Total Complaints
57 filings
BMW 745LI · model year
57 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2002BMW745LI carries 57 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 745LI is electrical system with 10 filings, followed by air bags (9) and power train:automatic transmission (6). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2002 745LI. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
57 filings
Crashes Reported
6 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 10 |
| AIR BAGS | 9 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 6 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 3 |
| SEAT BELTS | 3 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
| ENGINE | 2 |
| STEERING:RACK AND PINION | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS | 1 |
| STRUCTURE | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY | 1 |
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP RUNS AT A ROTATIONAL SPEED THAT COULD RESULT IN REDUCED LUBRICATION OF ITS INTERNAL COMPONENTS. OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, WEAR-INDUCED INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE FUEL PUMP COULD RESULT IN INSUFFICIENT FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE WHEN THE FUEL T
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO A SOFTWARE ERROR, A DESYNCHRONIZATION OF THE VALVETRONIC MOTORS FOR ENGINE BANKS I AND II MAY OCCUR. IF THIS OCCURS, THE ENGINE COULD STALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SBSR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MODULE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V150000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. AN UNNAMED DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND VERIFIED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
Mileage: 89,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP DID NOT CIRCULATE COOLANT TO THE MOTOR. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V150000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NEVER INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND CAUSED THE MOTOR TO MISFIRE. ONCE THE VEHICLE MISFIRED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V240000 (ENGINE, ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
Mileage: 108,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP DID NOT CIRCULATE COOLANT TO THE MOTOR. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V150000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NEVER INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND CAUSED THE MOTOR TO MISFIRE. ONCE THE VEHICLE MISFIRED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V240000 (ENGINE, ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
Mileage: 108,000
CAR STALLED AND ALL THE LIGHTS ARE FLASHING ON THE DASH... WILL NOT START BACK UP... ALMOST HAD A SERIOUS WRECK AT 75MPH CAR JUST WENT OFF...HAD NO STEERING AND BARLEY MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD... DAMAGED THE FRONT END AFTER HITTING THE CURB TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY TO SAFETY... HAD IT TOWED HOME THEN TO A BMW DEALER WHO TOLD ME MY CASS WENT OUT AND THE COMPUTER WAS NOT RESPONDING AND COULD BE MANY THINGS TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ME OVER $4K TO FIX THE CAR... I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME AND IT SITS IN MY BACK YARD NOW AND HAS BEEN SITTING THERE FOR ALMOST A YEAR... AND I AM SO TIRED OF ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR... I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING MYSELF TO FIX IT.. AND REALLY DON'T HAVE $4K TO GIVE TO A DEALER TO FIX IT... I WISH BMW WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS LIKE TAKE THE CAR BACK AND PAY ME FOR ALL THE MONEY I HAVE PUT IN THIS CAR... ITS A BEAUTIFUL CAR BUT HAS MANY PROBLEMS.. MANY MORE THAN I CAN AFFORD
Mileage: 180,425
CAR STALLED AND ALL THE LIGHTS ARE FLASHING ON THE DASH... WILL NOT START BACK UP... ALMOST HAD A SERIOUS WRECK AT 75MPH CAR JUST WENT OFF...HAD NO STEERING AND BARLEY MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD... DAMAGED THE FRONT END AFTER HITTING THE CURB TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY TO SAFETY... HAD IT TOWED HOME THEN TO A BMW DEALER WHO TOLD ME MY CASS WENT OUT AND THE COMPUTER WAS NOT RESPONDING AND COULD BE MANY THINGS TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ME OVER $4K TO FIX THE CAR... I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME AND IT SITS IN MY BACK YARD NOW AND HAS BEEN SITTING THERE FOR ALMOST A YEAR... AND I AM SO TIRED OF ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR... I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING MYSELF TO FIX IT.. AND REALLY DON'T HAVE $4K TO GIVE TO A DEALER TO FIX IT... I WISH BMW WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS LIKE TAKE THE CAR BACK AND PAY ME FOR ALL THE MONEY I HAVE PUT IN THIS CAR... ITS A BEAUTIFUL CAR BUT HAS MANY PROBLEMS.. MANY MORE THAN I CAN AFFORD
Mileage: 180,425
CAR STALLED AND ALL THE LIGHTS ARE FLASHING ON THE DASH... WILL NOT START BACK UP... ALMOST HAD A SERIOUS WRECK AT 75MPH CAR JUST WENT OFF...HAD NO STEERING AND BARLEY MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD... DAMAGED THE FRONT END AFTER HITTING THE CURB TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY TO SAFETY... HAD IT TOWED HOME THEN TO A BMW DEALER WHO TOLD ME MY CASS WENT OUT AND THE COMPUTER WAS NOT RESPONDING AND COULD BE MANY THINGS TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ME OVER $4K TO FIX THE CAR... I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME AND IT SITS IN MY BACK YARD NOW AND HAS BEEN SITTING THERE FOR ALMOST A YEAR... AND I AM SO TIRED OF ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR... I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING MYSELF TO FIX IT.. AND REALLY DON'T HAVE $4K TO GIVE TO A DEALER TO FIX IT... I WISH BMW WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS LIKE TAKE THE CAR BACK AND PAY ME FOR ALL THE MONEY I HAVE PUT IN THIS CAR... ITS A BEAUTIFUL CAR BUT HAS MANY PROBLEMS.. MANY MORE THAN I CAN AFFORD
Mileage: 180,425
I CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA JUST RECENTLY REGARDING THE AIRBAG SENSOR PROBLEM SINCE WE KEEP SPENDING MONEY ON THIS CAR SINCE THE FIRST DAY WE GOT IT NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE THEM TO PURCHASED THIS CAR BACK FROM ME SINCE ALL I HAD IS MONEY LOSSES AND AGGRAVATION WITH THIS VEHICLE.
I CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA JUST RECENTLY REGARDING THE AIRBAG SENSOR PROBLEM SINCE WE KEEP SPENDING MONEY ON THIS CAR SINCE THE FIRST DAY WE GOT IT NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE THEM TO PURCHASED THIS CAR BACK FROM ME SINCE ALL I HAD IS MONEY LOSSES AND AGGRAVATION WITH THIS VEHICLE.
I CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA JUST RECENTLY REGARDING THE AIRBAG SENSOR PROBLEM SINCE WE KEEP SPENDING MONEY ON THIS CAR SINCE THE FIRST DAY WE GOT IT NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE THEM TO PURCHASED THIS CAR BACK FROM ME SINCE ALL I HAD IS MONEY LOSSES AND AGGRAVATION WITH THIS VEHICLE.
WE HAVE BEING HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SAFETY ISSUES OF THIS CAR, SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL BE FINE AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT DIES COMPLETLY LEAVING YOU STRANDED, THE CAR WILL CRANK OVER AND WONT START. WE HAVE TAKING TO THE SHOP AND WE HAVE EMAILS FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE AND THEY ADVICE THE REPAIR SHOP TO REPLACE BATTERY, FUEL PUMP, AND SOME MODULATORS AND THE PROBLEM STILL NOT FIX. THIS CAR IS BEING A MONEY PIT. THE CAR WAS TOWED AGAIN TO THE BMW SERVICE DEALERSHIP TO GET DIAGNOSED AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO IN THIS BMW BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES, AIRBAG LIGHT WILL COME ON AS WELL. I USED TO OWN A MERCEDES BENZ E430 AND I NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT. MY HUSBAND LIKES BMW'S, BUT THERE IS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS ONE AFTER ANOTHER VERY FRUSTRATING. MAYBE WE GOT A LEMON CAR ALL ALONE AND WE HAVE BEING PAYING THE PRICE EVER SINCE.
WE HAVE BEING HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SAFETY ISSUES OF THIS CAR, SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL BE FINE AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT DIES COMPLETLY LEAVING YOU STRANDED, THE CAR WILL CRANK OVER AND WONT START. WE HAVE TAKING TO THE SHOP AND WE HAVE EMAILS FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE AND THEY ADVICE THE REPAIR SHOP TO REPLACE BATTERY, FUEL PUMP, AND SOME MODULATORS AND THE PROBLEM STILL NOT FIX. THIS CAR IS BEING A MONEY PIT. THE CAR WAS TOWED AGAIN TO THE BMW SERVICE DEALERSHIP TO GET DIAGNOSED AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO IN THIS BMW BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES, AIRBAG LIGHT WILL COME ON AS WELL. I USED TO OWN A MERCEDES BENZ E430 AND I NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT. MY HUSBAND LIKES BMW'S, BUT THERE IS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS ONE AFTER ANOTHER VERY FRUSTRATING. MAYBE WE GOT A LEMON CAR ALL ALONE AND WE HAVE BEING PAYING THE PRICE EVER SINCE.
