2004 BMW 7 Series

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

• 12/30/2014· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

• 12/30/2010· AIR BAGS

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745LI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG DRIVER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT IT MIGHT BE A PROBLEM WITH THE SENSOR AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

• 12/24/2009· POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT

  TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN FAILING ON MY 2004 754LI THE FIRST YEAR I PURCHASED IT. I HAVE SENT TO THE VIST BMW IN CYPRESS CREEK FLORIDA OVER 20 TIMES IT STAYED IN THE THEIR HANDS FOR WEEKS ON END AND ALWAYS TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. FOR YEARS IT WAS A CONSTANT CHORE TO DRIVE 30 MILES TO THEIR FACILITY AND FOR THEM TO INSPECT MY COMPLAINT TO SIMPLY TO TELL ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. LOW AND BEHOLD MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AND WHEN I WENT THERE AGAIN, THEY SAID " WELL IT SEEMS LIKE YOUR TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND WOULD NEED EXTENSIVE REPAIRS". IMMEDIATELY, I COMPLAINED AND BEGAN TO REQUEST SUPERVISORS. THEY ONCE AGAIN CONTACTED THE BMW NORTH AMERICA SUPERVISOR WHO SAID THEY WILL NOT WARRANTY THIS COMPLAINT REGARDLESS OF THE DOCUMENTED HISTORY. I HAVE WASTED OVER 100 DAYS OF MY CAR BEING IN THE SHOP AND AT THIS POINT I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION IS CONSTANTLY FAILING AND THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. I PAID CLOSE TO 90K FOR THIS VEHICLE AND PLENTY OF ADDITIONAL MONIES FOR RENTALS AND ADDITIONAL REPAIRS DUE TO THE INABILITY OF THE CARS TRANSMISSION TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO...PLEASE HELP IN THIS ECONOMY THE CAR'S VALUE HAS DEPLETED AND WITHOUT A PROPER TRANSMISSION IT IS ALMOST WORTHLESS. *TR

• 12/22/2015· AIR BAGSFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BMW 745I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNUSUALLY LOUD NOISE AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE EXPLODED INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT'S CLOTHES CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN FRONT OF A FIRE STATION WHERE THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW YARD. BOTH FIRE AND POLICE REPORTS WERE FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. WHEN NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE EXPLOSION COULD HAVE BEEN FROM THE AIR BAGS; HOWEVER, BMW DID NOT USE TAKATA AIR BAGS. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

• 12/19/2014· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  I HAVE DRIVEN 2004 BMW 745I FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS. IT HAS 44000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. RECENTLY, IT STOPS WHILE DRIVING. EACH TIME IT STOPS, THE GEAR IS SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL. WHEN I TRIED TO START ENGINE, IT WON'T START. AFTER USING CELL PHONE TO REQUEST FOR HELP, THE ENGINE STARTS. IT HAPPENED MORE THAN FIVE TIMES. *TR

• 12/08/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER10V446000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST VACUUM AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT REPLACING THE HOSE WOULD ONLY BE A TEMPORARY REPAIR THAT WOULD CAUSE FUTURE PROBLEMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 58,500.

• 12/07/2010· SEATS

  I STARTED MY BMW 745I TO WARM IT UP ALONG WITH THE HEATED SEATS. CAME OUT OF MY HOUSE THREE MINUTES LATER TO LEAVE AND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. I LOOKED AROUND BUT DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING OUTRIGHT OBVIOUS. I STARTED TO DRIVE AWAY WHEN I FELT BURNING SENSATION TO MY LEFT SIDE. I TURNED TO LOOK AND SAW THAT SEAT HEATER WAS BURNING THROUGH THE LEATHER ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BACK OF THE SEAT. I MADE LEFT A MESSAGE WITH A SERVICE REP AT "NEW COUNTRY BMW" OF HARTFORD,CT WITH NO RETURN CALL WITHIN 24 HOURS AS THERE ANSWERING SERVICE PROMISES. I THEN BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO "NEW COUNTRY BMW" OF HARTFORD, CT WHERE THE SERVICE REP TOLD MYSELF HE HAD "NEVER HEARD OF THERE BEING A SEAT HEATER RECALL". *TR

