10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
33,109 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 BMW 745 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2003 BMW 745 Owner Comments

problem #7

Mar 302011

745 8-cyl

  • 95,160 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission overheats and stalls. While coming to a stop, the car jerks before the stop feels like a someone ran into my bumper with there car. Transmission overheats per dash warning.

- Hopkins, SC, USA

problem #6

Oct 282010

745

  • 63,000 miles
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.

- Gibsonton, FL, USA

problem #5

Feb 212006

745

  • 49,000 miles
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.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #4

Feb 202005

745 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,900 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Walnut Creek, CA, USA

problem #3

Nov 302004

745

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,300 miles
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.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #2

May 072004

745 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,400 miles
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.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #1

Sep 012003

745 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,000 miles
The consumer stated while traveling 10-15 mph the transmission indicator started flashing and the vehicle was unable to change gears.

- Tarzana, CA, USA

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