BMW 750I Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used BMW 750I options? We analyzed 10 model years (2012–2022) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Found a BMW 750I? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the BMW 750I has 30 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls across model years 2012–2022. The most reported issue area is ENGINE. 2012 drew the most complaints; 2014 drew the fewest.
- Make
- BMW
- Model
- 750I
- Model years analyzed
- 2012–2022 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 30
- Safety recall campaigns
- 5
- Crash-related complaints
- 1
- Fire-related complaints
- 1
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2012 (11 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2014 (4 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ENGINE
- Reliability signal
- Average
By model year
BMW 750I: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
AverageThe BMW 750I has 30 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. 1 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 30 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 5 federal recall campaigns
- 1 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Jul 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
5 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2012–2022. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 30 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
30 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 750I. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was idling rough. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was making an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as a timing chain failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000.
Transmission secure vehicle with parking break when stationary. The vehicle jumps from park to neural by its self randomly and pops up with the transmission warning. Heard it's a common problem should be recalled
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 750I. The contact stated that while stopped in traffic, a wildfire began to approach his vehicle. The contact then stated that white smoke obstructed his vision on the highway. As the contact depressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle stalled with the transmission disengaged message on the instrument panel. The contact restarted the vehicle three times before the transmission re-engaged and the contact was able to escape the thick smoke that had covered his vehicle. The contact called the dealer and spoke to a service advisor who stated that the heat from the fire caused the vehicle to stall. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred him back to the dealer for an inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.
VEHICLE CONSUMES LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL. MOST OIL BURNS AND RELEASES FROM THE EXHAUST WHEN DRIVING.. ENGINE REQUIRES A REPLACEMENT FROM BMW.
THERE IS WHITE SMOKE THAT IS COMING OUT OF THE BACK PIPES OF THE CAR. THE CAR IS BURNING THROUGH OIL. I AM PUTTING A QUART IN EVERY 2 -3 WEEKS. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT IT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE 2009 MODEL. THE 2009 750I HAS BEEN RECALLED TO FIX THE ENGINE PROBLEM AND I HAVE A 2012 MODEL. THE SMOKE COMES OUT WHEN I AM DRIVING NOT WHEN IT IS STATIONARY ON THE CITY STREET, HIGHWAY OR WHEREVER. I DON'T FEEL SAFE. I AM GOING TO START DRIVING MORE DISTANCE AND I DON'T WANT TO RUN OUT OF OIL AND CAUSE MORE DAMAGE TO MY CAR. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE OIL CONSUMPTION. THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES SURROUNDING THE CAR. I AM NOT A MECHANIC. BUT, I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THIS CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WHEN I BOUGHT IT.
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.
Read 14 more owner reports
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 750I. AFTER CHARGING THE VEHICLE, THE "ENGINE COMPARTMENT HOT" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,850.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 750I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V248000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BMW OF ONTARIO (1350 AUTO CENTER DR, ONTARIO, CA 91761, (909) 906-4000) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
ON JANUARY 10TH 2018, MY BMW (2012, 750I), SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED IN OUR GARAGE, UNDER MY SON'S BEDROOMS, AFTER NOT BEING ON FOR 14.5 HOURS. *BF *TR
DEALER REPORTED THAT MOISTURE ENTERED A WATERPROOF ENCLOSURE THAT HOUSES THE BRAKE MODULATOR. WATER ENTERED THRU A DRAIN HOLE FROM THE COWL AND BYPASSED A PLATE MEANT TO KEEP WATER OUT. ONCE EFFECTED BY MOISTURE THE MODULATOR SHUT DOWN ALL FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR INCLUDING THE ENGINE WHILE MOVING. BMW BLAMED IT ON PARTIAL SUBMERSION OF THE MODULATOR BUT CAR WAS NEVER EFFECTED BY WATER/SUBMERSION AND THE DEALER AGREED THAT THEIR WAS NO EVIDENCE OF THAT AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING TO SUPPORT THAT CONDITION. UPON REPAIR DEALER WENT TO GREAT LENGTHS TO TRY AND SEAL COMPARTMENT AND INSTALL DIVERTER THAT WAS REPLACED IN THE REPAIR TO PREVENT REOCCURRENCE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN MANUFACTURE ON A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF CARS MADE BY BMW FOR THIS SPECIFIC MODEL. OWNERS NEED TO KNOW THAT THE CONDITIONS EXPERIENCED HAVE A MUCH DIFFERENT EFFECT ON SAFETY DUE TO THE HYBRID DESIGN THAN A STANDARD NON HYBRID CAR.
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 AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN IGNORED.