• 12/06/2016· WHEELS

  MY WHEELS HAVE BEEN SEEPING AIR FOR A YEAR NOW. I TAKE THE RIM IN TO GET REPAIRED.TECH NOTIFIED ME THE WHEEL IS USELESS AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WHILE SHIPPING AROUND, NO WHEEL SHOP HAS BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE A REPLACEMENT, INCLUDING THE DEALER WHO SOLD IT TO ME. I PAID OVER 2600 FOR WHEELS AND TIRES EXPECTING AT LEAST THE WHEELS THE LIFE OF THE CAR CONSIDERING THE WHEELS BEING LUXURY. DURING A EXTENSIVE SEARCH FOR A REMEDY WITHOUT HAVING TO BUY A NEW SET OF WHEELS I CAME ACROSS THIS WEBSITE REGARDING A RECALL OF OVER 1500 WHEELS MADE BY SEVAS MODEL S10. HOW DO I GO BY TO HONOR THIS RECALL...I STILL HAVE WHEELS AND ORIGINAL TIRES. *TR

• 12/03/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ROUTINE REPAIR AND THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED OIL LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP INTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: POWER ASSIST: VACUUM). IN CONJUNCTION TO THE RECALL REPAIR THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY WAS NOT SUFFICIENT AND FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.

• 12/03/2009· SEATS

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745LI. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHICH INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE OCCUPANT DETENTION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE DETENTION SYSTEM WAS RESET; HOWEVER, THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PURCHASING THE REPAIR PART THAT WILL PROGRAM THE COMPUTER. RECALL 04V379000 FOR THE SEATS IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000. UPDATED 12/22/09. *LJ THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT DID NOT DETECT A PERSON SITTING IN THE SEAT. UPDATED 12/29/09. *JB

• 11/13/2012· SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS AND RESULTED IN AN ABNORMALLY SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE AND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 10/25/2013· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

  THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG CAME ON AND THE TENSION IN THE SEAT BELT IS NON-EXISTENT. *TR

• 10/22/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE REAR SIDE DOOR UNEXPECTEDLY OPEN WHILE DRIVING, A WEEK LATER THE OTHER SIDE DID THE SAME THING THE FOR OPEN THEN IT CLOSED BY ITS SELF. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A HIGHWSY.

• 10/18/2005· VISIBILITY,TIRES,EQUIPMENT

  CONSUMER 2004 BMW 745 LI CAR PHONE DID NOT REGISTER WHEN IN THE CRADLE. NAVIGATION DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. *** NAR RECEIVED 10-18-05*** *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD SEVERAL SOFTWARE UPGRADES TO GET THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM TO WORK. ON MULTIPLE OCCASION, THE FLAT TIRE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATED EVEN THOUGH THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE A FLAT TIRE. THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW NEVER OPENED OR CLOSED ALL THE WAY. *JB

• 10/09/2014· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A BMW 745 LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

• 10/08/2008· AIR BAGS

  SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE OF A USED 2004 BMW 745LI, THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. CAR WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION, THEREFORE I PAID $1700 TO BMW OF SILVER SPRING TO HAVE THIS CORRECTED. *TR

• 10/06/2008· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,EQUIPMENT

  VEHICLE:2004 BMW 745LI DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT: SEVAS S-10 WHEELS AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT TWO HOURS GOING 65MPH ALL OF THE SUDDEN I HEAR A LOUD POP AS MY VEHICLE STARTS TO SWERVE. I SAW SPARKS AND HEARD MORE GRINDING NOISES. LUCKILY TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND I WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. AS I PULLED TO SHOULDER, IT WAS APPARENT WHAT HAD HAPPENED, MY WHEELS JUST FELL APART. AFTER ABOUT TEN MINUTES A POLICE OFFICER STOPPED BY AND CALLED A WRECKER. THE FOLLOWING DAY I REPLACED THE DAMAGED SEVAS S-10 WHEELS WITH MY FACTORY WHEELS AND REALIZED JUST HOW BAD IT COULD'VE BEEN. THE WHEELS WERE COMPLETELY SEVERED THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE WHEELS TOGETHER WERE THE TIRES, WHICH THEMSELVES WERE BADLY DAMAGED. THE INCIDENT CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE TPMS, LEFT REAR STRUT AND GASHES IN THE WHEELS WELLS AND UNDERBODY CARRIAGE. *TR

• 09/29/2011· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, BUT BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARD OUT OF A GARAGE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE BY ENGAGING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,071.

