FaultScore

FaultScore report

2002 BMW 745I problems

Owners have filed 74 complaints about the 2002 BMW 745I with NHTSA between 2002 and 2020. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 4 worst.

D

FaultScore 61/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the BMW 745I.

How this is worked out

The numbers

74

Complaints

4

Crashes reported

3

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

90,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

17%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 81 vs 50 Severity 49 vs 50 Early failure 29 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 81
Against the median year of the BMW 745I. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 49
9.5% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 29
17% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2002 compares with every other BMW 745I

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2002 BMW 745I

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 102,000 mi

Brakes 15 20.3%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 92,350 mi

Airbags 11 14.9%

Median failure at 89,500 miles

Electrical System 8 10.8%

Median failure at 66,000 miles

Engine & Cooling 8 10.8%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 60,000 mi

Seat Belts 3 4.1%

Median failure at 144,300 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 3 4.1%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 48,000 mi

Seats 2 2.7%

Median failure at 89,500 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 1.4%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 16,000 mi

Equipment & Accessories 1 1.4%

Median failure at 90,000 miles

Doors, Latches & Locks 1 1.4%
Stability & Traction Control 1 1.4%

Median failure at 90,000 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 1.4%

Median failure at 134,005 miles

Body & Structure 1 1.4%
Steering 1 1.4%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 4 6.9%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 6 10.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 7 12.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 18 31.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 21 36.2%
150,000+ miles 2 3.4%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

May 2002 peak 4 Feb 2020

NHTSA investigations into the 2002 BMW 745I

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA12002 Opened 10 Apr 2012 Closed 24 Jan 2013 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle Rollaway

In a letter dated October 16, 2012, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-502 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving the possibility of unattended vehicle rollaway in MY 2005 through 2008 BMW 7-Series (approximately 45,000) vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access Option.The Comfort Access option allows the driver to start and stop the engine (by pressing the engine start / stop button) without inserting the key fob into the vehicles key slot in the instrument panel.Subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option...

PE11025 Opened 5 Aug 2011 Closed 23 Apr 2012 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle Rollaway

In response to the Office of Defects Investigation's (ODI) Information Request (IR) for PE11-025, BMW provided ODI with 1 complaint and 46 field reports relating to either incidents of unattended vehicle rollaway or vehicle movement after the driver expected the vehicle gearshift to automatically shift to park. ODI's analysis of the data provided by BMW identified 14 crashes and 5 alleged injuries. ODI has also identified 3 additional reports in its database alleging vehicle rollaway incidents of which 2 resulted in crashes.The subject vehicles are all equipped with push-buttons (Start/Stop bu...

Recalls on the 2002 BMW 745I

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

03V240000

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.

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.

02V150000

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 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.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 122,000 miles 952-470-1175, MN Crash

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY IN REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA complaint #10501373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 91,000 miles Lakewood, CA Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE WILL COME OUT OF P (PARK MODE) AND FALL AWAY UNATTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO PARK AUTOMATICALLY BY PUSHING THE START/STOP BUTTON, AND AFTER LEAVING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS SEEN ROLLING ACROSS THE STREET AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL HITTING THE CURB ACROSS THE STREET.

NHTSA complaint #10419177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 16,000 miles Yorba Linda, CA Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE AND ABOUT THREE HOURS LATER SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE GARAGE. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND DAMAGED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE GARAGE. FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE ,AND DETERMINED THAT FIRE CAME FROM THE BACK OF THE ENGINE. *AK CONSUMER EXPERIENCED OTHER FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE INCLUDING: FAILURE TO START, 3 RECALLS PERTAINING TO FUEL SYSTEM AND COMPUTER, COMPUTER CRASHED AND ACCESSORIES DIDN'T OPERATE, AND HEAD REST MOVED ON IT'S OWN.

NHTSA complaint #10032039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 16,000 miles Yorba Linda, CA Fire

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE AND ABOUT THREE HOURS LATER SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE GARAGE. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND DAMAGED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE GARAGE. FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE ,AND DETERMINED THAT FIRE CAME FROM THE BACK OF THE ENGINE. *AK CONSUMER EXPERIENCED OTHER FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE INCLUDING: FAILURE TO START, 3 RECALLS PERTAINING TO FUEL SYSTEM AND COMPUTER, COMPUTER CRASHED AND ACCESSORIES DIDN'T OPERATE, AND HEAD REST MOVED ON IT'S OWN.

NHTSA complaint #10032039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 16,000 miles Yorba Linda, CA Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE AND ABOUT THREE HOURS LATER SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE GARAGE. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND DAMAGED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE GARAGE. FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE ,AND DETERMINED THAT FIRE CAME FROM THE BACK OF THE ENGINE. *AK CONSUMER EXPERIENCED OTHER FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE INCLUDING: FAILURE TO START, 3 RECALLS PERTAINING TO FUEL SYSTEM AND COMPUTER, COMPUTER CRASHED AND ACCESSORIES DIDN'T OPERATE, AND HEAD REST MOVED ON IT'S OWN.

