NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 BMW 7 Series. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE NECK WAS SEPARATING FROM THE VACUUM PUMP WHICH CAUSED A LEAK. THE ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COSTS. THE REPAIRS UNDER THE RECALL WERE MADE BUT NONE OF THE ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
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
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.
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
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
I JUST BOUGHT A 2003 BMW 745I WITH 63K ON THE DASH. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR TWO MONTHS AND THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE. I HAVE JUST PURCHASED A EW. BUT WHAT CAN I DO BECAUSE THIS IS NOT RIGHT AND I BOUGHT IT FROM A BMW DEALER. THEY SAID THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED A GOOD TO GO. BAD BUSINESS AND THIS IS A RIP OF FOR ABOUT 7K FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR
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.
COOLANT LEAKS AFTER 92K MILES. LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON BMW 745LI. *TR
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING RECURRING FAILURES IN WHICH THE DASHBOARD WOULD DISPLAY AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION MESSAGE BEFORE STALLING. THE FAILURES OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD BE PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED. AFTER SOME OF THE FAILURES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V240000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,580.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 760LI. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLANT SERVICE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR UNKNOWN REPAIRS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER YET THE CHECK ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLANT SERVICE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,170 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
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.
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALARM WOULD ACTIVATE ON ITS OWN. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FOR NO REASON. THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WOULD FLASH ON AND OFF AS IF THERE WERE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHENEVER HE WOULD STOP THE VEHICLE OR DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER WOULD NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO ACCESS THE TRUNK LID WHEN USING THE REMOTE OR WHEN MANUALLY ATTEMPTING TO OPEN. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE SECURELY WITHOUT EXERTING FORCE. ALSO, THE HEADLAMP LENSES ILLUMINATED DIMLY WHENEVER ACTIVATED AT NIGHT, DISTORTING THE CONTACT'S VISION OF THE ROADWAY. THE HEADLAMP LENSES WERE REPAIRED BY A DEALER BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE DEFECTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 7/10/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR WAS REPLACED BY BMW. HOWEVER, THE HEADLIGHT STILL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
2003 BMW 745I WITH BRAKE FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT TWO WARNING LIGHTS FLASHED AND THEY WERE "WARNING-BRAKE FLUID-PLEASE", AND "BRAKE FAILURE". HE STATES THAT THE DEALER TIGHTENED THE CALIPER BLEEDER SCREW. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE PREVIOUS DEALER WHO WORKED ON HIS VEHICLE NEGLECTED TO TIGHTEN THE CALIPER BLEEDER SCREW FOR THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS BRAKE FLUID. THE CONSUMER HIT A CURB IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS SOME DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.*JB
FACSIMILE FROM SENATOR ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT, REGARDING BRAKE FAILURE OF HIS 2003 BMW 745I. CONSTITUENT IS ASKING FOR REVIEW/INVESTIGATION OF BMW OF SAN FRANCISCO AND THE BMW 7 SERIES AUTOMOBILES. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE CONSUMER STATED A MESSAGE FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD WHICH SAID WARNING-BRAKE-FLUID- PLEASE STOP SAFELY. SHORTLY AFTER THAT READING, ANOTHER MESSAGE FLASHED BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PREVIOUS DEALER NEGLECTED TO TIGHTEN THE CALIPER BLEEDER SCREW. THIS ALLOWED ALL OF THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. THE CONSUMER STRUCK A STATIONARY OBJECT AS A RESULT OF THE DEALERS NEGLIGENCE. *JB
