NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 BMW 7 Series. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 745LI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V379000 (Seats) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 198,000.
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.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745LI. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE MANIFOLD. ALSO, THE WHEELS AND AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF STRATHAM (71 PORTSMOUTH AVENUE, STRATHAM, NH 03885, (603) 772-0000), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER REFUSED TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO PURCHASE AN AFTERMARKET WARRANTY. THE CONTACT DECLINED THE RECOMMENDATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
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.
I HAVE BEEN GETTING THIS ERROR IN MY IDRIVE SYSTEM: "FAULT IN PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. FASTEN AND CONTINUE TO WEAR BELTS. PLEASE CONTACT THE NEAREST BMW CENTER."
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
CAR WAS STATIONARY ON THE SIDE OF THE STREET. I SIMPLY GOT OUT OF MY VEHICLE AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW, IT STARTED ROLLING DOWN THE HILLON ITS OWN. VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THEN HIT A NEARBY WALL. TOTAL LOSS.
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.
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.
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.
LOSS OF ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. HAPPENS WHEN YOU ACCELERATE QUICKLY SPECIALLY WHILE CHANGING THE LANE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES DARK, THEN I NEED TO PULL OVER SHUT THE CAR AND RESTART. WHEN THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT, BASED ON THE DTC CODE, HE FIRST RECOMMENDED CHANGING THE BATTERY, WHICH I DID. THE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME, AND BASED ON THE DTC CODE CHANGED THE ALTERNATOR. AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. BMW REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, THEY SAY THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN DUE TO THE AGE OF THE CAR. I DON'T EXPECT THAT A BMW TRANSMISSION SHOULD GO BAD UNDER 73K MILES, EVEN IF THE CAR IS 10+ YEARS OLD. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN IN SNOW/ICE, STAYS IN GARAGE FROM OCT - APRIL. IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT BMW REFUSES TO ASSIST WITH. HAVE BEEN READING VARIOUS FORUMS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILSAFE MESSAGE COMES. I WOULD LIKE BMW TO STEP UP AND TAKE THE OWNERSHIP OF GETTING THIS ISSUE FIXED. *TR
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
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.
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.
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.
I AM A MECHANIC. I HAVE 2CARS DOING THE SAME THING. ONE IS MY OWN CAR.WHEN THIS CAR GETS HOT IF THE TRANSMISSION IS IN PARK AND YOU REV IT UP THE CAR WILL GO TO NEUTRAL AND WANT TO GO FORWARD. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. NO ONE SEEMS TO HAVE HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM AND I HAVE TWO CARS DOING THIS. IT IS DANGEROUS SINCE IT DOESN'T HOLD PARK UNLESS YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF. I AM A MEMBER OF ATRA AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG EITHER. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 7451. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V344000 (ENGINE) AND 03V240000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745I. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT BOTH SEAT MAT SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
I HAVE A 2004 BMW 745I, I NOTICED A LOT OF SMOKE COMING FROM TAIL PIPE WHEN THE CAR IS IDLING/DRIVING. I TOOK IT IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AT A REPLICABLE REPAIR SHOP, AND I WAS TOLD THE VALVE GUIDE SEAL'S WHERE WORN AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE VALVE GUIDE SEALS BECOMES HARD OVER TIME AND DOESN'T PROVIDE A PROPER SEAL FOR THE VALVE STEM'S. THIS ALLOWS OIL TO PASS THROUGH THE VALVE STEM SEALS AND ENTER THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER AND THE EXHAUST.( NOT ONLY DOES THIS CAUSE POLLUTION) IT DAMAGES THE CAT CONVERTER THEREFORE YOU CAN NOT PASS A SMOG TEST. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE BY BMW, BMW REPAIR SHOPS, AND CERTIFIED MECHANIC ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. I CONTACTED BMW CORPORATE OFFICE REGARDING THE PROBLEM, I WAS THEN CONTACTED BACK BY [XXX] WITH BMW EXECUTIVE CUSTOMER CARE. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO TAKE MY CAR TO BMW OF ONTARIO TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC, BECAUSE THEY DON'T EXCEPT THIRD PARTY OPINIONS. BMW OF ONTARIO CONTACT ME TO TELL ME IT WILL BE $6,500.00 BECAUSE THEY NEED TO REMOVE THE ENGINE AND TEAR IT DOWN FOR INSPECTION. I WAS LATER CONTACT BY [XXX], WHO TOLD ME THAT HER FIELD MANAGER DENIED ANY FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC OR REPAIRS ON MY CAR. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS VERY INEVITABLE ISSUE THAT HAPPENS TO 5,6,7 AND X SERIES BMW MODELS THAT ARE ON THE ROAD CAUSING NASTY POLLUTION. SEE LINK'S BELOW FOR EXAMPLE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=DVO85LMZMFM HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=S-UZ__R1AOK HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=VZEZRAOIHKY INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
MY VEHICLE IS DISPLAYING THE EXACT SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED IN YOUR PREVIOUS RECALLS (04V344000 AND 03V240000). THE CAR STALLS AND WON'T RESTART, CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS GO CRAZY, TRANSMISSION FAILSAFE AND STABILITY CONTROL WARNINGS COME ON, VALVETRONIC DESYNCHRONIZATION, ECT. WENT TO A BMW DEALER AND THEY DENIED EITHER OF THESE RECALLS EXISTED. CALLED BMW CORPORATE AND THEY SAID MY CAR IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALLS, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY NOT TRUE CONSIDERING THE PROBLEMS IT HAS AND THE UNCANNY RESEMBLANCE TO YOUR RECALL DESCRIPTIONS. BMW HAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE, CAN YOU? *TR
THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG CAME ON AND THE TENSION IN THE SEAT BELT IS NON-EXISTENT. *TR
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.
