2003 BMW 7 Series

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2008· WHEELS,EQUIPMENT

  DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 295S IN WASHINGTON DC AROUND 11:30PM ON DEC 28TH 2008. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEAR A LOUD BANG AND IMMEDIATELY LOSS CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTING VEHICLE I NOTICED MY DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AND REAR TIRE WAS FLAT. WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF A POLICE OFFICER I PROCEEDED TO CHANGE THE TIRES WITH A SPARE AND ANOTHER TIRE MY FAMILY MEMBER BROUGHT FROM HOME. THIS IS WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE REAR RIM WAS COMPLETELY SPLIT AND THE INSIDE RING WAS RESTING ON THE BREAK ASSEMBLY. THEN I NOTICED THE FRONT RIM HAD SIMILAR DAMAGE IN THAT IT WAS COMPLETELY SPLIT AROUND THE INSIDE DIAMETER OF THE RIM. *TR

• 12/29/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH, THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO SENT HIM A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: POWER ASSIST: VACUUM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR BUT A PUMP ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 153,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

• 12/29/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, NOT LISTED ON THE NHTSA SITE, IN REFERENCE TO THE PIPING AND BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. THE RECALL NOTICE STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS TO REPLACE THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP BUT THEY DID NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND ALL OTHER COMPONENTS EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,800.

• 12/23/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  MY BMW 745I 2003 HAS EXPERIENCE SEVERAL AREA OF OIL LEAKAGE. WHEN BROUGHT IN TO THE DEALER, I'M TOLD THAT IT'S DUE TO THE ENGINE COOLING ERROR. I FOUND THIS WEBSITE WITH THE RECALL OF THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR BMW FOR THIS VERY REASON BUT I AM TOLD BY MY DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURING COMPANY THAT MY VIN # IS NOT ON THE LIST OF RECALLS. HOW CAN THIS BE POSSIBLE WHEN THE RECALL IS FOR THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL. *LN

• 12/22/2014· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V502000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000. UPDATED 02/09/15*LJ THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 10/7/2015 *JS

• 12/17/2010· POWER TRAIN

  AFTER STOPPING MY 2003 745LI BMW ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2010, (CAR WAS IN PARK), I PUT GEAR SELECTOR INTO DRIVE AND VEHICLE STARTED GOING INTO REVERSE CAUSING ME TO ALMOST HIT VEHICLE BEHIND ME IN THE SCHOOL ZONE. I TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND STARTED AGAIN THINKING IT WAS JUST A COMPUTER GLITCH, THE CAR AGAIN PROCEEDED TO GO BACKWARDS WHILE IN PARK AND DRIVE. AFTER RESTARTING VEHICLE THE THIRD TIME, THE DRIVE FUNCTION FINALLY WORKED. THE FOLLOWING DAY I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A BMW SERVICE CENTER. AT THE CENTER THE VEHICLE AGAIN STARTED TO ACT UP AND MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION WARNINGS AND MESSAGES DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000 MILES. I FEEL THAT OWNERS OF THE 2002 AND 2003 745LI SHOULD BE INFORMED OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE AS I HAVE LOCATED SEVERAL INCIDENCES ON THE INTERNET OF THIS SAME ISSUE. MY WIFE AND I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE FAMILY IN OUR CAR THAT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLY EVEN KILL SOMEONE. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND THAT THERE IS AN INTERNAL SEAL IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH IS PROBABLY LEAKING CAUSING THIS ISSUE. HOPEFULLY THIS REPAIR WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/15/2016· SERVICE BRAKES

  WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES AND ALMOST REAR ENDED A STOPPED VEHICLE. THE BRAKES WHERE NO LONGER FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AFTER THAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE I WAS TOLD VACUUM BRAKE PUMP, THE LOCK RING SEAL, AND THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL BMW DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED FOR MY VEHICLE AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE TO REPAIR.THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. *TR

