10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
78,968 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.

2004 BMW 745 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2004 BMW 745 Owner Comments

problem #15

Mar 282022

745

  • miles

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

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.

- Atlanta, TX, USA

problem #14

Feb 022018

745

  • 160,000 miles
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.

- Dover, NH, USA

problem #13

Dec 152014

745 8-cyl

  • 73,900 miles
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.

- Northville, MI, USA

problem #12

Dec 052014

745 8-cyl

  • 44,000 miles

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

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.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #11

Mar 172014

745

  • 117,000 miles
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.

- Delray Beach , FL, USA

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problem #10

Oct 062010

745 8-cyl

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 745li. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph and attempting to merge onto the highway, the transmission safe mode activated as the vehicle decelerated independently. The contact also mentioned that the dynamic drive warning light activated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure however, the contact stated that the transmission control module could possibly become defective. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance because the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 94,000 and the current mileage was 120,000.

- Summerville, SC, USA

problem #9

Jun 012012

745 8-cyl

  • 180,000 miles

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

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.

- Lisbon, NH, USA

problem #8

Jun 012012

745 8-cyl

  • 79,550 miles
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.

- Aurora , IL, USA

problem #7

Apr 112012

745

  • 129,000 miles
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.

- Foresthill , MD, USA

problem #6

Mar 122012

745

  • 105,000 miles
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.

- Marrow, GA, USA

problem #5

May 012012

745

  • miles

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

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.

- Morgan Hill, CA, USA

problem #4

Dec 282011

745

  • 94,000 miles
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.

- Rodchester, NY, USA

problem #3

Jul 012011

745

  • 80,071 miles
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.

- St Petersburg , FL, USA

problem #2

Sep 052011

745

  • miles
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.

- Snellville, GA, USA

problem #1

May 212009

745

  • 28,000 miles
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.

- Davie, FL, USA

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