2005 BMW 545I

78 complaints on file, page 1 of 4.

1. Filed Mar 8, 2024Failure Mar 7, 2024122,195 milesTampa, FLEngine

   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 the failure was similar to an undisclosed manufacturer's recall, however the contact's VIN was not associated with the recall. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the smoke was excessive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,195.

   NHTSA complaint 11576234
2. Filed Nov 30, 2021Failure Nov 10, 2021Bakersfield, CAElectrical system, Exterior lighting

   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 the owners.

   NHTSA complaint 11442056
3. Filed Jul 15, 2021Failure Jul 13, 2021Hamilton, NJElectrical systemFire

   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

   NHTSA complaint 11424889
4. Filed Sep 14, 2020Failure Jun 15, 2018127,000 milesMonroe, WAElectrical system

   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 INTERGRADED POWER MODULE ARE LOCATED AND STORED. THEY ARE IN A SEALED PLASTIC BOX UNDER THE CABIN FRESH AIR INLETS AND CABIN FILTERS AND THE FRONT HOOD COWL. I'M THE BOX THERE IS A FAN AT THE BOTTOM TO EXPELL MOISTER. IF THE INTERGTATED POWER MODULE STARTS TO GO THEN THE FAN STOPS WORKING OR THE FAN IT SELF GOES BAD. AT THAT POINT THERE IS ALMOST ALWAYS WATER INGRESS INTO THE DME AND OR THE METRONIC COMPUTER CAUSING THE CAR TO NOT TO RUN OR EVEN CRANK AND WITH WATER CORROSION ON THE THE DME IT CAUSES PHANTOM PROBLEMS IN OTHER AREAS OF THE CAR. THE DME IS ALSO NOT EASILY REPLACED. THE CAR HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE TO ORDER A NEW DME AND ALIGN IT WITH THE BE CAS MODULE FOR THE IMMOBILIZER TO WORK CORRECTLY AND FOR YOUR CAR TO START. THIS USALLY COST IN EXCESS OF $2,000 JUST FOR THE NEW DME. THE WORST PART OF THIS WHOLE THING IS I LOST MY JOB BECAUSE I WAS 4 HOURS LATE TO WORK AFTER WAITING FOR THE TOW AND GETTING A RIDE TO WORK

   NHTSA complaint 11354824
5. Filed May 25, 2020Failure May 18, 2020150,000 milesOrlando, FLAir bags, BodyCrash

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11325833
6. Filed Oct 8, 2018Failure Jun 25, 2018172,000 milesBuzzards BAY, MAAir bags, Seat belts

   AS I UNDERSTAND A VEHICLE FOR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IN PASSENGER SIDE FREE STREAM HAS BEEN DEALT WITH ALREADY I JUST RECEIVED THIS VEHICLE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO SO IT IS NEW TO ME AND I HAVE THE SAME ERRORS AS WHICH A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR MY CAR 2005 545 I BMW. AS I HAVE READ AFTER X AMOUNT OF YEARS A RECALL IS FINALIZED I JUST RECEIVED THIS VEHICLE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO SO I FEEL I AM STILL ABLE TO SUCCEED FROM THIS SAFETY RECALL FROM THE MANUFACTURE

   NHTSA complaint 11139108
7. Filed Aug 5, 2018Failure Jul 12, 2018182,282 milesFontana, CAElectrical system

   GOOD EVENING ALL, SINCE 2011 I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE I DRIVE SYSTEM. JUST RECENTLY, THE SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE WITH BMW OF ONTARIO, THEY DECLINED TO COVER THE VEHICLE'S I DRIVE COMPUTER MODULE. FINALLY, THE COMPUTER STOPPED WORKING AND I COULD NOT SEE MY COMPUTER DISPLAY OR LISTEN TO MUSIC. I COULD NOT RE-SET THE AIR PRESSURE ON THE TIRES. I DROVE THE VEHICLE THAT WAY FOR MONTHS. FINALLY, I WENT TO THE JUNK YARD AND FOUND A VEHICLE SIMILAR TO MINE AND REPLACED IT. EVEN THOUGH I REPLACED THE COMPUTER, I WAS NOT ABLE TO GAIN CERTAIN FUNCTIONS ON MY VEHICLE THAT CAME STANDARD WITH THAT PARTICULAR VEHICLE SUCH AS THE SATELLITE RADIO OR SPEAK TO CALL FUNCTION. I'M PRETTY SURE MANY VEHICLE OWNERS CAN RELATE TO THIS ISSUE AND THE DIFFICULTY IT HAS CREATED TO TRY AND MITIGATE WITH THE DEALER. TAKE CARE,

   NHTSA complaint 11115784
8. Filed Aug 5, 2018Failure Jul 11, 2018182,252 milesFontana, CAFuel/propulsion system

   GOOD EVENING ALL, EVERY TIME I FILL UP THE GAS IN THE VEHICLE, THERE IS A STRONG SMELL INSIDE THE CAB. THIS BEGAN OCCURRING ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO BUT HAS CONTINUED THOUGHT MY TIME WITH THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, I CANNOT FILL THE TANK AT MORE THAN . IF I DO FILL UP THE VEHICLE TO MORE THAN I FACE HAVING TO SMELL THE FUMES OF THE FUEL INSIDE THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. MANY PEOPLE HAVE A SIMILAR COMPLAINT WITH THESE VEHICLES.