• 12/15/2011· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I PURCHASED A 2003 745LI NOVEMBER 2007 WHEN COMING TO A STOP THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE WITH HARSH DOWNSHIFT. TOOK CAR DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH CONCERN AND AFTER SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS TO REMEDY THE ISSUE WAS FINALLY MADE AWARE THAT THERE WAS SERVICE BULLETIN CONCERNING TRANSMISSION ISSUE. DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS POSSIBLY FROM TRANSMISSION AND ADVISED ME TO COME BACK FOR REPAIRS. IN NOVEMBER 2008 WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAD TO GET THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE CLUNKING WITH HARSH DOWNSHIFT. THIS ISSUE RETURNED AND PROGRESSED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME DUE TO SAME ISSUE 08-2009. AFTER SECOND TRANSMISSION INSTALLED ISSUE STILL EXISTED AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A SOFTWARE ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION AND THAT THERE WAS NOT ANY OTHER UPDATES AT THIS TIME AND THE INFORMATION WOULD BE FORWARDED FOR BMW FOR ANALYSIS. THE UNIVERSAL /GUIBO HAS BEEN REPLACED 3-4 TIMES SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR BECAUSE OF CLUNKING NOISE HARSH DOWNSHIFTING. AS TIME WENT ON AROUND MAY 2011 THERE WAS AN INCIDENT WHERE AS I WAS DRIVING, APPROACHING AND COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN, IN ADDITION TO THE HARSH CLUNKING THE CAR JERKED AND ACCELERATED FORWARD ALMOST INTO ONGOING TRAFFIC. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY MENTIONED THE SERVICE BULLETIN AGAIN CONCERNING THE ISSUE STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MIGHT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY FIRST REPLACED THE UNIVERSAL/GUIBO, WHICH I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET AND THE ISSUE STILL EXISTS. THE INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED IN MAY 2011 HAPPENED AGAIN FOR THE SECOND TIME IN NOV. 2011. I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE SOME MAJOR ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SINCE THEN I'VE BEEN HAVING, BRAKE/DRIVE MALFUNCTION AMONG OTHER ISSUES. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE SAFETY CONCERN. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED. *TR

• 12/11/2003· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE WAITING AT AN INTERSECTION VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS A DESIGN DEFECT, AND COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

• 12/11/2003· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  REPETITIVE PROBLEMS WITH NAVIGATION, PHONE-- IDLING ISSUES THAT CAR VEHICLE TO SPUTTER AND OR LURCH FORWARD STABILITY CONTROL THAT SWITCHES ITSELF OFF WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION. AK

• 12/10/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  BOUGHT 2003 745LI NEW. MANY PROBLEMS FROM THE START AND OFTEN IN FOR SERVICE. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR QUIT WORKING A YEAR AGO. LEARNED THIS IS COMMON WITH OTHER BLOGS AND BMW OWNERS. CURRENT MILES ARE ONLY 70,000. OVER THE PAST YEAR THE ENGINE HAS RUN EXTREMELY ROUGH EVEN HAVING TO STOP THE CAR BECAUSE OF IT. OCCASIONALLY HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO RESTART. AFTER THREE WEEKS IN THEIR SERVICE CENTER BMW CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE BUT WANT TO DO $4500 OF WORK IN THE ENGINE WHILE TELLING ME THEY CAN'T BE SURE THAT WHAT THEY DO WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM!?

• 12/10/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE

  I HAVE A SERIOUS OIL LEAK MY, LIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING, AIRBAG IN THE SEAT NOT WORKING, BRAKES AND HUD ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

• 12/07/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 7 SERIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: POWER ASSISTS: VACUUM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP WAS LEAKING BUT WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT ONLY THE VACUUM LINE HOSE WAS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND NOT THE PUMP. THE VACUUM PUMP WOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID OFFER ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,300. UPDATED 01/28/11 *BF UPDATED 02/03/11*JB

• 12/07/2004· SEATS

  THE SEAT HEATER STARTED TO SMOKE, BURNING A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT. *AK

• 12/05/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 760LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE LOCAL MECHANIC PERFORMED A TUNE-UP AND CHECKED TO SEE IF WATER WAS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPUTER WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, NOT THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

• 11/25/2012· SERVICE BRAKES

  THE CAR DISPLAYED AN ERROR MESSAGE STATING "PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION". WHEN I APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE IT DID NOT WORK. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. I PAID A TOTAL OF 1300 DOLLARS TO HAVE THE PARKING BRAKE REPLACED. I LATER RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON LINE AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH MANY MODELS OF BMW'S. *TR

• 11/21/2012· POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT BELTS FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE ALSO COULD NOT BE SHIFTED FROM PARK. THE CONTACT HAD TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE ENGAGED IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

