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.
The worst 2002 BMW 745I problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission17
- Brakes13
- Airbags11
- Electrical8
- Engine8
- Fuel system3
- Seat belts3
- Seats2
- Acceleration1
- Body1
- Driver assistance1
- Locks1
- Steering1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 BMW 745I
Recalls 2
Engine and engine cooling
- What is 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.
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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 number 03V240000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 02V150000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2002 BMW 745I
Defect investigations
Vehicle Rollaway
In a letter dated October 16, 2012, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), the federal safety agency Recall No. 12V‑502 to the federal safety agency 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 require the key fob be inserted the key slot to start the engine.Upon removal of the key from the key slot the vehicle will automatically shift to Park if the driver has not done so using the gearshift lever.Sunject vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access option are designed such that when the vehicle is stopped with the service brakes applied and the transmission in Drive or Reverse, the driver can push the engine start/stop button one time, stopping the engine and automatically shifting the transmission to Park.In its DIR, BMW identified a condition such that if the driver depressed the start-stop button multiple times in rapid succession, the transmission could shift to Neutral instead of Park.With the transmission in neutral, depending on the slope of the road, the vehicle could rollaway if unattended.In review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and of reports submitted to BMW, ODI identified 20 reports alleging vehicle rollaway involving vehicles equipped with Comfort Access.The vehicles identified in these reports are all subject to recall 12V‑502.Ten of these reports were identified as likely related to the defect described in recall 12V‑502.Two of the reports are likely related to other mechanical failures.The remaining 8 allegations of vehicle rollaway could not be associated with a specific cause.There are 32 reports alleging vehicle rollaway in the subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option.A vehicle based safety defect trend was not identified in these reports.Subject vehicles not equipped the Comfort Access option will automatically shift to Park once the key fob is removed from the key slot.In this regard these vehicles behave similarly to those with traditional mechanical keys where the key cannot be removed from the ignition unless the vehicle is shifted to Park.The difference between these vehicles and the subject vehicles with the Comfort Access option is that in the Comfort Access equipped vehicles, the engine can be started and stopped without the key fob in the key slot.ODI reports 10429922 and 10419177 noted in the EA opening resume were determined to be vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option and ODI did not identify a vehicle based safety defect associated with these incidents.This investigation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10185770
EA12002
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 button) to control starting/stopping the engine and Shift-by-Wire gearshift systems controlled by a column mounted selector lever behind the steering wheel. The Start/Stop button also controls switching the ignition and the radio ready state On and Off. Shift-by-wire systems replace the traditional mechanical connection (e.g., cable or linkage) between the gearshift and automatic transmission with an electronic connection controlled by a computer module. When parking the vehicle, the driver has the capability to manually shift the vehicle to park by pressing the Park button on the end of the electronic gearshift lever. However, the instructions for engine shutoff provided in the owner's manual state that pressing the Start/Stop button serves the dual function of switching off the engine and automatically shifting the transmission to Park.In response to ODI's information request for PE11-025, BMW described several circumstances where the subject vehicles may shift to neutral when the driver may expect it to automatically shift to park. First, for Comfort Access System (CAS) vehicles, if the transmission is in neutral when the key fob is in the ignition slot and the Start/Stop button is pressed to shut-off the engine, the transmission will remain in neutral. This is referred to as the Carwash mode and is a normal operating feature of the vehicles that is described in the owner's manual. BMW also described two circumstances that are not normal operating features and are not described in the owners' manual: (1) with the transmission in drive or reverse and the engine running, if the Start/Stop button is pushed 2 or 3 times within a 0.3 second to 0.5 second interval, the engine will stop and the transmission will shift to Neutral; and 2) if the Park button on the gearshift lever is pressed at the same time that the gearshift lever is actuated (i.e., toggled up or down) to select drive, reverse or neutral; the transmission will shift to neutral or remain in neutral.Beginning in model year (MY) 2005, BMW introduced CAS as an optional feature package for the subject vehicles.The key for CAS equipped vehicles is an electronic code that is sent to the engine control module by a remote transmitter (key fob). An optional docking port (key slot) is provided for driver convenience or to put the vehicle into Car Wash mode, which allows for engine shutoff in neutral. BMW sold approximately 45,000 subject vehicles with CAS and approximately 94 percent of the CAS equipped vehicles were produced from MY 2006 through 2008. Non-CAS subject vehicles were produced from MY 2002 through 2008 and require the remote control to be in the ignition slot located next to the Start/Stop button to start the engine.The 50 incidents identified by ODI's analysis of complaints and field reports include 18 involving CAS vehicles (39.6 incidents per 100,000 vehicles) and 32 involving non-CAS vehicles (42.0 incidents per 100,000 vehicles). Because the incidents are considered random events, the failure rates were also adjusted for vehicle exposure, resulting in rat
PE11025
Technical service bulletins for the 2002 BMW 745I 26
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- Engine will crank but not start
- Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle
- Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may...
- Navigation system: reporting missing or incorrect road map data
- Diagnosing Stored Fault Codes to Help Avoid Repeat Repair Visits This Service Information bulletin...
- This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B07 03 14 dated October 2015
- Subject
- This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B07 03 14 dated May 2015
- Diagnosing Stored Fault Codes to Help Avoid Repeat Repair Visits
2002 BMW 745I fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4L 8‑cyl | RWD | 16 | 24 | 19 |
What 2002 BMW 745I owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Air bag light on seat driver want adjust proper
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.
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.
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.
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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v446000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
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.
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.
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).
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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v240000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 120,000.
Compare the 2002 BMW 745I
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Questions about the 2002 BMW 745I
Is the 2002 BMW 745I reliable?
Owners have filed 54 complaints about the 2002 BMW 745I, 2.3 times a typical 745I model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2002 BMW 745I year score?
The 2002 BMW 745I scores 46 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 745I: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 BMW 745I?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 17 complaints, typically around 102,000 miles. Next is brakes (13).
How many recalls does the 2002 BMW 745I have?
2 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling and fuel system, gasoline.
What year does the BMW 745I have bad transmission?
The BMW 745I model years with the most transmission complaints are 2002 (17 complaints) and 2004 (11 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2002 BMW 745I get?
Official estimates for the 2002 BMW 745I range from 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.4L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 16 city and 24 highway.
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