Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
20–25K
125–50K
850–75K
675–100K
5100–150K
1150K+
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
66,700 miles · Mar 1, 2010
Seats
HOT SPOT IN THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT FROM THE SEAT HEATER. THE FAILURE WAS THE HEATING ELEMENT BURNED A NICKEL-SIZED HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT, THROUGH MY WINTER COAT, AND SINGED MY PANTS. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING BUT STOPPED AT A LIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ONCE I NOTICED THE SMOKE RISING FROM THE COAT AFTE…
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HOT SPOT IN THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT FROM THE SEAT HEATER. THE FAILURE WAS THE HEATING ELEMENT BURNED A NICKEL-SIZED HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT, THROUGH MY WINTER COAT, AND SINGED MY PANTS. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING BUT STOPPED AT A LIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ONCE I NOTICED THE SMOKE RISING FROM THE COAT AFTER SMELLING SOMETHING VERY BAD. I DIDN'T FEEL THE HEAT DUE TO THE WINTER COAT. THE DEALERSHIP IS REPLACING THE ENTIRE SEAT AS THE HEATING ELEMENT AND SEAT ARE ONE COMPONENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10315316
26,000 miles · Mar 2, 2007
SeatsFire
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 645I WITH A CURRENT ODOMETER READING OF 26000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UNDER DRY CONDITIONS AT ABOUT 5 MPH HE FELT AN ELECTRIC SHOCK IN HIS BUTTOCKS FROM THE SEAT. THE CONTACT REPOSITIONED HIMSELF IN THE SEAT AND FELT THE SHOCK AGAIN, AND THIS TIME IT WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN H…
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TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 645I WITH A CURRENT ODOMETER READING OF 26000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UNDER DRY CONDITIONS AT ABOUT 5 MPH HE FELT AN ELECTRIC SHOCK IN HIS BUTTOCKS FROM THE SEAT. THE CONTACT REPOSITIONED HIMSELF IN THE SEAT AND FELT THE SHOCK AGAIN, AND THIS TIME IT WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN HIS LEG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM HIS SEAT. HE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND AS HE LOOKED IN THE HOLE IN THE SEAT HE COULD SEE ELECTRIC CURRENT PASSING THROUGH . THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT AND DISCONNECTED THE FUSE FOR THE HEATED SEATS. THE CONTACT MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10184011
3,700 miles · Jun 21, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
THE CAR WAS DRIVEN HOME FROM WORK, APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES, AND WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE OF OUR HOME. TEN MINUTES LATER IT COMBUSTED AND BEGAN BURNING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT BURNED TO THE GROUND AND GUTTED OUR HOUSE.
NHTSA ODI #10126071
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.
2005 BMW 645CI Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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