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2005 BMW 645CI

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

23 reports with mileage · 10 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports4 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

33 reports
102,000 miles · Dec 7, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

I WAS DRIVING ON THE AUTOBAHN AND MY BMW 645 AND ALL FAULT MESSAGE WERE DISPLAYED. AFTER THAT, THE CAR SPEED ABRUPTLY,THEN JUST CUT OFF!I IT RESTARTED WITH CODES AND ALL THEN SHUT OFF AGAIN. THIS CONTINUED FIVE TIMES UNTIL I REACHED MY DESTINATION. I RESTART THE CAR,AND IT STARTED, BUT THE RADIO AND DOOR SIREN WAS NOT WORKING W…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE AUTOBAHN AND MY BMW 645 AND ALL FAULT MESSAGE WERE DISPLAYED. AFTER THAT, THE CAR SPEED ABRUPTLY,THEN JUST CUT OFF!I IT RESTARTED WITH CODES AND ALL THEN SHUT OFF AGAIN. THIS CONTINUED FIVE TIMES UNTIL I REACHED MY DESTINATION. I RESTART THE CAR,AND IT STARTED, BUT THE RADIO AND DOOR SIREN WAS NOT WORKING WITH NO FAULT MESSAGES;NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT; AND DROVE FINE FOR A FEW MIN. AND THEN DID THE SAME THING AGAIN!! I TOOK THE CAR TO A BMW REPAIR SHOPPED TO HAVE THE FAULT CODES READ, WHICH END UP BEING A LONG LIST OF CODES.

NHTSA ODI #10808701

79,321 miles · Dec 1, 2014
Air BagsSeat Belts

WHILE DRIVING, A SYMBOL ON THE DASBOARD DISPLAYED THE FOLLOWING ALERT MESSAGE "FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER." *JS

NHTSA ODI #10661486

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2014
Air Bags

THIS VEHICLE WAS ONLY 31,000 MILES ON IT. HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE BRINGING HOME 9 YEARS AGO. I WAS JUST INFORMED TODAY THAT THE ENTIRE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS ALL AIR BAGS IS DEFECTIVE. THIS CAR HARDLY GETS DRIVEN.. HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT.. NEVER DRIVEN IN SNOW.. ONLY A HANDFUL OF RAIN STORMS AND THAT WAS BECAUSE I GOT…

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THIS VEHICLE WAS ONLY 31,000 MILES ON IT. HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE BRINGING HOME 9 YEARS AGO. I WAS JUST INFORMED TODAY THAT THE ENTIRE COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS ALL AIR BAGS IS DEFECTIVE. THIS CAR HARDLY GETS DRIVEN.. HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT.. NEVER DRIVEN IN SNOW.. ONLY A HANDFUL OF RAIN STORMS AND THAT WAS BECAUSE I GOT CAUGHT IN ONE. IT IS IN PRISTINE CONDITION!! I JUST CALLED AN INDEPENDENT BMW SUPPLIER WHO HAS HEARD OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS SUPPLIED MANY REPAIR FACILITIES WITH THIS COMPONENT. THE COST OF THE COMPUTER IS $1,200.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640247

89,290 miles · Jul 7, 2014
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 645CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH UP A HILL, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED THE BRAKE BOOSTER , …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 645CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH UP A HILL, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED THE BRAKE BOOSTER , THE VACUUM PUMP, THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, THE VACUUM LINE, THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP, AND THE BRAKE VACUUM GASKET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,290.

NHTSA ODI #10608722

98,345 miles · Jul 7, 2014
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY BMW 645 FAULT MESSAGE DISPLAYED (TRANSMISSION RELATED MALFUNCTION,DRIVE MODERATELY). AFTER THAT,THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON,ALONG WITH A NEW FAULT MESSAGE THAT DISPLAYED (INCREASED EMISSION). AFTER THAT, THE CAR SPEED ABRUPTLY WENT FROM 60, TO (WHAT FELT LIKE FIRST GEAR),THEN JUST CU…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY BMW 645 FAULT MESSAGE DISPLAYED (TRANSMISSION RELATED MALFUNCTION,DRIVE MODERATELY). AFTER THAT,THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON,ALONG WITH A NEW FAULT MESSAGE THAT DISPLAYED (INCREASED EMISSION). AFTER THAT, THE CAR SPEED ABRUPTLY WENT FROM 60, TO (WHAT FELT LIKE FIRST GEAR),THEN JUST CUT OFF!! THERE WERE CARS AND TRUCKS ALL AROUND ME,DOING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 60 OR HIGHER,JUST MISSING ME,WHILE I'M SITTING STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY!! I PROCEEDED TO RESTART THE CAR,AND IT STARTED, WITH NO FAULT MESSAGES;NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT; AND DROVE FINE FOR A FEW DAYS,AND THEN DID THE SAME THING AGAIN!! I TOOK THE CAR TO A BMW REPAIR SHOPPED TO HAVE THE FAULT CODES READ, WHICH END UP BEING A LONG LIST OF CODES, THAT THE MECHANICS COULD NOT FIND THE REAL CAUSE OF THE ISSUE. SO,I HAD THE SHOP REPLACE MY SPARK PLUGS; IGNITION COIL; AND RESET THE COMPUTER CODES. THE CAR DROVE OKAY FOR ABOUT A MONTH,AND THEN DID THE SAME THING AGAIN!! I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO,THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE ME TO END UP IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT,I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR!! AS OF 07/06/2014, MY BMW 645 IS OFTEN SHOWING FALSE; LOW OIL MESSAGE; INCREASE EMISSION; TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION; AND CLEAR AFTER TURNING CAR OFF, AND RESTARTING THE CAR!! I AM SO CONFUSED ABOUT THIS BMW 645!! *JS

