2005 BMW 545i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict NHTSA lists 78 complaints for the 2005 BMW 545i, led by airbags (44%) and transmission/powertrain issues (19%). No recalls are on file for this model year, and only this year has data, so it cannot be ranked against other 545i years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- —/100
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 78
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Airbags
- Best nearby year
- —
- no alternative with data
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2005 BMW 545i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags34 (44%)
- Transmission & Powertrain15 (19%)
- Electrical System14 (18%)
- Brakes10 (13%)
- Seat Belts9 (12%)
- Structure & Body8 (10%)
- Engine7 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (8%)
- Steering5 (6%)
- Other3 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe the transmission downshifting hard or unexpectedly, including one case where a sudden shift from 4th to 2nd gear caused a crash.
- Some drivers report a jerking or banging sensation from the transmission when decelerating to a stop or accelerating before fully stopping.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in at least one crash after the car lost control and hit a guard rail.
- One vehicle caught fire while parked, with damage limited to the right rear before firefighters arrived.
- Owners report wheels cracking and needing replacement, plus tires wearing out very early in the vehicle's life.
- Electrical problems are described together in one case: a steering malfunction light, non-working wipers, headlights shutting off, and a blank navigation screen.
2005 BMW 545i recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2005 BMW 545i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other 545i years
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Recalls | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | No verdict | — | 78 | 0 | 18 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 BMW 545i reliable?
- NHTSA records 78 complaints for the 2005 545i, with airbags (44% of complaints) and transmission/powertrain problems (19%) as the top concerns. No recalls have been issued for this model year.
- What is the most common problem with the 2005 BMW 545i?
- Airbag-related complaints are the most common, making up 44% of all complaints filed with NHTSA for this year, with a median mileage at failure of 86,400 miles overall.
- Does the 2005 BMW 545i have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2005 BMW 545i.
- How does the 2005 BMW 545i compare to other 545i model years?
- There is only complaint data available for the 2005 model year, so it cannot be compared or ranked against other 545i years.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 BMW 545i?
- The EPA rates the 2005 545i at 18 mpg combined (15 city / 23 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450.