Does the 2005 BMW 745LI have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 BMW 745LI, 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 745LI?

Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (5 complaints), followed by power train (5).

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

5 of 25 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 8 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2005 BMW 745LI recalls and problems

3 recalls and 25 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2005 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.

2005 BMW 745LI 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.

Air bags5
Power train5
Electronic stability control (ESC)4
Engine and engine cooling4
Latches/locks/linkages4
Service brakes, hydraulic4
Electrical system3
Seat belts3
Structure3
Engine2

What owners report

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

Sep 13, 2018 · Latches/locks/linkages · 58,423 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BMW OF RIVERSIDE (3060 ADAMS ST, RIVERSIDE, CA 92504, [phone removed]) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V328000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). SHORTLY AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR…

Sep 12, 2017 · Air bags · 125,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT MENTION ANY RECALLS…

Apr 7, 2017 · Electrical system · 72,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. AFTER INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD IMMEDIATELY SWITCH TO THE PARK OR NEUTRAL POSITION. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAS MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF…

Sep 30, 2016 · Structure · 122,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE DOOR AJAR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCK MOTION KIT AND LOCK SAFETY KIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…

Jan 23, 2015 · Power train · 145,000 miles
TL CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT BACK TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER…

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
2006	1	0	0	0
2007	1	0	0	0
2008	1	0	0	0

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

Questions

Does the 2005 BMW 745LI have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 BMW 745LI, 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 745LI?: Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (5 complaints), followed by power train (5).
How many 2005 BMW 745LI complaints mention a crash or fire?: 5 of 25 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 8 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 13, 2018.