• 11/14/2014· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  DRIVING AT 75MPH MY CAR STALLED AND THE STEERING BECAME STIFF. I BARLEY MADE IT OUT OF THE FAST LANE DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC AND OTHER CARS FLYING PAST ME AT 75/80 MPH. CAR STARTED BACK UP AND I PULLED OFF 1/4 MILE LATER IT STALLED AGAIN. I WAS IN THE SLOW LANE (STILL GOING 75MPH ) AND THE CAR STALLS AGAIN. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. MY MECHANIC CALLS ME AND SAYS ITS YOUR HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. I JUST HAD ONE OF MY HPFP FAIL LAST YEAR NOW THE OTHER SIDE FAILED. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUES WITH BMW V12 ENGINE. JUST GOOGLE BMW 760LI HPFP. THERE IS A YOUTUBE VIDEO WITH WHAT FAILED IN THE PUMP. THERE ARE ALSO NUMEROUS ONLINE COMMUNITY'S THAT HAVE PICTURES OF THERE FAILED PUMPS. BMW BUMPS THE PRICES OF THESE PUMPS TO 2,500 DOLLARS A PIECE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE JUST LIKE ON THE 3 AND 5 SERIES THERE JUST AREN'T ENOUGH V12S PRODUCED FOR THIS TO BE A MAJOR RECALL LIKE ON THE 5 SERIES. BMW SHOULD GIVE THESE PUMPS A LONGER WARRANTY. *TR

• 11/09/2004· SEAT BELTS

  DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD NOT RELEASE. REQUIRED SLIDING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH OF THE SEAT BELT. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. *AK

• 11/08/2016· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 11/03/2018· SEAT BELTS,ENGINE

  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 SIDE SEAT. I ONLY CARRY A 10 LB. PURSE THE LIGHT STAYS ON CONSIST.

• 11/03/2018· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  WITHOUT WARNING, THE HOOD LATCH UNLOCKED AND CAUSED THE HOOD TO OPEN WHILE DRIVING , HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE 2017/1/23. DEALERSHIP HAS TO SEE IT HAPPEN IN ORDER TO FIX. MILEAGE 100858 AT TIME I FIRST NOTICE IT.

• 11/03/2018· AIR BAGS

  THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. IN ADDITION, THE TENSION SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,082.

• 10/24/2020· AIR BAGS

  IT SHOWED UP ON MY DASH BOARD AND NOW ITS NOT GOING AWAY

• 10/22/2012· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT DISPENSED COOLANT INTO THE RESERVOIR AND THEN AFTER DRIVING 50 MILES THE MALFUNCTION RECURRED. IN 2012, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE AN ENGINE OVERHAUL WAS PERFORMED. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 300 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THERE WAS RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V324000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER THE VIN WAS INELIGIBLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

• 10/20/2015· POWER TRAIN

  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 JERKED AND ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATE ON OCCASION DURING GEAR CHANGES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