• 09/27/2004· STEERING,POWER TRAIN

  AFTER TWO WEEKS OF PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL MODE WITH THE GEAR SHIFT STILL IN DRIVE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO OPERATE FOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL TWICE. ON BOTH ITEMS THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *JB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS A 9/1/04 RECALL NOTICE TO REPROGRAM THIS MODEL VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT DURING THIS RECALL PERIOD. *TC

• 09/26/2011· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE GRADUALLY DECELERATED TO A STOP AS THE CONTACT APPLIED EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER HOME AND PARKED WHERE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

• 09/25/2011· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  HARD TO START, CRANKS FOR A WHILE TILL IT BUILDS UP PRESSURE THEN STARTS. IDLES ROUGH AND SOMETIMES DIES WHEN SITTING AT STOP LIGHT, AND SPUTTERING POWER AT TIME WHEN TAKING OFF, ALSO WHEN IT STALLS WHILE DRIVING IT IS A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER FOR STEERING AND OTHER CONTROLS, VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS. BMW STATES IT IS THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND THE PART IS $2,700 + 1300 LABOR. THIS IS THE FLAGSHIP CAR FOR BMW. PLEASE RECALL AND REPLACE BOTH PUMPS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. WHY SHOULD ONE HAVE TO PAY A HIGH AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR A CAR THAT HAS A KNOWN DEFECT AND IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED. *TR

• 09/20/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE HORN DID NOT WORK. AFTER COMPLAINING TO THE DEALER FOR MORE THAN 5 MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THE HORN ONLY WORKED IN CERTAIN PLACES BECAUSE OF THE AIR BAG. *JB THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE HORN PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR THE WAY THE AIR BAG IS SITUATED AND UNFORTUNATELY NO ADJUSTMENTS COULD BE MADE TO THE DESIGN OF THE STEERING WHEEL. *NM

• 09/13/2011· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED REPEATEDLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE REPAIRED TWICE BEFORE LOCATING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:04V344000 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: CONTROL MODULE -TCM, PCM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

• 09/09/2012· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  SENSOR MALFUNCTION CAUSES TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT INTO ALTERNATE GEARS WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION. WHILE IN DRIVE CAR WOULD SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR NEUTRAL BY ITSELF WITH NO OPERATOR CONTROL. *TR

• 09/08/2022· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCECrash

  The electric parking gear shift slipped out of park on it own. When I stepped out of the car and the gear was placed in P park position, I got out the car was completely in park and not moving, I went to open my garage and planned to come back and drive car in garage. The car automatically with no one driving slipped into another gear on its own, I looked up as I was opening garage the car was driving towards me and pinned me in between the garage and car. I was stuck and screaming for help I almost lost my life a neighbor ran over and put it in reverse and saved my life. I was car flighted to trauma unit with fractured hips and pelvic area. I was almost killed in this accident.

• 08/27/2012· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND EVERYTHING WENT HAYWIRE AND ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE ENGINE FELT LIKE IT SHUT OFF. AFTER I PULLED OVER I SHUT IT OFF AND TRIED TURNING IT BACK ON BUT IT WOULDN'T START. I SAT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR 25 MIN AND TRIED IT AGAIN AND IT FINALLY TURNED BACK ON. *TR

• 08/25/2012· SERVICE BRAKES

  I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 BMW 745I. I RECEIVED A LETTER IN NOVEMBER 2010 FROM BMW STATING THAT THERE WAS RECALL ON BRAKE VACUUM PUMP. ON NOVEMBER 11 2010 BEFORE RECEIVING THIS RECALL LETTER. I HAD REPAIRS DONE TO MY BRAKE VACUUM PUMP. WHEN I CALLED BMW TO GET MY MONEY REFUNDED THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME "IT WAS DIFFERENT." I WAS CHARGED OVER 6,000 DOLLARS FOR THIS SERVICE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL PEOPLE AND WAS GIVEN DIFFERENT NUMBERS TO TRY TO GET MY MONEY BACK AND HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. I ALSO NOTICED ON A FEBRUARY 2011 ST. PETE TIMES ISSUE BMW WAS FINED $3MILLION DOLLARS FOR DELAYING RECALLS. I HAVE ALL DOCUMENTATIONS TO SUPPORT MY ARGUMENT TO INCLUDE THE ARTICLE OF THE ST. PETE TIMES. *TR

