Does the 2002 BMW 745LI have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2002 BMW 745LI, the most recent reported on July 1, 2003 (Engine and engine cooling). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 BMW 745LI?

Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (10 complaints), followed by electrical system (10).

How many 2002 BMW 745LI complaints mention a crash or fire?

3 of 36 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2002 BMW 745LI recalls and problems

2 recalls and 36 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 BMW 745LI.

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.

2002 BMW 745LI recalls

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.

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery

NHTSA campaign 02V150000 · reported June 3, 2002 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE · 8,412 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: 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.
The fix: 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.

Most reported problems

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

Air bags10
Electrical system10
Power train8
Fuel system, gasoline5
Engine and engine cooling4
Fuel/propulsion system3
Seat belts3
Engine2
Service brakes, hydraulic2
Tires2

What owners report

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

May 26, 2020 · Fuel system, gasoline · 89,000 miles
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…

Aug 12, 2019 · Engine · 108,000 miles
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…

Apr 26, 2019 · Electronic stability control (ESC) · 180,425 miles · crash reported
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…

Sep 21, 2018 · Air bags
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.

May 22, 2018 · Air bags
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…

745LI model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2002	2	36	3	0
2003	2	50	1	0
2004	0	33	1	1
2005	3	25	5	0

Across all years, the 2003 745LI has the most complaints (50). All BMW 745LI years →

Questions

Does the 2002 BMW 745LI have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2002 BMW 745LI, the most recent reported on July 1, 2003 (Engine and engine cooling). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 BMW 745LI?: Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (10 complaints), followed by electrical system (10).
How many 2002 BMW 745LI complaints mention a crash or fire?: 3 of 36 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 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 26, 2020.