2002 BMW 745I recalls & problems

2 recalls 54 complaints 2 investigations

2recalls
54owner complaints
3crashes reported
1fires reported
0 / 0injuries / deaths

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2002 BMW 745I and 54 owner complaints. The part owners complain about most is power train (17 reports), followed by air bags (11). NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations that include this vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers – enter your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your car still has an open recall.

2002 BMW 745I recalls

Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 03V240000 · Jul 1, 2003

Problem: 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.

Risk: In those cases, the driver may not be able to restart the engine. Depending on the level of engine roughness, or stalling, as well as traffic conditions and the driver's reactions, this could lead to a crash.

Fix: Dealers will reprogram the digital engine management control unit. Owner notification began july 8, 2003. Owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.

5,470 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 02V150000 · Jun 3, 2002

Problem: 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 tank contains one-third or less of its maximum fuel capacity.

Risk: If this were to occur, the engine could stall and not be restarted until more fuel was added to the fuel tank. This could occur even though the fuel gauge indicated that fuel still remained in the tank.

Fix: Dealers will reprogram the fuel pump control system. Owner notification began june 28, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-332-4269.

8,412 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

2002 BMW 745I problems by component

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train 17
200
Air Bags 11
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 10
100
Electrical System 8
000
Engine and Engine Cooling 5
010
Parking Brake 3
100
Seat Belts 3
000
Engine 3
000
Fuel System, Gasoline 2
010
Seats 2
000
Service Brakes 2
000
Latches/Locks/Linkages 1
000
Fuel/Propulsion System 1
000
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 1
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc) 1
000
Steering 1
000
Structure 1
000
Unknown or Other 1
010
Vehicle Speed Control 1
000

NHTSA investigations

Latest owner complaints

Engine · Feb 24, 2020 · GA

I bought the car from someone in cash. It has smoke coming out of the tail pipes. When its sitting and idling for a while it smokes terribly.

Electronic Stability Control (esc) · Dec 12, 2017 · 90,000 miles · AR

Air bag light on seat driver want adjust proper

Seats · Dec 12, 2017 · 90,000 miles · AR

Air bag light on seat driver want adjust proper

Air Bags · Dec 12, 2017 · 90,000 miles · AR

Air bag light on seat driver want adjust proper

Air Bags · May 6, 2016 · 100,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 BMW 745I. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the air bag light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who checked all connections to the air bags, scanned the computer, and the light dimmed. The failure recurred after two weeks and the light remained illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was…

Service Brakes · Jan 26, 2016 · AZ

Vehicle has a recall for brake vacuum pump 10V-446. Vehicle was brought into a local mechanic and he said the brake master cylinder was not working properly. He did research and said that it was a BMW recall. Finally took vehicle into BMW (tucson) and the said they saw no oil leak, therefore master cylinder would not be replaced. They want to charge $1,175 to fix it. The brake…

Seat Belts · Jul 14, 2015 · 144,300 miles · CA

All of a sudden, I got into my 745I 2002,"fault in passenger restraint system affecting airbag belt tensioner or belt force limiter. Continue to wear safety belt despite fault." this is an obvious defective materials from BMW manufacturing plant.

Service Brakes · Mar 16, 2015 · 150,000 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 BMW 745I. While driving at approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal had to be depressed with extreme force in order for the vehicle to stop without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the brake booster needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The…

Power Train · Nov 13, 2014 · 80,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 BMW 745I. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into drive intermittently and the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Air Bags · May 28, 2014 · 149,000 miles · GA

Started my 745I up for a quick trip to the store and received a restraint system failure light. After some research it seems that this has been a problem with the 7 series for some time and BMW has even issued a recall with a 10 year restriction. I cannot understand why my 2002 is not covered under this recall since BMW is aware that this has been a problem. Presently my car…

Seat Belts · May 28, 2014 · 149,000 miles · GA

Started my 745I up for a quick trip to the store and received a restraint system failure light. After some research it seems that this has been a problem with the 7 series for some time and BMW has even issued a recall with a 10 year restriction. I cannot understand why my 2002 is not covered under this recall since BMW is aware that this has been a problem. Presently my car…

Power Train · Nov 19, 2013 · 149,050 miles · CA

In 2009 this car was bought from another owner. At the time of this purchase, this car was bought as a lemon law buyback because a check engine light that is always on. A few months after buying this car, the car started throwing a blue smoke off he tail pipe. Every time I stop at a traffic light for a full 2 minutes and let the car idle and then would accelerate on green, the…

Other BMW 745I years

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 BMW 745I have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls covering the 2002 BMW 745I, the most recent one (03V240000) for engine and engine cooling. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 BMW 745I?

Based on 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are power train (17), air bags (11), service brakes, hydraulic (10).

Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 2002 BMW 745I?

Owners reported 3 crashes, 1 fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.

Is NHTSA investigating the 2002 BMW 745I?

NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations that include this vehicle, most recently EA12002: Vehicle Rollaway.