BMW 745I, the most recent reported on August 26, 2003 (Engine and engine cooling). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 BMW 745I?: Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (9 complaints), followed by air bags (4).
How many 2003 BMW 745I complaints mention a crash or fire?: 8 of 32 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 1 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received August 14, 2023.