• 08/19/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD OVERHEAT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT DOWN AND LOSE POWER. THE SAFETY MECHANISM IN THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT DOWN IF IT SENSED A FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. ON ONE OCCASION, SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER AROUND THE CORNER AND THE OTHER TWO TIMES, SHE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE CODE WAS LOST. THE CONTACT SHOWED THE MECHANIC PICTURES OF THE MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT READ, "DO NOT DRIVE, ENGINE OVERHEATING, TURN ENGINE OFF". THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A NEW BATTERY WAS NEEDED AND SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $600. SHE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THE ISSUE CENTERED AROUND THE BATTERY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE NO CODE DISPLAYED, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,827. UPDATED 09/17/08.*LJ UPDATED 09/25/08. *JB

• 08/18/2012· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LOST POWER AND WENT BLACK. NO SPEEDOMETER, NO TACHOMETER. NO WARNING LIGHTS WORKING. NOTHING IS WORKING THROUGH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. COULD NOT TELL HOW FAST I WAS TRAVELING, OR IF TURN SIGNALS WERE WORKING, SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

• 08/15/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745LI . THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH THE ABS LAMP ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING VIOLENTLY AND THE BRAKES AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, AFTER THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON THE TRANSMISSION SAFE MODE WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THREE YEARS AGO, THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 86,000. UPDATED 9/13/11 *CN UPDATED 09/28/11

• 08/13/2004· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HELLO, SOMETHING SIMPLY MUST BE DONE ABOUT THESE CARS WITH THE EXTREMELY BRIGHT, OFTEN BLUE IN COLOR HEADLIGHTS! THEY ARE A SAFETY HAZARD! AT THE VERY BEST THEY ARE DISTRACTING AND IRRITATING. IT IS HARD FOR ME TO BELIEVE SOME OF THESE LIGHTS ARE LEGAL, BUT THEY APPARENTLY ARE. IT SEEMS INCREASING NUMBERS OF NEW CARS, MOSTLY IMPORTS, ARE EQUIPPED WITH THEM FROM THE FACTORY. FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO SEE, THE BMWS ARE THE WORST. AUDI, ACURA, LEXUS, INFINIT, NISSAN, CADILLAC ESCALADE AND CHRYSLER PACIFICA ARE ALSO PRETTY BAD. I AM SURE THE DRIVERS OF THESE VEHICLES CAN SEE MUCH BETTER WITH THESE EXTREME HEADLIGHTS. BUT THEIR BEING ABLE TO SEE BETTER SHOULD NOT CAUSE OTHER MOTORISTS TO BE BLINDED! PLEASE!!!!!!! DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!!!!!! ONE MORE NOTE: I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT VIN NUMBER. I DO NOT HAVE A VIN NUMBER TO PROVIDE AND THIS WAS THE ONLY THING I COULD GET IT TO ACCEPT SO I COULD SUBMIT THIS. CRAZY, EH?! ANYWAY, I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT!!!!!!!!! SINCERELY; ALLEN H. DUNKIN 4492 QUARTER HORSE DRIVE NE ROSWELL, GEORGIA 30075 ALLENHDUNKIN@CS.COM. *AK

