Does the 2005 BMW 745I have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 BMW 745I, the most recent reported on May 18, 2017 (Latches/locks/linkages: doors, latch). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 BMW 745I?

Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (4 complaints), followed by air bags (3).

How many 2005 BMW 745I complaints mention a crash or fire?

1 of 16 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 1 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2005 BMW 745I recalls and problems

3 recalls and 16 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2005 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.

2005 BMW 745I recalls

Latches/locks/linkages: doors, latch

NHTSA campaign 17V328000 · reported May 18, 2017 · BMW of North America, LLC · 45,484 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: 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.
The fix: 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 [email protected].

Electrical system: ignition, switch · Power train: automatic transmission, control module (tcm/PCM/tecm) · Power train: automatic transmission

NHTSA campaign 12V502000 · reported October 17, 2012 · BMW of North America, LLC · 45,500 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: 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.
The fix: 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 [email protected].

Latches/locks/linkages: doors, latch

NHTSA campaign 12V504000 · reported October 17, 2012 · BMW of North America, LLC · 7,485 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: 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.
The fix: 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 [email protected].

Most reported problems

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

Electrical system4
Air bags3
Latches/locks/linkages3
Engine1
Engine and engine cooling1
Equipment adaptive/mobility1
Power train1
Seats1
Service brakes1
Service brakes, hydraulic1

What owners report

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

May 22, 2019 · Electrical system · 160,336 miles
DRIVING FROM WORK AN MY CAR JUST STARTED LOSING POWER I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AN BATTERY AN THE CAR DID THE SAME THING.

Nov 22, 2017 · Latches/locks/linkages · 98,000 miles
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 DRIVING APPROXIMATELY…

Jul 17, 2017 · Latches/locks/linkages · 172,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED IN THE REAR DOORS WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS IN THE REAR SEAT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED…

Jun 14, 2017 · Engine · 140,000 miles
THE COOLANT SYSTEMS FAILED .AND WITH RESEARCH I WAS ABLE TO DISCOVER A STEADY PROBLEM FOR THESE MODELS.

Apr 30, 2015 · Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V504000 (LATCHES, LOCKS AND LINKAGES); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE…

745I model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
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
2007	1	1	0	0
2008	1	0	0	0

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

Questions

Does the 2005 BMW 745I have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 BMW 745I, the most recent reported on May 18, 2017 (Latches/locks/linkages: doors, latch). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 BMW 745I?: Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (4 complaints), followed by air bags (3).
How many 2005 BMW 745I complaints mention a crash or fire?: 1 of 16 complaints report a crash and 0 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 May 22, 2019.