2002 BMW 745LI recalls and problems

The 2002 BMW 745LI has 2 safety recalls and 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer.

Recalls
2
Complaints
36
Crashes / fires
3 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2002 BMW 745LI vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2002 BMW 745LI recalls

Recall 03V-240: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Jul 1, 2003 · 5,470 vehicles affected · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

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.

Recall 02V-150: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Jun 3, 2002 · 8,412 vehicles affected · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

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.

2002 BMW 745LI problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Electrical System10
Air Bags10
Power Train8
Fuel System, Gasoline5
Engine and Engine Cooling4
Seat Belts3
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Tires2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Engine2
Steering1
Vehicle Speed Control1

Most reported parts

  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 6
  • Steering › Rack and Pinion — 1
  • Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal — 1
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 1
  • Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems — 1
  • Air Bags › On-Off Switch Assembly — 1
  • Equipment › Electrical — 1
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 98,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2002 BMW 745LI complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Fuel System, Gasoline · at 89,000 miles · reported May 26, 2020
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…
Engine · at 108,000 miles · reported Aug 12, 2019
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…
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) · at 180,425 miles · reported Apr 26, 2019
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…
Air Bags · reported Sep 21, 2018
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.
Air Bags · reported May 22, 2018
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…

Other BMW 745LI years

Compare all BMW 745LI years · All BMW models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 BMW 745LI have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2002 BMW 745LI: 03V-240 (engine and engine cooling), 02V-150 (fuel system, gasoline). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 BMW 745LI?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (10 reports), followed by air bags (10). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 98,000 miles.

Are BMW recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized BMW dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.