• 08/12/2011· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  HARD TO START, CRANKS FOR A WHILE TILL IT BUILDS UP PRESSURE THEN STARTS. IDLES ROUGH AND SOMETIMES DIES WHEN SITTING AT STOP LIGHT, AND SPUTTERING POWER AT TIME WHEN TAKING OFF, LEAKS FUEL FROM RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL WHEN FILLING WITH FUEL. ALSO STALLS WHILE DRIVING AND TOTAL LOSS OF POWER FOR STEERING AND OTHER CONTROLS, VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT OCCURS. I'M TOLD IT IS THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND I MUST SAY THAT I CANNOT SEE HOW THIS PART CAN BE SO EXPENSIVE ($2,700) AND SURPRISED THAT BMW DID NOT RECALL THESE AND REPLACE IF THIS IN AN ENDEMIC FAULT. I WAS LUCKY THAT MY CAR FAILED 20 YARDS FROM MY HOUSE AS I RETURNED FROM A 200 MILE ROUND TRIP ON THE HIGHWAY. I DREAD TO THINK WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED TO ME IF THIS HAD STOPPED WHILE I WAS ON THE FAST LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. FOR WHAT IS A FLAGSHIP CAR, IT IS A POTENTIAL DEATH TRAP. *TR

• 08/11/2015· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATS

  THE VEHICLE AIR BAG SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR. IT IS A DOCUMENTED ISSUE WITH BMW AND THEY ARE DENYING COVERAGE FOR MY PARTICULAR VIN

• 08/06/2015· SEATSFire

  ON JULY 15, 2015, I WAS DRIVING ON FAR LEFT LANE OF HIGHWAY 65 HEADED TOWARD I80 TO SACRAMENTO WHEN I STARTED SMELLING HAIR BURNING AND FELT INTENSE HEAT ON MY LOWER BACK WHICH WAS PRESSING AGAINST THE DRIVER SEAT BACK. QUICKLY SMOKE STARTED COMING UP BETWEEN BY LEFT ARM AND ACROSS MY BODY. I WAS UNSURE OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING SO ATTEMPTED TO MOVE ACROSS HIGHWAY TO FAR RIGHT LANE PULL OVER ONTO HIGHWAY SHOULDER. AS SOON AS I COULD, I PARKED THE CAR JUMPED OUT OF THE DRIVER SEAT AND SAW THE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK, I GRABBED MY BOTTLE OF WATER AND POURED IT ONTO THE SEAT WHERE AN APPARENT HOLE HAD BURNED THRU. WHEN SAFE, DROVE HOME AND CALLED BMW DEALERSHIP IN ROSEVILLE, CA TO REPORT THE INCIDENT. THE CAR WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP ON 7/16. THEY HAVE REPORTED IT AS A FAULTY HEATING MECHANISM TO BMW CORPORATE OFFICE. HOWEVER, THERE IS YET NO RESPONSE FROM CORPORATE AND NO RESOLUTION. BMW CORPORATE APPEARS TO BE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE US/OWNERS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COSTS. IT HAS BEEN 22 DAYS SINCE THE INCIDENT AND DESPITE MULTIPLE CALLS, EMAILS AND COMMUNICATIONS, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO ADDRESS THE FAULTY HEATING MECHANISM. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT CAN BE DONE TO GET ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. BY THE GRACE OF GOD MY WIFE WAS NOT DRIVING AND I WAS ABLE TO GET ACROSS THE FREEWAY SAFELY BEFORE ANY HARM OR DAMAGE WAS DONE. WE DON'T WANT OTHERS TO SUFFER ANY CONSEQUENCES BECAUSE OF FURTHER DELAYS AND LACK OF ATTENTION TO THIS CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE.

• 08/03/2009· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OPENED SLIGHTLY ON ITS OWN, AND THE SOFT CLOSE DOORS MUST HAVE REACTED AND CLOSED IT BACK SHUT. *TR

• 07/29/2009· POWER TRAIN

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STALLING WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG, ENGINE, AND TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SAFETY MODULE FAILED. THE REPAIR COST WAS ESTIMATED AT $1,200. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V344000 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: CONTROL MODULE); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 136,000.

• 07/26/2007· SEATSFire

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A WARNING FROM THE COMPUTER TO ENGAGE HIS SEAT BELT. THE SEAT BELTS WERE ALREADY ENGAGED, HOWEVER, HE CONTINUED TO RECEIVE THE MESSAGE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A GLITCH IN THE PROGRAM AND THEY WOULD NEED TO SERVICE THE COMPUTER. APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS LATER, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LEATHER AND WIRING IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,200.