NHTSA ODI #10608586

950,000 miles · Jun 17, 2014
Engine

WATER STARTED LEAKING FROM THE CAR AND ONCE CHECKED FOUND THAT THE ALUMINUM PIPE UNDER THE INTAKE HAD A CRACKED IN IT AND HAD TO REPLACE THE PIPE WITH A NEW METAL PIPE, WHICH COST ME 1500.00 AND THE BMW MECHANIC STATES MOST OF ALL THESE CARS EXPERIENCE THIS SAME PROBLEM, WHICH CAN LOCK UP YOUR MOTOR OR CRACKED THE HEADS ON IT. …

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WATER STARTED LEAKING FROM THE CAR AND ONCE CHECKED FOUND THAT THE ALUMINUM PIPE UNDER THE INTAKE HAD A CRACKED IN IT AND HAD TO REPLACE THE PIPE WITH A NEW METAL PIPE, WHICH COST ME 1500.00 AND THE BMW MECHANIC STATES MOST OF ALL THESE CARS EXPERIENCE THIS SAME PROBLEM, WHICH CAN LOCK UP YOUR MOTOR OR CRACKED THE HEADS ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10598735

88,000 miles · May 1, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 645 CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S DOOR ERRONEOUSLY OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ODI #10586028

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2014
Air BagsSeat Belts

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE - BEEN DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH AND IT SEEMS LIKE BUNCH OF PPL GET THIS ERROR. I DON'T THINK IS NORMAL BECAUSE MY PASSENGER SEAT IS RARELY USED AND YET I'M GETTING THAT ERROR. MY CAR IS IN MINT CONDITION, NEVER ABUSED AND ALWAYS TAKEN CARED OF. LAST TIME I WAS AT THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT THE…

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PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE - BEEN DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH AND IT SEEMS LIKE BUNCH OF PPL GET THIS ERROR. I DON'T THINK IS NORMAL BECAUSE MY PASSENGER SEAT IS RARELY USED AND YET I'M GETTING THAT ERROR. MY CAR IS IN MINT CONDITION, NEVER ABUSED AND ALWAYS TAKEN CARED OF. LAST TIME I WAS AT THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ALTERNATOR MAKES THE COMPUTER GIVE OUT THAT ERROR SO I CHANGED THE ALTERNATOR AND THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE ERROR IS STILL THERE. I BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE 6SERIES MODELS CONSIDERING THAT BMW HAD SIMILAR RECALLS FOR THEIR 3, 5 AND X SERIES MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10573901

Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2013
Wheels

2005 BMW 645CI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SETTLEMENT REIMBURSEMENT FOR TWO WHEEL REPLACEMENTS. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, TWO OF THE WHEELS CONTAINED SEVERAL CRACKS ON THE INNER LIP OF THE WHEEL, WHICH CAUSED HIM TO LOOSE DANGEROUS AMOUNTS OF TIRE PRESSURE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS.

NHTSA ODI #10510073

72,230 miles · Feb 21, 2013
Seats

AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 BMW 645 CI YESTERDAY, I NOTICED A STRONG BURN SMELL IN MY CAR. I THOUGHT IT WAS OUTSIDE UNTIL I EXPERIENCED THE SAME ODOR TODAY WHEN I TURNED ON MY SEAT WARMER. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION, I'VE DISCOVERED THERE IS SMALL HOLE ON MY LEATHER SEAT. APPARENTLY, THE SEAT WARMER BURNT THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT CA…

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AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 BMW 645 CI YESTERDAY, I NOTICED A STRONG BURN SMELL IN MY CAR. I THOUGHT IT WAS OUTSIDE UNTIL I EXPERIENCED THE SAME ODOR TODAY WHEN I TURNED ON MY SEAT WARMER. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION, I'VE DISCOVERED THERE IS SMALL HOLE ON MY LEATHER SEAT. APPARENTLY, THE SEAT WARMER BURNT THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT CAUSING THE SMELL. THIS HAVE GOT TO BE A DEFECT, HOW CAN BMW ENGINEER A PRODUCT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CATCH ON FIRE. 02/20/2013 *TR.... UPDATED 03/08/13 *BF THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE COMPLAINT DELETED FROM OUR DATABASE. UPDATED 03/11/13 UPDATED 3/13/13

NHTSA ODI #10499503

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.