NHTSA Data Explorer

BMW 545i

Data refreshed May 30, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the BMW 545i.

Complaints

547

Active records

Recalls

21

Active records

TSBs

263

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

17

Crashes

17

Fires

22

Top reported issues — BMW 545i

Click a category to expand its values.

Safety restraint issue

177

Operating state

155

Reporting mechanism

142

Condition issue

141

Performance issue

82

Engine behavior

70

Thermal issue

49

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

47

Fluid issue

37

Vibration/harshness

34

Braking behavior

31

Noise

30

Electrical issue

26

Lighting behavior

23

Steering behavior

23

Ride/handling behavior

22

Infotainment behavior

19

Safety restraint behavior

16

Access/entry issue

15

Smell

12

Starting behavior

11

Recent change

10

Powering on/off behavior

9

Driver assistance issue

8

Wiper/washer behavior

5

HVAC behavior

3

Communication/network issue

2

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2008 BMW 5 SERIES

Filed Nov 5, 2025


My vehicle had a faulty PCV valve that was under Stop Drive, order. I received no correspondence from the NHTSA nor from BMW of North America in regards to this. My BMW X-5 had significant issues that are directly associated with this issue. After contacting BMW of North America directly because I could not reach anyone at my nearest BMW Service Department, it was escalated twice to attempt to arrange for my vehicle that I unknowingly continued to drive. My vehicle has sat undriven since May…

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…

2011 BMW 5 SERIES

Filed Mar 21, 2023


The contact owns a 2011 BMW 5 Series. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed as a camshaft failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number- 14V176000 ( Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000. The VIN was not available.

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


Fire

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


Crash

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.

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated May 30, 2026. Refreshed nightly.