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 745LI. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 5 MPH SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED; THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 MILES. IN 2006 WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED, THE RADIO WAS ON, AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR 4 TO 5 DAYS IN ORDER TO UPDATE THE SOFTWARE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE SHIFT CONTROL FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, AND THE CONTACT DIDN'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING. SHE WAS STRANDED 3 TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY, AND THERE WERE RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AFTER THE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED. RECALL# 03V240000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000.*AK
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
MANUFACTURE SUPPLIED CELL PHONE IS OBSOLETE WITHIN THREE YEARS AFTER BUYING THE CAR. *TR
PAINT ON INDOOR TRIM PEELS OFF. ANY LOW END TOY CAR INDOOR PAINT STICKS LONGER THAN THIS CAR. BIG MONEY WASTE. *TR
ON MARCH 24TH 2005 A DUNLOP (GOODYEAR) M3 WINTERSPORT SNOW TIRE LITERALLY DISINTEGRATED ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALLS AND DESTROYED MY INNER WHEEL WELL OF MY 2003 BMW 745LI. IF NOT FOR THE OBSERVANT DRIVER TO MY RIGHT WHO KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. JUST TIRES THREW OUT THE TREAD PORTION BUT KEPT THE SIDEWALLS DESPITE MY ASKING THEM TO HOLD ALL PIECES FOR 1 DAY TILL I COULD GET BACK THERE (BLOOMINGDALE, IL.) GOODYEAR PICKED UP WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE SIDEWALLS AND DECIDED IT WAS A TIRE PRESSURE ISSUE??? JUST TIRES INSPECTED THE TIRE AT MY INSISTENCE AND FOUND NO PUNCTURES. ALSO OTHER 3 TIRES WERE INFLATED TO THE CORRECT PRESSURE. GOODYEAR MAY HAVE ISSUES WITH THIS TIRE AND I BELIEVE THEY HAVE A FAUTY PRODUCT. THEY DID NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR. THEY DID GIVE ME A NEW TIRE. THE TIRES WERE ALMOST NEW...MAYBE 4K MILES ON THEM. MIKE DYBAS 847-334-6400
I AM THE FIRST AND ONLY OWNER OF A 2003 BMW 745I. AT FOUR HUNDRED MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED DUE PROBLEMS SHIFTING ETC. AT ROUGHLY 7500 MILES THE CAR WHILE SITTING AT A STOPLIGHT LAUNCHED ITSELF INTO THE REAR END OF A SUV CAUSING VEHICLE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF MY CAR. MY FOOT WAS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE YET IT STILL MOVED. THREE WEKS AGO WHILE COASTING DOWN A STEEP FREEWAY DECLINE, THE ENGINE REVVED TO 5000 RPM- MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN GEAR. BMW HAS HAD THE CAR FOR THEE WEEKS AND CAN FIND NO PROBLEMS AND WISHES TO RETURN IT TO ME. I HAVE LOST ALL CONFIDENCE IN THE VEHICLE AS IT IS A DANGER TO ME, MY FAMILY AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. I AM NOT SURE OF THE EXACT DATES AS I DO NOT HAVE MY PAPER WORK WITH ME, BUT CAN PROVIDE.*AK
WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SURGE FORWARD RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DAMAGING 5 OTHER VEHICLES IN THE PROCESS. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
I LEASE A BMW 745LI. THE LEASE BEGAN MAY 15, 2003. OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS THREE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE LAST TWO WENT FLAT AS A RESULT OF DRIVING AT NIGHT OVER A LOW CURB (A SMALL ISLAND IN THE CENTER OF THE ROAD APPROXIMATELY 4 INCHES HIGH) THAT HAD BEEN INSTALLED SINCE I LAST TRAVELED THAT ROUTE. BOTH TIRES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WENT FLAT. I HAD STOPPED FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT BEHIND TWO OTHER CARS AND DID NOT SEE THE CURB (I HAVE PICTURES). SINCE I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE SPEED OF THE CAR WAS SLOW AS THE TIRES WENT OVER THE CURB. THE TIRES COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $800. OTHER CARS WENT OVER THE SAME CURB WITH NO CONSEQUENCES. I BELIEVE THESE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE OR ARE NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THIS CAR. THE ORIGINAL TIRES WERE 245/50/R18 BRIDGESTONE TURANZA. I'VE REPORTED THIS TO BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE IN NEW JERSEY AND THEY REFUSED TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY OR COMPENSATE ME FOR ALL OR PART OF THE COST.*AK
