2003 BMW 745I: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 BMW 745I: 2 recalls, 32 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
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Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #03V240000 · 2003 · 5,470 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #03V324000 · 2003 · 2,400 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, the engine oil filter drain plug May be insufficiently tightened. This could lead to loosening of the plug causing an initial oil spray and a subsequent oil leak.
Why it matters: If a large amount of oil loss occurs, engine damage May result. Depending on the extent of the damage, a crash could occur.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the torque of the oil filter drain plug and, if necessary, retighten the drain plug with the correctly specified torque. Owner notification began on September 12, 2003. Owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (9): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (7), noise or vibration (2), stalls / loses power (2).
- Engine (4): the most common themes are warning light on (2), fire / smoke (2).
- Airbags (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (4): the most common themes are warning light on (2), electrical failure (2).
The 2003 BMW 745I has 32 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 8 745I model years for complaints (2.0× the average 745I year). Complaints peaked in 2004 (6 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 74,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (54 complaints, 2 recalls), 2004 (24 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 BMW 745I.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 BMW 745I have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2003 BMW 745I. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2003 BMW 745I problems?
Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (9), engine (4), airbags (4).
What gas mileage does the 2003 BMW 745I get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (4.4 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 BMW 745I repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.