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
I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY GOT HARD AND WENT TO THE FLOOR. BRAKES WOULD BE SOFT INITIALLY AND AS PRESSURE WAS CONTINUED WOULD GET HARD AND REQUIRED SUSTAINED INTENSE EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY BMW INVOLVING THE BOOSTER AND THEY CLAIM TO HAVE INSPECTED VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM IN 2011 AND IT DID NOT REQUIRE BEING FIXED. THIS WAS BEFORE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER. THEY NOW REFUSE TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT OBVIOUSLY HAS NOT BEEN APPROPRIATELY ADDRESSED BY BMW. SADLY BMW PRIDES ITSELF IN GOOD BRAKES BUT REFUSES TO ADEQUATELY ADDRESS A PROBLEM THEY IDENTIFIED. IT WAS LISTED BY BMW AS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE ON THEIR WEBSITE. 10V44660000 THEY SAY IT HAS ALREADY BEEN FIXED. IT HAS NOT AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BECAUSE OF THE SERIOUS SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. *TR
I BOUGHT A 2004 BMW 760I ON 4,23,2013 WITH A 132530 MILES FROM A USED CAR DEALER IN RENO NV , TWO DAYS AFTER BUYING THE CAR I NOTICE WHEN I TURN ON THE CAR IT WOULD IDLE RUFF , THE ENGINE WOULD REV IT SELF AND THE CAR WOULD TURN OFF IT SELF SOMETIMES , WHILE SOME TIME YOU TURN ON THE CAR AND EVERYTHING WORKS FINE THE BIGGEST ISSUES WITH THE CAR IS WHEN YOU PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE GAS YOU NEVER KNOW HOW THE CAR IS GOING TO RESPOND SOME TIME IT MOVES OFF TO FAST SOME TIMES TO SLOW , SOME TIME WHEN YOU STOP AT A STOP SIGN THE CAR TURN IT SELF OFF , THE FORTH DAY AFTER OWNING THE CAR I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 15MPH AND THE CAR TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING , I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON DRIVE AROUND THE PARKING LOT TILL I FELT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE HOME WHICH WAS ABOUT A MILE AWAY , ON MY WAY DRIVING HOME GOING ABOUT 40-50MPH THE CAR TURNED OFF WHILE GOING AROUND A SIGHT CORNER , I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP AND COULD NOT MOVE , THE CAR WENT STRAIGHT ACROSS THE STREET AND STOP IN SOME DIRT AM LUCKY THERE WERE NO CARS COMING , I THEN TURN IT BACK ON AND DROVE THE NEXT QUARTER MILE HOME , THE NEXT DAY I TURN IT ON AND DROVE IT BACK TO THE DEALER ABOUT 50 MILES FROM MY HOUSE AND THE CAR HAD NO PROBLEM GETTING THERE , THE CAR IS AT BMW RIGHT NOW AND THERE TELLING ME ITS A FUEL PRESSURE PROBLEM, I ALSO DID ALLOT OF RESEARCH ON LINE AND FOUND OUT ITS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL BMW, ALLOT OF PEOPLE IS BIN HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM FROM THE SAME YEAR THE CAR CAME OUT , I LOVE BMW'S I STILL GOT MY 01 BMW X5 BUT THE 7 SERIES THEY ARE NOT A SAFE AND RELIABLE CAR , PEOPLE PAY ALLOT OF MONEY FOR THESE CARS AND BMW NEED TO TAKE ACTION FOR THERE FAULTY DESIGN. *TR
VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND I HAVE TO ADD MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAD A RECALL CAMPAIGN NOVEMBER 2010 NO. 10V-446: BRAKE VACUUM PUMP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FIELDS BMW AND THEY PROVIDED ME WITH DOCUMENTATION STATING; "11/30/2010 0034910100 CK BRAKE BOOSTER LINE N62. B34, 04, 10". I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE, AND I COULD PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC, AND THE EXPENSES FOR THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO BE REPLACED. I HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO A BMW TECH FOR A FULL DIAGNOSTIC, AND HE INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE ABOVE, AND IT'S DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE CAR. YOUR ASSISTANCE REGARDING THIS MATTER WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
ON THE DASH BOARD THE LOUD WARNING LIGHT COMES ON: DRIVER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT AND PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT. I KNOW THAT SEVERAL 2002-2008 BMW 7-SERIES GOT RECALLED REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE AND MANUFACTURE OFFERED 10 YEAR WARRANTY FROM IN SERVICE DATE REGARDING THIS ISSUE. MINE IS A 2004 745LI AND SHOULD BE ONE OF THE RECALLED ONE. CALLED THE MANUFACTURE AND THEY SAD THE VIN NUMBER THAT MY CAR HAS NEVER HAVE BEEN RECALLED WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS ON AND I THINK THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. IS A SHAME TO SPEND SO MUCH MONEY FOR THIS VEHICLES AND THEY CAN'T OFFER A SAFE DRIVE. THANKS *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 760LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IDLED ABNORMALLY HIGH AND WOULD DRIVE ROUGHLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED ALL TWELVE FUEL INJECTORS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 159,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PRIVATE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM THE VACUUM PUMP. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT REPLACING THE HOSE WAS ONLY A TEMPORARY REPAIR THAT CAUSED FUTURE PROBLEMS TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE HOSE TO THE ENGINE WAS FRACTURED, CAUSING THE OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