• 07/23/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINEFire

  BMW 745I 2004 ..ERROR CODE FOR HEADLIGHTS APPEAR ON DASH..I WENT AND REPLACE ALL LIGHT BULBS THEN NOTICED ALL THE WIRING IN THE HEADLIGHT UNIT ARE BRIDLE AND BROKEN DOWN CAUSING SHORTAGES AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS...VERY DANGEROUS IF DRIVING CAN ACTUALLY CAUSE A FIRE

• 07/23/2004· POWER TRAIN

  I PURCHASED A 2004 BMW 745LI ON JULY 1, 2004. A WEEK LATER, I WAS CALLED AND TOLD OF THIS RECALL. I'M NOW TOLD THAT IT WILL TAKE A MONTH TO EVEN GET A PART FOR THIS CAR. I FEEL THAT BMW KNEW OF THIS DEFECT PRIOR TOP DELIVERING ME THIS CAR AND THEREFORE, SOLD ME A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, EIF YOUR RECORDS REFLECT WHEN BMW KNEW OF THIS DEFECT.I ALSO DO NOT FEEL THAT A MONTH IS NOT A SUFFICINET TIME TO REPLACE THIS ONE PART. WHEN I CALLED BMW, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CARS REGISTERED IN GERMANY WILL BE REPAIRED FIRST. THIS IS WRONG, WE SHOULD GET BETTER TREATMENT FROM BMW AS WE REPRESENT THEIR LARGEST MARKET SEGMENT. IS THERE ANY PROVISION UNDER OUR LAWS THAT WOULD MAKE THEM HAVE TO EITHER GIVE US PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT OR AT LEAST EQUAL TREATMENT IN EFFECTUATING THESE REPAIRS? I PERSONALLY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THEM EITHER MORE QUICKLY REPAIR MY VEHICLE, OR REPALCE IT, OR RELEASE ME FROM THE LEASE CONTRACT. THEY DON'T SEEM TO WANT TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN TELL ME THEY'RE SORRY. MEANWHILE, I'M PAYING $1,4000 PER RMONTH (ALREADY MADE 2 PAYMENTS) AND HAVEN'T EVEN BEEN ABLE TO PUT 800 MILES ON THE CAR. PERHAPS YOU CAN HELP.*AK

• 07/21/2014· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 760I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIRBAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,250.

• 07/15/2008· STEERING

  WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP ON AN INCLINE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED FULL CHOCKED TO EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL FREEZES AND CANNOT BE TURNED TO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. IT WILL NOT FREE UP UNTIL I SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE AND BACK UP A FEW FEET. AT THAT POINT IT WILL UNFREEZE WITH A JERK AND OPERATE CORRECTLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON ABOUT 6 OCCASIONS. I NOTIFIED THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, USED WITH 52,000 MILES. IT NOW HAS 55,000 MILES AND I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 9 MONTHS. THE DEALERS SERVICE SHOP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND COULD NOT FIND ANY ERROR CODES IN THE OBD. I BELIEVE THAT THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE ON AN INCLINE, WHICH IS THE CASE WITH MY DRIVEWAY, WHERE IT HAPPENED 4 OF THE 6 TIMES. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENCE HAPPENED ON MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY WHICH ALSO HAS A MODERATELY STEEP INCLINE. (*** UPDATE***) LOCAL DEALERSHIP CONTACTED THE FACTORY IN GERMANY AND WAS TOLD THAT A FIX WAS TO INSTALL 'BUMPERS" ON EACH END OF THE STEERING MECHANISM THAT WOULD PREVENT THE WHEELS FROM TURNING TOO FAR AND RIDING UP ONTO THE FACTORY INSTALLED STEERING STOPS. THE DEALER OBTAINED THE "BUMPERS" AND INSTALLED THEM AT NO CHARGE. I WAS TOLD THAT I'D RECEIVE PAPERWORK ON THE MODIFICATIONS SOON. *TR

• 07/15/2005· SEATS

  DRIVER'S SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR MALFUNCTION. THERE WERE NO UNTOWARD INCIDENTS EXCEPT THAT I HAD TO DRIVE ABT. 65 MILES, MISS MY OFFICE HOURS, UNABLE TO USE THE CAR FEARLESSLY, AND PUT MYSELF IN DANGER.THE RECALL IN YOUR REPORT DID NOT INCLUDE MY CHASSIS NUMBER(DS54945), WHICH I PURCHASED 23 NOV 2004.

