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BMW

745i

Large Cars · model years 2002 to 2005

The verdict

Best year: 2004. complaints: 24, below this model's typical 28; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 2.

Worst year: 2002. complaints: 54, about 1.9x this model's typical 28; recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the BMW 745i
YearTrimsMPGFuel costRecallsComplaintsTop complaintsVerdict
20021Gas19$4,050254POWER TRAIN 23%, AIR BAGS 15%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 14%
20031Gas19$4,050232POWER TRAIN 20%, AIR BAGS 9%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%
20041Gas19$4,050024POWER TRAIN 27%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 22%, ENGINE 15%
20051Gas19$4,050316ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%, AIR BAGS 14%, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 14%

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2002: 19 to 2005: 19
Owner complaints2002: 54 to 2005: 16
How we score each year

We compare each year of the BMW 745i to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.

BMW 745i: best and worst years, 2002 to 2005 · Trimslate