NHTSA complaint #10032039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,500 miles Columbia, SC Crash

PARKING BRAKE

BRAKES FAILED FOR 2ND TIME IN 2 WEEKS, RESULTING IN FENDER DAMAGE TO 3 VEHICLES; ACCIDENT OCCURED AT 5 MPH. THE SAME FAILURE HAD OCCURED 2 WEEKS EARLIER (WITHOUT ANY DAMAGES), AND THE LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP "REPAIRED" THE BRAKE WHEEL SENSORS, STATING THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE BRAKE FAILURE. THERE WAS NO EMERGENCY BRAKE HANDLE THAT COULD BE USED IN SUCH AN EMERGENCY (ONLY A BUTTON ON THE DASH).

NHTSA complaint #10000689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Americus, GA

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #11311060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Little Rock, AR

SEATS

AIR BAG LIGHT ON SEAT DRIVER WANT ADJUST PROPER

NHTSA complaint #11054084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Little Rock, AR

AIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHT ON SEAT DRIVER WANT ADJUST PROPER

NHTSA complaint #11054084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Little Rock, AR

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

AIR BAG LIGHT ON SEAT DRIVER WANT ADJUST PROPER

NHTSA complaint #11054084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Hayward, CA

AIR BAGS

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 NO RECALL. A FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED WITH THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10863653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sierra Vista, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES

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 VACUUM PUMP AND MASTER CYLINDER WORK TOGETHER. BMW IS NOT FIXING THE REAL PROBLEM, THEY ARE EXPECTING ME TO FIX THE FLAWED BRAKE SYSTEM. THE HEAT OF THE ENGINE CAN BURN OIL OFF, SO JUST BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T SEE IT, DOESN'T MEAN IT WASN'T THERE AND CAUSED THE FAILURE OF THE MASTER CYLINDER DIAPHRAGM. WHEN THE PART CONNECTED THE RECALL AND IS FAULTY, THAT SHOULD BE COVERED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT BMW IS NOT FIXING AND ALLOWING VEHICLES ON THE ROAD WITH FAULTY BRAKES. THEY DESIGNED THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND BEING SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF A VEHICLE, THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. ALL BRAKING PARTS ARE ORIGINAL BMW PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #10822343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 144,300 miles Carmichael, CA

SEAT BELTS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10733823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Denver, CO

SERVICE BRAKES

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 MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #10694591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Virginia Beach, VA

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #10654654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 149,000 miles Macon, GA

SEAT BELTS

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 IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THE COST TO REPAIR BY DEALER IS EXTREMELY HIGH. BMW NEEDS TO OWN UP TO ALL MODELS WITH THIS PROBLEM SINCE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10594469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 149,000 miles Macon, GA

AIR BAGS

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 IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THE COST TO REPAIR BY DEALER IS EXTREMELY HIGH. BMW NEEDS TO OWN UP TO ALL MODELS WITH THIS PROBLEM SINCE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10594469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 149,050 miles Hacienda Heights, CA

POWER TRAIN

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 CAR WOULD THROW BLUE SMOKE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEMS BUT THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE ENGINE AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND WAS CHARGE NEARLY $6000.00 DOLLARS FOR THIS REPAIR. 2) ON 11/09/13, WHILE HAVING REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING, STATING THAT THE OIL PAN AND GASKET WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS PRIVATELY REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,050 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 149,347. UPDATED 11/19/13 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10553003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Brooklyn, NY

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V240000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10532883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 115,000 miles Caldwell, ID

AIR BAGS

GOT ON FREEWAY DROVE 10 MILES GOT OFF FREEWAY. STOPPED AT LIGHTS IN NORMAL TRAFFIC, GOING 35MPH. THAN ALL OF A SUDDEN LIGHT AND WARNING COMES ON SAYING PASS-RESTRAINT AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. WONT READ MY SEATBELT WHEN I BUCKLE UP NOR WHEN SITTING IN PASSENGER IS SITTING.

NHTSA complaint #10513202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 139,345 miles Lexington, KY

POWER TRAIN

MY VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING THIS HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES WHILE DRIVING AND THREE TIMES TOTAL WHILE IDLE. JUST RECENTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. THE VEHICLE ALSO WOULD NOT START AFTER IT HAD SHUT ITSELF OFF. I TRIED TO START IT BUT IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. THEN A MESSAGE ON THE THE DISPLAY READ "TRANSMISSION DRIVE FAIL SAFE MALFUNCTION ONLY GEARS P,N,R, D3 AND D5 CAN BE ENGAGED WITHOUT PRESSING THE PARKING BRAKE." AND IT ALSO DISPLAYED SOMETHING ABOUT BATTERY DISCHARGED AND WILL BE DISCONNECTED SOON. THEN I WAS PROMPTED TO "RECHARGE BATTERY" AFTER THE MESSAGE. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR ALMOST AN HOUR I STARTED IT. THERE WEREN'T ANY MESSAGES IN THE DISPLAY ABOUT MALFUNCTIONS OF ANY KIND EVERYTHING WAS CLEARED. I DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND TURNED IT OFF AND ON ABOUT FIVE TIMES AND IT STARTED FINE. I ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN I IDLE MY CAR AND I GET OUT OF THE DRIVERS SEAT OR LIFT OUT OF THE SEAT AND SIT BACK DOWN BOTH TIMES I CAN HEAR THE FUEL PUMP BUZZING FOR ABOUT 1-2 SECONDS.

