Before you buy
This 2012 Bmw 740li has 7 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Transmission / Drivetrain.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2012 Bmw 740li Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA official fuel economy rating for the 2012 Bmw 740li.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions.
2012 Bmw 740li Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
BMW 740Li (2012) has 7 NHTSA complaints and 1 recall. Top issues: transmission/drivetrain (3 complaints) and engine (2). No crash complaints. Low confidence due to small sample. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Bmw
- Model
- 740li
- Model year
- 2012
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 7
- Crash-related complaints
- 0
- Safety recall campaigns
- 1
- Top reported component
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Reliability signal
- Good Record
- EPA MPG combined
- 20
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 17 / 25
- Fuel type
- Premium Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Common problems
Most common 2012 Bmw 740li problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Engine Problems
Firerelated
Complaint patterns center on Transmission / Drivetrain, Engine Problems, Firerelated. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2012 Bmw 740li?
With only 7 complaints and 1 recall, the 2012 740Li does not show a clear pattern of major defects, but the low sample size limits confidence. Buyers should prioritize a pre-purchase inspection of the transmission and engine.
Transmission and engine complaints, though few, can lead to costly repairs. A single recall also warrants verification before purchase.
May Suit
This year may suit buyers who are comfortable with a thorough pre-purchase inspection and want a luxury sedan with relatively few reported issues.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers seeking a model with a high volume of positive owner feedback or those unwilling to accept low-confidence data should consider other years.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2012 Bmw 740li
Inspection Focus
- Inspect transmission for slipping, harsh shifting, or leaks.
- Check engine for unusual noises, warning lights, or oil leaks.
- Verify recall completion for any open safety recall.
Before You Close the Deal
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and drivetrain.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission and engine repairs.
- Test drive to check for transmission hesitation or engine roughness.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2012 Bmw 740li, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2012 BMW 740Li has 7 owner complaints and 1 recall. The top complaint component is Transmission/Drivetrain with 3 reports, followed by Engine Problems with 2. No crash-related complaints were filed. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
Year context: Compared to other model years with more complaints, the 2012 740Li has a low complaint count, but the low sample size makes direct comparison unreliable.
Recall context: The single recall means buyers should verify that the recall repair has been completed before purchase.
- Transmission/Drivetrain accounts for 3 of 7 total complaints.
- Engine Problems account for 2 of 7 total complaints.
- No crash-related complaints were reported.
- Transmission/Drivetrain issues reported in 3 complaints.
- Engine Problems reported in 2 complaints.
- Fire-related issue reported in 1 complaint.
Full breakdown
All 2012 Bmw 740li complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Bmw 740li. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Firerelated | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Bmw 740li. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 740LI Sedan. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 mph when the vehicle backfired which resulted in the vehicle exploding. The drive train malfunction warning light was illuminated. There was black smoking coming from the rear passenger sid…
WHILE DRIVING AT THE SPEED OF 55 MPH, A WARNING SOUNDS (DINGS) AS MY CAR READS DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION AND IT REDUCES SPEED. IT ALSO SAYS (READS) DRIVING COMFORT RESTRICTED AND IT STOPS AUTOMATICALLY AS I'M DRIVING.
LOW ENGINE OIL COMES ON EVERY FEW MONTHS AND I HAVE TO ADD OIL AT THAT TIME. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE OIL IS GOING BUT LEVEL IS DOWN TO MINIMUM. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 740LI. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND THEN LUNGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED OFTEN. DURING THE FAILURE, THE "POWER TRAIN MALFUNCTIONING" MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER W…
DRIVETRAIN SIGNAL CAME ON LIGHT IN CAR STARTED TO TURN ON AND OFF GEARSHIFT BECAME REAL COLD STARTED TO SLOW DOWN ONLY ALLOW TO GO 50 MPH
ENGINE OVER HEAT, LOST POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE CROSSING ACROSS THE ROAD. GOT MESSAGE SAYING THIS CONTACT SERVICE CENTER IMMEDIATELY.
ON OR ABOUT THE ABOVE DATE, I TRIED TO DRIVE MY NEW CAR IN 2 INCHES OF SNOW,UP A MODERATE GRADE. DESPITE THE TRACTION CONTROL AND HAVING BRAND NEW TIRES, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE ANYWAY BUT SIDEWAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS UNFIT FOR ITS PURPOSE AND USE. COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALER …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2012 Bmw 740li.
Safety recalls
2012 Bmw 740li recalls
1 campaignNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2012 Bmw 740li. The single recall means buyers should verify that the recall repair has been completed before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2012 Bmw 740li buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2012 Bmw 740li reliable?▾
Good Record. NHTSA currently shows 7 owner complaints, 0 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign for this model year. With only 7 complaints and 1 recall, the 2012 740Li does not show a clear pattern of major defects, but the low sample size limits confidence. Buyers should prioritize a pre-purchase inspection of the transmission and engine. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Bmw 740li?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (3 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (2 complaints). #3: Firerelated (1 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Bmw 740li?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2012 Bmw 740li?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2012 Bmw 740li, NHTSA complaints include 0 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 7 total complaints. 1 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2012 Bmw 740li have any recalls?▾
Yes. 1 NHTSA recall campaign affect the 2012 Bmw 740li. A major recall area is POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT. The single recall means buyers should verify that the recall repair has been completed before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2012 Bmw 740li?▾
With only 7 complaints and 1 recall, the 2012 740Li does not show a clear pattern of major defects, but the low sample size limits confidence. Buyers should prioritize a pre-purchase inspection of the transmission and engine. Transmission and engine complaints, though few, can lead to costly repairs. A single recall also warrants verification before purchase. Pay extra attention to Transmission / Drivetrain during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Bmw 740li reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2012 Bmw 740li based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.