• 10/18/2007· WHEELS

  I RECENTLY PURCHASED A SET OF FOUR 22" SEVAS S-10 WHEELS FOR MY 2003 BMW 745I. I LIVE IN HAWAII AND ORDERED MY WHEELS FROM DNJ WHEELS IN CALIFORNIA. DNJ SHIPPED MY WHEELS AND TIRES TO ME MOUNTED AND BALANCED, SO WHEN I RECEIVED THEM I TOOK THE SET TO MY LOCAL TIRE STORE (LEX BRODIE) AND HAD THEM INSTALLED. AS SOON AS I LEFT THE LEX BRODIE TIRE STORE I NOTICED A SHAKING IN THE CAR. I FELT IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AS WELL AS THE SEAT I WAS IN. I TOOK THE CAR BACK AND ASKED THE MAN THAT INSTALLED THE WHEELS TO CHECK THE LUG NUTS AND MAKE SURE THEY WERE ALL TORQUED TO SPEC. HE VERIFIED THAT THEY WERE, AND I REPORTED THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING. HE SAID THAT IT MIGHT BE A PROBLEM WITH THE BALANCING AND OR THE ALIGNMENT. SO I HAD ALL FOUR WHEELS RE-BALANCED AND HAD A FOUR WHEEL COMPUTER ALIGNMENT DONE AS WELL. AFTER ALL THIS WAS COMPLETE I LEFT THE LEX BRODIE ONLY TO FIND THE PROBLEM WITH MY NEW WHEELS REMAIN. THIS IS WHEN I JOINED THE BMW FORUM (BIMMERFEST.COM) AND NOTICED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHERS WHO WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE SEVAS WHEELS. THERE ARE ALSO SEVERAL PEOPLE WHOSE WHEELS HAVE ACTUALLY SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING! ALL PEOPLE WHOSE WHEELS HAVE SEPARATED REPORTED THAT THEIR CAR WAS SHAKING, AS MINE IS NOW, BEFORE THEIR ACCIDENT. THIS WORRIES ME TO SAY THE LEAST. I USE MY CAR DAILY TO GET TO AND FROM WORK MOST OF THE TIME TRAVELING ON BUSY HIGHWAYS. I DO NOT WANT TO SEE MYSELF, MY PASSENGERS, OR MY FELLOW DRIVERS GET INVOLVED IN A POTENTIALLY FATAL CRASH BECAUSE OF AN ISSUE WITH A WHEEL THAT DOES NOT MEET PROPER SAFETY STANDARDS. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT IN CONJUNCTION WITH SEVERAL OF MY FELLOW BMW 7-SERIES FORUM MEMBERS WHO HAVE ALSO PURCHASED THE SEVAS S-10 WHEEL. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION AND WOULD LIKE TO HELP IN ANY WAY THAT I CAN. VERY RESPECTFULLY. *JB

• 10/16/2014· POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

  THIS VEHICLE HAS A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION, BMW IS AWARE OF THIS BUT IS BANKING ON NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS. WHEN THE CAR COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP IT PUSHES CAR TO FRONT AS IF BEING REAR ENDED, BUT ITS THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION GUIBO JOINT OR AND A SOFTWARE ISSUE THAT BMW HAD INSTALLED IN THOUSANDS OF BMW VEHICLES AT THE TIME. THERE ARE MANY FRUSTRATED OWNERS THAT HAVE PAID THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR THIS CAR. IT IS UNSAFE CAUSE IT PUSHES CAR TO FRONT CAUSING A POSSIBLE HIT TO FRONT CAR IN A TRAFFIC SITUATION. HERE IS MORE ABOUT THIS SERVICE BULLETIN, I FEEL BMW SHOULD FIX THIS AT NO CHARGE SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. READ A/T - HARSH 3-2/2-1 DOWNSHIFTS/CLUNK NOISE , SI B 24 17 07 ,AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DECEMBER 2007, TECHNICAL SERVICE THIS SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN SUPERSEDES SI B24 17 07 DATED JULY 2007. DESIGNATES CHANGES TO THIS REVISION WARRANTY INFORMATION COVERED UNDER THE TERMS OF THE BMW NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY. PLEASE REFER TO THE LATEST KSD FOR ALL APPLICABLE LABOR OPERATIONS AND ALLOWANCES. IF THE APPROPRIATE LABOR OPERATION IS NOT CONTAINED IN KSD, THEN A WORK TIME LABOR OPERATION SHOULD BE USED. DEFECT CODE 24 00 39 61 00. *TR

• 10/03/2017· POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTED INDEPENDENTLY INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF STERLING LOCATED IN STERLING, VIRGINIA AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE HAD TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MALFUNCTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,000.

• 10/02/2015· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THE CAR IS BUCKING AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED LIKE IT IS TRYING TO THROW ME OUT THE WINDOW

• 09/22/2014· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  WAS DETERMINED BY VOB BMW THAT ONE OR BOTH FUEL PUMPS IS DEFECTIVE IN THE CARS ENGINE. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 50K MILES. BMW IS PROVIDING NO ASSISTANCE WITH THIS ISSUE, I FIND THIS UNBELIEVABLE DUE TO THE SELLING PRICE OF THIS VEHICLE. REPAIR COST IS ESTIMATED AT SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS. BMW STATES THAT THE CURRENT DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS WILL BE REPLACED WITH THE SAME EXACT PARTS THAT EXIST IN THE CAR, WITH A 90 DAY WARRANTY. I AM TERRIFIED TO PUT THE CASH INTO THE VEHICLE FOR THE NEW PUMPS TO FAIL AFTER 40K MILES AS WELL. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED, THIS CAR IS IN IMMACULATE CONDITION & SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE AT ALL... *TR