NHTSA complaint #10511472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 139,345 miles Lexington, KY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING THIS HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES WHILE DRIVING AND THREE TIMES TOTAL WHILE IDLE. JUST RECENTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. THE VEHICLE ALSO WOULD NOT START AFTER IT HAD SHUT ITSELF OFF. I TRIED TO START IT BUT IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. THEN A MESSAGE ON THE THE DISPLAY READ "TRANSMISSION DRIVE FAIL SAFE MALFUNCTION ONLY GEARS P,N,R, D3 AND D5 CAN BE ENGAGED WITHOUT PRESSING THE PARKING BRAKE." AND IT ALSO DISPLAYED SOMETHING ABOUT BATTERY DISCHARGED AND WILL BE DISCONNECTED SOON. THEN I WAS PROMPTED TO "RECHARGE BATTERY" AFTER THE MESSAGE. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR ALMOST AN HOUR I STARTED IT. THERE WEREN'T ANY MESSAGES IN THE DISPLAY ABOUT MALFUNCTIONS OF ANY KIND EVERYTHING WAS CLEARED. I DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND TURNED IT OFF AND ON ABOUT FIVE TIMES AND IT STARTED FINE. I ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN I IDLE MY CAR AND I GET OUT OF THE DRIVERS SEAT OR LIFT OUT OF THE SEAT AND SIT BACK DOWN BOTH TIMES I CAN HEAR THE FUEL PUMP BUZZING FOR ABOUT 1-2 SECONDS.

NHTSA complaint #10511472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 122,000 miles 952-470-1175, MN Crash

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY IN REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA complaint #10501373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Long Beach, CA

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SKIPPED AND JERKED AND FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA complaint #10500904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 134,005 miles Beltsville, MD

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON MANY OCCASIONS AS I APPROACH A STOP RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN OR STOP IN TRAFFIC THE CAR JERKS FORWARD AS IF I PUSHED DOWN ON THE GAS EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR COULD ACTUALLY HIT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IF MY FOOT WERE NOT ON THE BRAKE. ONCE I START MOVING FORWARD AT ABOUT 35-40 MPH THE CAR STARTS TO ALMOST ACT LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO STALL UNTIL I EITHER SPEED UP OR SLOW DOWN WHICH IS A CONCERN THAT IT MAY STALL OUT IN TRAFFIC AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE DROVE THE CAR AND THE SAME THING HAS HAPPEN BUT THEY SAY NO CODES COME UP SO THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE CONSIDERING THE COST OF THIS CAR AND WHAT THEY CHARGE TO RUN THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK.

NHTSA complaint #10483536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 104,000 miles SAN Jose, CA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS BLUE SMOKE BEING EMITTED FROM THE TAILPIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PCV VALVE HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #10477316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Annapolis, MD

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM FAILED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #10473900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 66,000 miles Redding, CT

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

MY BMW 745I 2002 WITH "DRIVE BY WIRE" SIX GEAR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DEVELOPED A ROUGH SHIFT, "CLUNK" IN THE LOWER GEAR RANGES. IN THE LOWER GEARS, THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES DOWN SHIFTS UNEXPECTEDLY RESULTING IN A SUDDEN DROP IN SPEED. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF SOMEONE WAS FOLLOWING TO CLOSE BEHIND.

NHTSA complaint #10463120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 66,000 miles Redding, CT

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY BMW 745I 2002 WITH "DRIVE BY WIRE" SIX GEAR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DEVELOPED A ROUGH SHIFT, "CLUNK" IN THE LOWER GEAR RANGES. IN THE LOWER GEARS, THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES DOWN SHIFTS UNEXPECTEDLY RESULTING IN A SUDDEN DROP IN SPEED. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF SOMEONE WAS FOLLOWING TO CLOSE BEHIND.

NHTSA complaint #10463120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Adamsville, AL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOTICED THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. THE MECHANICS STATED THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 08/14/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO, HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TOT HE DEALER, AFTER HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED, HE NOTICED HE HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKE A LITTLE HARDER, IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. A LIGHT THEN ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED TWICE. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE BRAKING PROBLEMS. UPDATED 08/16/12

NHTSA complaint #10463066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Elgin, IL

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SAFETY INFORMATION MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 85,000.

NHTSA complaint #10456484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.