DRIVING AT 45MPH WHEN CAR STALLED. DIFFICULT TO START. DROVE 6 TO 6.5 MILES TO HOME VIA I-85 WHERE CAR STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES INCLUDING COMPLETE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. LOST ALL POWER TO STEERING CAUSING GREAT CONCERN FOR SAFETY. 3 MONTHS AND ~$10,000 LATER, BOTH HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. GREATER CONCERN IS THE VOLUME OF INCIDENTS REPORTED ON BMW FORUMS RELATED TO HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE GOING BACK TO 2003. PLEASE SEE THE E65 FORUM ON THE BIMMERFEST WEB SITE AT THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS REPORTING THE FAILURES OF THE HPFP'S AND THE CONCERN FOR SAFETY. THESE FAILURES MAKE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE ON A CONSISTENT BASIS. *TR
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
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
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
WE WERE DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM LIGHTS AND MESSAGE CAME ON. I HAD THE CAR DIAGNOSED BY MY LOCAL BMW DEALER WHO PIN POINTED THE PROBLEM TO THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. I AM NOT SURE HOW THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAULT IS CURRENTLY COVERED UNDER A TEN WARRANTY AND I AM NOT SURE WHY THE BMW DEALER WOULD TELL ME THE PROBLEM WAS ELSE WHERE WITH A PRICE TAG OF A 1K PROBLEM. I NEED TO KNOW FROM BMW NORTH AMERICA HOW IS THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM TIED TO THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. I WAS TOLD EVERYTHING RUNS THROUGH THIS SENSOR. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE PARK SENSOR AND TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACCUM PUMP LEAKING. CHIRPING SOUND DURING IDLE. SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V446000. *JS
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745 LI. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE DECREASED SPEED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 129,860.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745LI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITH MUCH HESITATION FROM THE ENGINE. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT THEN ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE POWER ASSIST WARNING SIGNAL ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED TWO RECALLS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM) AND 04V344000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN EITHER RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN AN EXTENSIVE OIL LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DUPLICATED OR DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT ALSO DESCRIBED A BURNING METAL AND OIL ODOR IN ADDITION TO A WHILE CLOUD OF SMOKE. THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WERE REPAIRED TWICE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ALTERNATOR, ALTERNATOR SEAL GASKET, VALVE AND SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE MULTIPLE TIMES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. ..UPDATED 05/20/14 *BF UPDATED 06/02/2014 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. AFTER ADDING ANTIFREEZE, THE FLUIDS WENT RIGHT TO THE PIPE AND SPILLED ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PIPE WAS FRACTURED FROM THE RADIATOR TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTED OUT OF PARK AND INTO REVERSE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS BUT THE DIAGNOSTIC FAILED TO PRODUCE ANY FAILURE CODES. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE. SHE IMMEDIATELY WENT OUTSIDE AND DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE HAD WENT INTO REVERSE ON ITS OWN AND HIT THE GARAGE DOOR. UPDATED 05/03/12
2004 BMW 745I. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE RAN THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY RUNNING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, AND NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED INVESTIGATION NUMBER PE11025. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND DECREASED HIS DRIVABILITY. IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT INTO DIFFERENT GEARS UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER, NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000.
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.
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.
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
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