NHTSA Data Explorer
BMW 545i
Data refreshed October 26, 2026
Select a model year to filter results to that year of the BMW 545i.
Complaints
207
Active records
Recalls
9
Active records
TSBs
106
Active records
Filing history
Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.
Reported severity
Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.
Deaths
0
Injuries
8
Crashes
6
Fires
14
Top reported issues — BMW 545i
Click a category to expand its values.
Safety restraint issue
Reporting mechanism
Operating state
Condition issue
Transmission/drivetrain behavior
Thermal issue
Vibration/harshness
Braking behavior
Fluid issue
Lighting behavior
Infotainment behavior
Steering behavior
Engine behavior
Performance issue
Access/entry issue
Electrical issue
Noise
Recent change
Safety restraint behavior
Smell
Driver assistance issue
Powering on/off behavior
Starting behavior
Wiper/washer behavior
Communication/network issue
Recent filings
The 10 most recent filings for each type.
2004 BMW 545I
Filed Aug 29, 2026
Vehicle suffered a catastrophic engine fire while parked due to fuel line separation under open recall 04V303000.
2005 BMW 545I
Filed Mar 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2005 BMW 545I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the contact became aware of a ball of white smoke coming from the exhaust. The contact stated that whenever the accelerator pedal was depressed, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed crank casting and the protective crank casting valve. The contact was informed that…
2005 BMW 545I
Filed Nov 30, 2021
The wiring inside of the headlights has dried up and fallen off, leaving bare electrical wire. The resulting was both of the headlights became non operational at night. To replace the headlights in the car with all the factory features is about 3200.00 for parts alone. I know of others who have had this happen, and everyone i know who owns one, has the same exact problem. The vehicle in question barely has 125,000 miles on it. I feel the manufacturer should repair these vehicles at no cost to…
2005 BMW 545I
Filed Jul 15, 2021
At approxamitately 1:20pm on July 13, after being parked for a little over an hour I was told that my car was burning. 911 was called immediately and the owner of the establishment went outside and called to the firemen at the station on the other side of the street. Their response was immediate. Response was so quick that damage was limited to the right rear. Which seems that the fire started in the area directly foreward and above the battery
2005 BMW 545I
Filed Sep 14, 2020
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR IN A BUSY HIGHWAY THE CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING. NO ODD SOUNDS NO SHUTTING NO CLUNKING. IT WAS LIKE SOME JUST TURNED THE KEY OFF. I MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO WAIT TWO HOURS FOR A TOW TRUCK TO SHOW UP. MOST OF THE WEEK PREVIOUS TO THIS MY CAR WOULD NOT START AT RANDOM TIMES EVEN THOUGH MY BATTERY WAS GOOD AND I HAD GAS. THE PROBLEM WAS THE DME HAD WATER INGRESS FROM A POOR LOCATION WHERE THE DME AND METRONIC COMPUTER AND THE…
2005 BMW 545I
Filed May 25, 2020
DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHERE THERE WAS OIL IN ROAD. MY CAR LOST CONTROL AND VEERED INTO A GUARD RAIL ON THE HIGHWAY. MY CAR WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TOTALED AND NONE OF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN THE CRASH.
2004 BMW 545I
Filed Feb 4, 2020
MY CAR HAS THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING EVERYTIME I START MY CAR. THE AIR BAG RECALL IS BY TAKATA IS FOR THE 2003 545I MODEL. MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN SEP OF 2003 WITH THOSE TAKADA AIRBAGS.
2004 BMW 545I
Filed Jan 19, 2020
DYNAMIC STEERING MALFUNCTION CAUSING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS
2004 BMW 545I
Filed Nov 28, 2019
ELECTRICAL WIRING IN HEADLIGHTS ARE DISINTEGRATING. THE SHIELDING IS DRY ROTTING AND FLAKING OFF NEARLY EVERY WIRE IN BOTH HEADLIGHTS CAUSING THEM TO MALFUNCTION DURING DRIVING. LIGHTS WILL CUT OFF RANDOMLY. I'D IMAGINE THE WIRES ARE SHORTING OUT.
2004 BMW 545I
Filed Sep 8, 2019
VALVE COVER GASKET LEAK, TIMING CHAIN COVER GASKET LEAK, VALVE STEM LEAK.