WE HAVE BEING HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SAFETY ISSUES OF THIS CAR, SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL BE FINE AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT DIES COMPLETLY LEAVING YOU STRANDED, THE CAR WILL CRANK OVER AND WONT START. WE HAVE TAKING TO THE SHOP AND WE HAVE EMAILS FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE AND THEY ADVICE THE REPAIR SHOP TO REPLACE BATTERY, FUEL PUMP, AND SOME MODULATORS AND THE PROBLEM STILL NOT FIX. THIS CAR IS BEING A MONEY PIT. THE CAR WAS TOWED AGAIN TO THE BMW SERVICE DEALERSHIP TO GET DIAGNOSED AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO IN THIS BMW BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES, AIRBAG LIGHT WILL COME ON AS WELL. I USED TO OWN A MERCEDES BENZ E430 AND I NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT. MY HUSBAND LIKES BMW'S, BUT THERE IS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS ONE AFTER ANOTHER VERY FRUSTRATING. MAYBE WE GOT A LEMON CAR ALL ALONE AND WE HAVE BEING PAYING THE PRICE EVER SINCE.
THE SEAT BELTS IN THE CAR HAS NOT TIGHTENING TENSION. THE RED LIGHTS ARE ON INDICATING THAT, FAULT IN PASS. - RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. FASTEN AND CONTINUE TO WEAR BELTS.
THE SEAT BELTS IN THE CAR HAS NOT TIGHTENING TENSION. THE RED LIGHTS ARE ON INDICATING THAT, FAULT IN PASS. - RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. FASTEN AND CONTINUE TO WEAR BELTS.
I HAVE REPLACED MY ANTENATOR TWICE NOW, WHEN I REPLACED IT THE FIRST TIME MY GENERATOR LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND OFF SO I REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND IT WAS STILL DOING IT, SO I REPLACED IT THE 2ND TIME AND NOW IT DOES NOT LIGHT UP THE GENERATOR LIGHT BUT EVERY OTHER LIGHT COMES ON, LOOKS LIKE A XMAS TREE ON MY DASH...ALSO MY HOOD IS LOCKED AND MY HOOD LIGHT POPS ON OFTEN.I HAD A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED AND REGISTERED AND STILL ACTS UP.EVERY NOW AND AGAIN IN THE MORNINGS MY CAR WONT START HAVE TO JUMP START IT..JUS DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO BMW A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM, SYSTEM NOT CHARGING CORRECTLY...PLEASE HELP
Mileage: 148,000
I HAVE READ THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ON SOME MODEL OF THE BMW. AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY HAVEN'T THE NHTSA HAVEN'T PUT OUT A BULLETIN ON THE BMW 745LI ABOUT THE SEATS BLETS AND THE AIRBAGS. WHEN THERE ARE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT WE ARE DRIVING A VERY UNSAFE CAR. NOW ON MY VEHICLE THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACK. AND I AM UN ABLE TO CARRY ANYONE IN THE FRONT SEAT. ON THE DRIVER SIDE I HAD THAT BROBLEM TO BUT THE SEAT BELT IS ABLE TO FASTEN. THIS HAPPEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING.
Mileage: 110,105
I HAVE READ THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ON SOME MODEL OF THE BMW. AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY HAVEN'T THE NHTSA HAVEN'T PUT OUT A BULLETIN ON THE BMW 745LI ABOUT THE SEATS BLETS AND THE AIRBAGS. WHEN THERE ARE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT WE ARE DRIVING A VERY UNSAFE CAR. NOW ON MY VEHICLE THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACK. AND I AM UN ABLE TO CARRY ANYONE IN THE FRONT SEAT. ON THE DRIVER SIDE I HAD THAT BROBLEM TO BUT THE SEAT BELT IS ABLE TO FASTEN. THIS HAPPEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING.
Mileage: 110,105
THE AIRBAG AND SEATBELT TENSIONER WAS RECALLED FOR SAME MANUFACTURER FOR CARS FROM 2004 AND UP. THE 2002 AND 2003 MODEL HAD THE SAME ISSUE BUT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE LIGHT FOR THE SEATBELT TENSIONER AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG CAME ON. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN SINCE AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT TIGHTEN IN AN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.
Mileage: 101,000
THE AIRBAG AND SEATBELT TENSIONER WAS RECALLED FOR SAME MANUFACTURER FOR CARS FROM 2004 AND UP. THE 2002 AND 2003 MODEL HAD THE SAME ISSUE BUT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE LIGHT FOR THE SEATBELT TENSIONER AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG CAME ON. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN SINCE AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT TIGHTEN IN AN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.
Mileage: 101,000
THE AIRBAG AND SEATBELT TENSIONER WAS RECALLED FOR SAME MANUFACTURER FOR CARS FROM 2004 AND UP. THE 2002 AND 2003 MODEL HAD THE SAME ISSUE BUT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE LIGHT FOR THE SEATBELT TENSIONER AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG CAME ON. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN SINCE AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT TIGHTEN IN AN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.
Mileage: 101,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.