• 09/16/2003· POWER TRAIN

  THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING 10-15 MPH THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR STARTED FLASHING AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS. *AK *TS *NLM

• 08/23/2013· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE

  CAR DOES NOT START CORRECTLY AND STALLS WHILE SITTING AT LIGHTS. IT ALSO CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

• 08/23/2012· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  USED CAR PURCHASE. WITHIN 30 DAYS OF PURCHASE 760LI BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS STARTING. ONCE STARTED, IDLE WAS ROUGH. JUMPED BETWEEN 0 AND 1K RPMS WHILE IN PARK. WHILE DRIVING CAR AT APPROX 20-25 MPH CAR ENGINE STALLED (*UNKNOWN TO DRIVER AS IT IS A QUIET RUNNING ENGINE/OCCUPANT CAB). POWER STEERING WAS LOST AND THE DRIVER NEEDED TO HARD CRANK THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO PULL OUT OF TRAFFIC AND ONTO ROADSIDE SAFETY. THIS BEGAN TO OCCUR REPEATEDLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ON EVERY OCCASION THE CAR WAS DRIVEN. THIS CAR IS A DEATHTRAP!! BMW TOUTS IT AS THEIR FLAGSHIP VEHICLE. SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE IT AND NO LONGER FEEL SAFE PLACING MY FAMILY IN THE CAR. THIS CAR SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD AND BMW SHOULD BE FINED FOR NOT PLACING A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE/PART. THE ONLY REASON INJURY OR CRASH DID NOT OCCUR IS DUE TO THE QUICK REACTION OF MYSELF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

• 08/18/2007· SUSPENSION,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,TIRES,WHEELS,EQUIPMENT

  FAMILY & I HAD BEEN IN VANCOUVER BC FOR VACATION. WE BEGAN OUR RETURN TRIP HOME, CROSSED THE CANADIAN PEACE ARCH BORDER INTO THE US @ APPROXIMATELY 9PM WEDSNESDAY EVENING. ABOUT 1AM EARLY THURSDAY MORNING WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR, FOLLOWED BY OUR VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOOSING CONTROL & SWERVING IN ALL 3 LANES OF INTERSTATE 5 SOUTHBOUND. WE PULLED OVER ON THE LEFT SHOULDER AS IT WAS THE QUICKEST ROUTE TO SAFETY. WE CALLED FOR HELP, ONCE A STATE TROOPER ARRIVED WE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE & LEARNED OUR RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD BLOWN, WE ALSO NOTICED A LEAKING FLUID FROM THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED & STARTED TO PULL THE VEHICLE ONTO HIS FLATBED, WE LEARNED THE RIGHT REAR RIM HAD COMPLETELY SPLIT, & THE ENTIRE INNER LIP ASSEMBLY WAS MISSING. WE ARRIVED AT A PORTLAND OREGON DEALERSHIP AROUND 3 AM AND WAITED IN THE PARKING LOT FOR BUSINESS TO OPEN. ONCE OPEN A TECH INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. WE LEARNED THAT THE REAR RIM BLEW AND SENT METAL SHRAPNEL FLYING EVERYWHERE. 1 PIECE HIT THE REAR STRUT AND PIERCED A HOLE IN IT, LEAKING SHOCK FLUID EVERYWHERE. 1 PIECE HIT THE MUFFLER AND POPPED A HOLE THROUGH THAT. 2 PIECES PIERCED THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE AND ACTUALLY WENT INTO THE TRUNK. 1 OF THE PIECES IN THE TRUNK HIT THE BATTERY IN THE RIGHT REAR AND DECOMMISSION IT. THE PORTLAND OREGON BMW DEALER DID JUST EMERGENCY REPAIRS ENOUGH TO GET US HOME. THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY, THE REAR STRUT, & DID SOME PROGRAMMING REQUIRED FOR THE NEW BATTERY. ONCE HOME, WE NOTICED THE SMELL OF GAS AS WELL AS ERROR MESSAGES IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REGARDING THE GAS CAP BEING OPEN. AFTER DOING A FEW DAYS OF RESEARCH, I LEARNED OF 2 OTHER OWNERS WHO HAD THE EXACT SAME BRAND OF WHEELS (SEVAS - SEVASHEELS.COM) EXPERIENCE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WHERE THE RIM WOULD SPLIT IN TWO AND COME APART DURING DRIVE. I HAVE ALSO HEARD FROM MULTIPLE OWNERS THAT NO MATTER HOW HARD THEIR TIRE SHOP TRIES, THEY CAN NOT PROPERLY BALANCE THE TIRES, RESULTING IN HEAVY VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING. *TR