   NHTSA complaint 11115783
9. Filed Aug 5, 2018Failure Jun 2, 2018Fontana, CAElectrical system

   GOOD EVENING SIR, I AM WRITING TO YOU BECAUSE MY VEHICLE HAD BARE WIRES ON THE HEADLIGHT. THE HOT WIRE AND GROUND WIRES WERE TOUCHING. I DID NOT HAVE THE HEADLIGHT WORKING. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRES OF THE VEHICLE PEELING OFF AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME.

   NHTSA complaint 11115782
10. Filed Aug 13, 2017Failure Jul 14, 2017160,000 milesSAN Diego, CAEngine

    CERTAIN BMW MODELS INCLUDING E60 2005 545I ALMOST ALL REQUIRE VALVE SEAL REPLACEMENT DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. THIS RESULTS IN OIL LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE AND SECONDARY AIR INJECTOR CAUSING SMOKE TO EMIT OUT OF THE TAILPIPES. ALTHOUGH MY CAR PASSED AL COMPUTERIZED SMOG CHECKS, IT DID NOT PASS THE NEW VISUAL TEST BECAUSE OF THESE FAULTY VALVE STEM SEALS. THIS OCCURS AFTE IDLING THE ENGINE FOR 10 MINUTES. THE REPAIR COSTS FOR THIS ARE ABOUT EQUAL TO THE RETAIL VALUE OF THE CAR. EVERY MECHANIC I'VE SPOKEN TO BELIEVES THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED.

    NHTSA complaint 11014948
11. Filed Jul 28, 2017Failure Jul 11, 2017123,000 milesBrooklyn, NYElectrical system, Seat heater/cooler

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. WHILE THE SEAT HEATER WAS ACTIVATED, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE SEAT AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SEAT HEATER WAS TURNED OFF AND THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HABBERSTAD BMW NEW AND PRE-OWNED (945 E JERICHO TURNPIKE, HUNTINGTON STATION, NY 11746 (800) 997-9313) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAULTY HEATER WIRING, THE SEAT, AND THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED NOT TO ACTIVATE THE SEAT HEATER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. UPDATED 08/30/17*LJ *TR

    NHTSA complaint 11011375
12. Filed Mar 26, 2017Failure Mar 4, 201784,474 milesGreeley, COAir bags, Seat belts

    I AM WRITING TO YOU TO ADDRESS A CURRENT NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) SAFETY RECALL AFFECTING MY VEHICLE (AND PRESUMABLY MANY SIMILAR VEHICLES). I CURRENTLY OWN A 2005 BMW 545I 4-DOOR SEDAN (VIN: [XXX] WITH 84,474 MILES AND HAVE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED A FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT MALFUNCTION. THIS SENSOR MALFUNCTION AFFECTS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. THE ERROR CODES MY VEHICLE IS DISPLAYING ARE THE SAME AS THOSE ADDRESSED IN THE NHTSA SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V384000, DATED 5 AUG 2008) INDICATING A PASSENGER AIRBAG HAS MALFUNCTIONED, "OFF", AND WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. THE NHTSA RECALL INDICATED BMW IS RECALLING 2004-06 5-SERIES MODELS (INCLUDING THE 545I) EQUIPPED WITH SEAT TYPES THAT MAY PRODUCE SIMILAR ERRORS DUE TO CRACKING THAT DEVELOPS WITH AGE. FRANKLY, I FIND IT RIDICULOUS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME MALFUNCTIONS AND ERRORS AS MY VEHICLE, HOWEVER, THOSE VEHICLES ARE BEING COVERED UNDER A CURRENT BMW SAFETY RECALL WHILE MY VEHICLE IS NOT. IN THE END, MY PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION FOR THE SAME MALFUNCTIONING SEAT SENSOR, YET, BMW HAS TURNED A BLIND EYE TO MYSELF AND I PRESUME A LARGE NUMBER OF OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. CAN THE NHTSA ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH BMW NA? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION REGARDING THIS MATTER. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT ANY TIME IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. HAVE A GREAT DAY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10968554
13. Filed Mar 15, 2017Failure Mar 13, 2017Arnold, MDAir bags