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MOVE AND HIT A WALL. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
THE SEAT HEATER STARTED TO SMOKE, BURNING A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT. *AK
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
I PURCHASED THE CAR IN KANSAS IN JULY 2003. THE FIRST WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR STALLING OUT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS A DESIGN FEATURE. I MOVED OUT OF THE STATE AND CONTACTED A DEALERSHIP IN THE CORPUS CHRISTI, TX AREA ABOUT THE CONTINUING PROBLEM. OVER THE PAST YEAR I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OCCASSIONS WHEN THE STALLING WAS SUCH THAT THE CAR WOULD FAIL AND PLACE ME AND/OR MY FAMILY IN NEAR ACCIDENTS. I MADE VISITS TO THE TEXAS DEALERSHIP IN NOVEMBER 2003, TWICE IN JANUARY 2004 AND MAY 2004 FOR REPAIRS AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM AND POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WAS DISMISSED AND REPAIR WAS NEVER MADE. IN THE LAST MONTH THE "SAFETY" FEATURE THAT WAS SUPPOSEDLY CAUSING MY PROBLEM WAS "TURNED OFF" TO CURE THE PROBLEM. I NOW FEEL MORE THAN EVER THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE. I HAVE TAKEN THIS ALL THE WAY UP TO THE MANUFACTURER AND STILL NO REPAIR HAS BEEN MADE AND NO OTHER OPTION HAS BEEN GIVEN. THE STATE OF KANSAS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SUGGESTED I CONTACT YOU FOR HELP.*AK
NEW BMW 745I WAS PURCHASED ON OCTOBER 29, 2003. SINCE JANUARY 2004, VEHICLE HAS ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS EXHIBITED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ON EACH OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT VERY HARD SHIFTING, FOLLOWED BY VIOLENT JERKING, HALTING AND DOWNSHIFTING WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEED ON THE STREET OR HIGHWAY, THROWING THE PASSENGERS FORWARD VIOLENTLY. MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION WARNING SOUNDS AND MESSAGES ARE DISPLAYED. LOUD METALLIC GRINDING AND RATTLING NOISES COME FROM THE TRANSMISSION AREA. THE CAR THROWS ITSELF INTO PARK AS THE CAR SLOWS TO MAKE A STOP. MOST RECENTLY, THE CAR THREW ITSELF INTO PARK AT 15 MPH ALMOST CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING BEHIND. EVENTUALLY, THE CAR PUTS ITSELF INTO PARK AND CANNOT BE MOVED. EACH TIME THE CAR HAS HAD TO HAVE BEEN TOWED AWAY. TWICE THE CAR HAS STOPPED IN AN INTERSECTION AND COULD NOT BE MOVED. ON EACH OCCASION, THE DEALER HAS DENIED THERE WAS A PROBLEM, ONLY TO CLAIM UPON MY INSISTENCE THAT THEY LOOK AGAIN THAT THE PROBLEM IS A SOFTWARE OR COMPUTER PROBLEM. ON THE LAST OCCASION, THE DEALER ADMITTED THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
WITHOUT WARNING, THE HOOD LATCH UNLOCKED AND CAUSED THE HOOD TO OPEN. *AK *SC *JB
STEERING MECHANISM ON THE VEHICLE WOULD LOCK UP AT THE END OF THE STEERING ROTATION. (NAR) *PH NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM, RADIO, BUMPER AND WINDOWS WERE DEFECTIVE. *CB
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
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
CAR ROLLS BACKWARD ALTHOUGH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND ENGAGED IN FORWARD DRIVE GEAR. THIS HAS CAUSED NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS BY MY CAR ROLLING BACKWARDS INTO THE ONE BEHIND ME. CARS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS DO NOT ROLL BACKWARD.
THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING 10-15 MPH THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR STARTED FLASHING AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS. *AK *TS *NLM
CONSUMER WAS ADVISED OF A SOFTWARE PROBLEM ON VEHICLE AFTER IT WAS LEASED. (NAR) *LA *CB
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
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAILS FROM BEGINNING. *TR
A DAY AFTER VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, TWO RED LIGHTS WOULD COME ON TO WARN CONSUMER THAT RESTRAINT SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. *LA *MR
WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH TAILGATE UNEXPECTEDLY FELL OFF. THIS ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. *AK
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026