• 08/16/2012· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

  TERRIBLE TRANSMISSION IN THIS CAR!!!WHILE DRIVING, THIS CAR JUMPS INTO GEAR. FEELS LIKE SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND WHENEVER I STOP. IT ALSO STARTED LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS CAR, I HAVE FOUND OUT THE 745LI MODELS ARE KNOWN FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS,AND LEAKS. THIS CAR SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON IT,BECAUSE APPARENTLY BMW KNOWS THIS,AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. THEY SHOULD MAKE CONSUMERS AWARE THEY HAVE ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS. I WENT TO DROP CAR OFF FOR REPAIR,AND THERE WERE 4 OTHER 745LI'S NEEDING SAME REPAIR. BMW SHOULD BE MADE TO RECALL THESE CARS,AND PAY TO HAVE THEM REPAIRED,OR REIMBURSE US IF WE ALREADY HAD THIS FIXED. *TR

• 08/14/2023· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  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 bags did not deploy. There was no injury sustained. There was no police report filed. The contact parked and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred the following day. The contact stated that the ABS warning light and the brake warning light had illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V446000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), and the contact was referred to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under the recall because the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.

• 08/13/2018· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINEFire

  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 STARTED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A WATER HOSE AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE STOPPED SMOKING ONCE THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 08/09/2011· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN DECELERATING INTO A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT, THE TRANSMISSION AT TIMES WILL VIOLENTLY KICK THE CAR FORWARD AS IF I WAS JUST REAR ENDED. IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE GETTING RUN INTO FROM BEHIND. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR INTO THE BMW DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT RE-CREATE THE EVENT DURING THEIR TEST DRIVE. I HAVE ALSO TAKEN THE CAR TO A THIRD PARTY AUTHORIZED BMW AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHERE I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR THE 7 SERIES MODEL THAT I HAVE BUT BMW HAS OFFERED NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME I DRIVE BUT IT HAPPENS AT THE MOST RANDOM OF TIMES. WHAT CONCERNS ME IS THAT WHEN SLOWING THE CAR WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, IS THAT I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS WHERE BECAUSE OF THE EXTRA KICK FROM WHAT I BELIEVE IS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE, I HAVE COME CLOSE TO REAR- ENDING OTHER VEHICLES AND ENDANGERING MYSELF AND MY OWN PASSENGERS. I HAVE TRIED TO RESEARCH THIS ON THE INTERNET ONLY TO FIND THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS STATING VERY SIMILAR INCIDENTS.

• 08/08/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  11/09 DRIVERSIDE WINDOW REGULATOR REPLACED;CONSTANTLY REPLACING DRIVER SIDE TURN SIGNAL BULB; IN APPROX. MARCH 2010 CAR WOULD RANDOMLY NOT GO INTO REVERSE AND WHEN I WAS ABLE TO GET IT INTO DRIVE CAR WOULD FEEL SLUGGISH OR WHEN COMING TO A STOP FELT AS IF I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND OR CAR WOULD GO INTO FAILSAFE MODE AND I WOULD BE UNABLE TO ACCELERATE, HAD DIAGNOSED BY BMW WAS TOLD 10K+ TO HAVE TRANNY REPLACED ; FOUND A REBUILT TRANNY AND REPLACED IN APPROX. MAY 2010; HERE WE ARE IN AUGUST 2011 AND CAR AGAIN BEGAN TO NOT GO INTO REVERSE AND GIVE A FAILSAFE NOTIFICATION; ATTEMPTED TO START CAR TODAY 8/8 TO TAKE TO SHOP; HOWEVER CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE AND WHEN IT FINALLY INDICATED IT WAS IN REVERSE; ACTUALLY WENT FORWARD BEGAN TO MAKE A WEIRD GRINDING NOISE SO I TURNED IT OFF AND THERE IT SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY LEAKING WHAT I PRESUME TO BE TRANSMISSION FLUID UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. CURRENT MILEAGE 133K