• 07/11/2011· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  IN REFERENCE TO BMW 760LI FUEL PUMP. RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE MINE, AFTER CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE THE HIGHWAY. CAR ALSO WAS HARD TO START, HAD TO CRANK ALONG TIME TO BUILD UP ENOUGH PRSSURE TO START. PROBLEM BECAME WORSE OVER TIME. *TT

• 07/09/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE

  WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD BANG OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. A DAY LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINED ON. DEALER FOUND THAT THE FENDER COVER CAME OFF, AND COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON.*AK

• 07/06/2012· STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS DRIVING WHEN THE DYNAMIC DRIVE INACTIVE SYMBOL ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THIS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE GEAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

• 06/24/2008· STEERING

  WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP ON AN INCLINE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED FULL CHOCKED TO EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL FREEZES AND CANNOT BE TURNED TO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. IT WILL NOT FREE UP UNTIL I SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE AND BACK UP A FEW FEET. AT THAT POINT IT WILL UNFREEZE WITH A JERK AND OPERATE CORRECTLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON ABOUT 6 OCCASIONS. I NOTIFIED THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, USED WITH 52,000 MILES. IT NOW HAS 55,000 MILES AND I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 9 MONTHS. THE DEALERS SERVICE SHOP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND COULD NOT FIND ANY ERROR CODES IN THE OBD. I BELIEVE THAT THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE ON AN INCLINE, WHICH IS THE CASE WITH MY DRIVEWAY, WHERE IT HAPPENED 4 OF THE 6 TIMES. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENCE HAPPENED ON MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY WHICH ALSO HAS A MODERATELY STEEP INCLINE. *TR

• 06/20/2011· AIR BAGS

  OWNER OF '04 745I AS OF 4/8/11. LAST MONTH RECEIVED NOTICE STATING "DEFAULT IN DRIVER RESTRAINT SYSTEM & AIRBAG ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY & MESSAGE STATING AIRBAG MAY NOT OPERATE." TOOK A TRIP TO MISSOURI LAST WK & RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT THERE'S A FAULT IN PASS RESTRAINT SYSTEM, RED ILLUMINATED LIGHT, AIRBAG MAY NOT OPERATE." BMW STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO HOOK IT UP TO A MACHINE ($225) TO READ THE CODE AND THAT IT MAY BE FROM PEOPLE MOVING AROUND IN THE SEAT AND THAT AFTER RETRIEVING THE CODE, THE LABOR & PARTS COULD RANGE FROM $250-$3000. *TT

• 06/15/2011· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 760LI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLED APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED BOTH HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

• 06/01/2016· ENGINE

  COOLANT TRANSFER PIPE SEAL IS MADE OF IMPROPER MATERIAL THAT IS NOT COMPATBLE WITH HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURES. SEAL FAILS CAUSING LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT. SEAL FAILS AT 40,000 TO 110,000 MILES. REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $6,000 BECAUSE ENGINE MUST BE TAKEN APART TO REPLACE THE SEAL. MY SEAL FAILED AT 104,000 MILES. LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL DUE TO COOLANT LEAK ONTO SERPENTINE BELT.

• 06/01/2016· ENGINE

  ENGINE VALVE GUIDE SEALS MADE OF IMPROPER MATERIAL THAT FAILS CAUSING OIL LEAKAGE INTO EXHAUST, FOULING OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER, FAILURE TO PASS INSPECTION AND POLLUTION. THE VALVE GUIDE SEALS ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURES WHICH CAUSES THE SEALS TO FAIL AT 80,000 TO 120,000 MILES. MY SEALS FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 95,000 MILES CAUSING OIL CONSUMPTION IN EXCESS OF 1 QUART PER THOUSAND MILES. REPLACEMENT OF THE VALVE SEALS REQUIRES EXTENSIVE ENGINE READ DOWN AND COSTS APPROXIMATELY $9,000 TO REPAIR.