    HELLO SIR OR MA'AM; I AM WRITING TO YOU TO ADDRESS A CURRENT NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) SAFETY RECALL AFFECTING MY VEHICLE (AND PRESUMABLY MANY SIMILAR VEHICLES). I CURRENTLY OWN A 2005 BMW 545I 4-DOOR SEDAN (VIN: [XXX]) AND HAVE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED A FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT MALFUNCTION. THIS SENSOR MALFUNCTION AFFECTS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. THE ERROR CODES MY VEHICLE IS DISPLAYING ARE THE SAME AS THOSE ADDRESSED IN THE NHTSA SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V384000, DATED 5 AUG 2008) INDICATING A PASSENGER AIRBAG HAS MALFUNCTIONED, "OFF", AND WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. THE NHTSA RECALL INDICATED BMW IS RECALLING 2004-06 5-SERIES MODELS (INCLUDING THE 545I) EQUIPPED WITH SEAT TYPES THAT MAY PRODUCE SIMILAR ERRORS DUE TO CRACKING THAT DEVELOPS WITH AGE. FRANKLY, I FIND IT RIDICULOUS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME MALFUNCTIONS AND ERRORS AS MY VEHICLE, HOWEVER, THOSE VEHICLES ARE BEING COVERED UNDER A CURRENT BMW SAFETY RECALL WHILE MY VEHICLE IS NOT. IN THE END, MY PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION FOR THE SAME MALFUNCTIONING SEAT SENSOR, YET, BMW HAS TURNED A BLIND EYE TO MYSELF AND I PRESUME A LARGE NUMBER OF OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. CAN THE NHTSA ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH BMW NA? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION REGARDING THIS MATTER. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT ANY TIME IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. HAVE A GREAT DAY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10966132
14. Filed Mar 11, 2017Failure Mar 8, 2017Indianapolis, INAir bags, Service brakes

    MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT AND SEAT BELT LIGHT ARE BOTH ON AT ALL TIMES. THE ON BOARD COMPUTER SAYS FAULT IN PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT OR SEAT BELT TENSIONER. ALSO THE BACK BRAKES DON'T WORK AT ALL BUT THE FRONT ONES DO. WAS WONDERING IF THIS WAS A RECALL MATTER BEFORE I SPEND THOUSANDS TO FIX THE PROBLEM

    NHTSA complaint 10960117
15. Filed Feb 7, 2017Failure Dec 7, 2016108,000 milesFAR Rockaway, NYAir bags

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE SENSOR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT ABOUT AN AIR BAG RECALL AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE RECALL DETAILS WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10950011
16. Filed Jan 28, 2017Failure Nov 10, 2016125,000 milesRuston, LAAir bags

    PASSENGER AIRBAG RESTRAIN SYSTEM, STATIONARY CITY STREET

    NHTSA complaint 10948146
17. Filed Mar 15, 2016Failure Nov 2, 2015140,000 milesMason, OHAir bags

    THE FRONT AIRBAG SENSOR HAS MALFUNCTIONED, THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD THAT HAD A RECALL AND SHAME ON BMW FOR NOT COVERING THIS FOR THE LIFE OF THEIR VEHICLES. GOD FORBID SOMEONE GETS HURT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT AFFORD TO PONY UP THE $1300 TO FIX THIS SHODDY PART

    NHTSA complaint 10849704
18. Filed Mar 9, 2016Failure Mar 1, 2016Charlotte, NCElectrical system, Exterior lighting

    HEADLIGHT WIRES ARE ALMOST BARE, AND COULD POSSIBLY SPARK AND CAUSE A FIRE.

    NHTSA complaint 10845832
19. Filed Oct 18, 2015Failure Oct 15, 201593,168 milesLAS Vegas, NVAir bags, Seat belts

    WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON AND WHILE DRIVING, IT SAYS PASSENGER AIR BAG MALFUNCTION BECAUSE OF SEAT BELT TENSIONER OR SOMETHING ELSE. AND WON'T TURN OFF

    NHTSA complaint 10783118
20. Filed Oct 15, 2015Failure Aug 30, 201569,000 milesBrooklyn, NYAir bags, Seat belts, Seats

    MY CAR HAS THE LIGHT ON FOR AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT DO TO MALFUNCTION OF SEAT PAD SENSOR IN PASSENGER SEAT.CALLED BMW OF AMERICA, AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL.WOULD APPRECIATE YOU LOOKING INTO THE MATTER .THANKS IN ADVANCE.

    NHTSA complaint 10782275