• 08/05/2011· TIRES

  TIRES UNEVEN WEAR. *TT

• 08/01/2012· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,SERVICE BRAKES

  THE 2003 BMW 745LI HAS A RECALL CAMPAIGN NO.10V-446: BRAKE VACUUM PUMP. TOOK CAR IN TO LOCAL DEALER AND DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM RECALL DUE TO VACUUM PUMP LEAKING OIL, AND MUST BE REPLACED FIRST FULL OF CHARGE AT $1300.00USD. WHEN IN RECALL LETTER IT STATES THE PROBLEM TO BE "SMALL AMOUNT OF OIL COULD LEAK FROM THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP INTO THE VACUUM HOSE, DEALER CLAIMS THERE ARE TO ONLY REPLACE VACUUM LINE HOSE. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PERFORM THE SERVICE AND THE MOMENT SO NOW I MUST DRIVE VEHICLE WITH FAULTY BRAKES! THANKS BMW USA! *TR

• 08/01/2003· SEATS

  BRAND NEW BMW 760LI , SEAT MEMORY DOES NOT OPERATE AND MOVE THE SEATS PROPERLY WHEN CAR IS REMOTELY UNLOCKED AS PER THE CARS OPERATING MANUAL AND LISTED FEATURES. BMW NORTH AMERICA TOLD US THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL SEPTEMBER WITH AN UPDATE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SERVICE FOR OVER 14 DAYS FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHO PAYS THIS KIND OF MONEY TO BE TOLD YOU HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER MONTH FOR A SOLUTION, A SIMPLE ONE.*AK

• 07/25/2014· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE CHIME SOUNDED THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

• 07/24/2010· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MY BMW 74LI 2003 HAS REGISTERED A ENGINE MALFUNCTION AFTER TRAVELING LONG DISTANCE AT 55 MILES PER HOUR. THE ENGINE WOULD STALL ON THE LAST TIME THE COMPANY TRY TO STATE THAT IT WAS THE GAS BUT THAT IS NOT TRUE, I HAVE ALWAYS USED HIGH OCTANE PER THE OWNER'S MANUAL. I HAVE COME ACROSS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE 5 SERIES AND 3 SERIES AND I AM SURE THE SAME PROBLEM IS HAPPENING IN THE 7SERIES. THE BMW NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

• 07/23/2019· AIR BAGS

  THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND WARNING NEVER CLEARS WHEN DRIVING THE PASSGNERS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON , SAYING BRING TO NEAREST BMW DEALER SHIP.

• 07/23/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745I. AFTER THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM, SEAT BELT, AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATORS WERE RESET BY SELECTING THE HARD DRIVE BUTTON LOCATED ON THE GPS PANEL; HOWEVER, THE INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED AGAIN THE FOLLOWING DAY WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSISTENTLY THEREAFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

• 07/20/2022· SERVICE BRAKES

  The contact owns a 2003 BMW 745LI. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the brake fluid warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with rotors, brake wear sensors, and brake failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 174,500.

• 07/18/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT

  I OWN A 2003 745LI, BOUGHT IT CERTIFIED USED IN 2006. I HAVE SO FAR HAD AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEMS, OIL LEAKS, TRANSMISSION FAILURES AND LEAKS, POWER WINDOW FAILURE AND SO MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT THEY ARE TOO NUMEROUS TO LIST. MY CAR IS LITERALLY IN THE SHOP ONCE A MONTH. AS OF JULY 2009 THE VEHICLE HAS 63,000 MILES AND TRUST ME, IT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PERFECTLY. IT EVEN PASSED A 160 POINT INSPECTION FOR THE EZ CARE AUTO EXTENDED WARRANTY AND PROCEEDED TO BREAK DOWN 3 WEEKS LATER, HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE? I PAID CLOSE TO 70K FOR A USED VEHICLE. I COULD HAVE BOUGHT TWO BRAND NEW TOP OF THE LINE JAPANESE CARS. *TR

• 07/14/2011· PARKING BRAKE

  03 745LI IN FOR SERVICE REGARDING "SERVICE ENGINE" ; WHEN CAR WAS READY WE PICKED IT UP AND THE PARK BRAKE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THEY RESET IT AND I LEFT. 2 HRS LATER LIGHT RETURNED. NOW THEY SAY PARKING BRAKE/ACTUATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED OVER $1000.00. *TR