Coolant system
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 750i. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Active Protection Restricted" was displayed. Additionally, a message advising to drive the vehicle slowly and carefully was displayed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the passenger's side front seat belt was faulty. The dealer recommended the seat belt replacement. The dealer informed the contact that the repair was not covered under a recall or warranty coverage, and the dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
Last month, my 2016 BMW 750i XDrive displayed a warning message on the dashboard: “Extended action required. Active Protection restricted. You can continue driving. Roadside Assistance not required. Pre-tensioning of seatbelts not possible. If the problem recurs, have it checked by your service center.” When I took the vehicle to my local dealership, BMW of Gwinnett Place, the service advisor mentioned he had never seen this warning before. After diagnosing the vehicle, he informed me that the warning was related to the passenger seatbelt. He quoted me $1934.93 for parts and labor to replace the seatbelt. When I inquired about any recalls for this issue, he said there were none and that I would have to pay out of pocket. I expressed my concern that this is a major safety issue and that my family’s lives are in danger if they are sitting in the passenger seat. He reiterated that there was nothing more he could do. I contacted BMW to report the issue and seek a remedy. The representative stated that since my vehicle is out of warranty, the responsibility is mine. I strongly believe BMW should issue a recall for this issue and take full responsibility to resolve and fix the seatbelt problem on this vehicle. This is a significant safety concern, and consumers’ lives are at great risk due to this seatbelt problem on my 2016 BMW 750i.
There are two grill shutter actuators. One for the upper and one for the lower. Different part numbers. NHTSA issued a TSB for N63R in 2019: MC-10160279-9999 (G12 (N63R)/G30 (B58M) RADIATOR GRILL UPPER AND LOWER ACTIVE AIR FLAPS: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES). My vehicle is a N62R and there are hundreds perhaps thousands of reports of the IDENTICAL part numbers from BROSE Manufacturing (USA / Germany) failing. For example, my upper failed in APR 2023 after a repair I paid for in SEP 2022 with a P/N manufactured in 2021. Then, the lower actuator failed which has a manufacture date of 2017 (so it is the OEM part). Though the upper actuator is coded to remain open on fault, the lower is for some reason coded to remain closed on fault. If the fault codes are incorrectly interpreted by the [XXX] when the vehicle is in operation, then the engine could quickly overheat and lead to major issues for the occupants, but likely result in thousands of dollars of engine repairs. I urge you to reconsider the TSB and issue a recall/warranty extension for all BMW G11/12/30 and similar (in fact, this part is used on all series with upper and lower shutters: 5, 7 and X from 2015.) The main problem I am having is that there ARE NO PARTS IN STOCK at BMW worldwide. [XXX] has not responded. Thank you. “INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”
Active radiator grille malfunction Active grille is stuck in closed position increasing the chances of the engine overheating and related safety risks. This problem has been reported in multiple BMW models and model years but the MY2016 G12 with a production date of March 2016 is not mentioned in previous service bulletins. Attaching links to service bulletins for same model but different production dates and for different models with the same issue. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10160279-9999.pdf https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10170559-9999.pdf Driver was alerted to the issue when the check engine light came on. Upon diagnosis, DTC code P05AE was found to be the reason for the check engine light which indicates an active grille issue.
I OWN THIS 2016 VEHICLE FOR 2.5 YEAR (2018 TO 2021), I HAD TO CHANGE WHEELS DUE TO SPONTANEOUS CRACKS ON THE WHEELS DUE TO NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. ALSO WHEEL SEPARATE FROM TIRE, AND SUDDEN TIRE PRESSURE LOSS HAPPENS EVEN FALLING INTO SMALL POTHOLES. I ALREADY HAD TO CHANGE 2 FRONT WHEELS AND 3 TIRES IN TWO YEARS AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN AFTER FALLING INTO A SMALL POT HOLE. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. 20" BMW RIMS WHEELS 648M G11 G12 750I G30 OEM FACTORY 7/5 SERIES.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOES BLANK WHICH YOU CAN NOT SEE HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE CAR, HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING OR ANYTHING. WHICH IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD.
RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 16V-173: AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT RECEIVED THE ATTACHED FROM BMW STATING THEY ARE READY TO PERFORM THE REPAIR PER THIS RECALL. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THIS PART.% MONTHS LATER STILL NO WORD OF REPLACEMENT PART. I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS AND THEY FINALLY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE DEALERSHIP.
The check engine light stays on because of the defective wire harness. It was made of very low quality and I feel strongly this is a major safety defect and needs to be rectified. NHTSA should initiate a vehicle recall because of this.
Showing 20 of 30 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact BMW 750I
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used BMW 750I, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The BMW 750I has 30 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The BMW 750I has 5 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 1 of the BMW 750I's 30 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all BMW 750I vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two BMW 750I vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The BMW 750I has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a BMW 750I by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used BMW 750I.
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BMW 750I reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the BMW 750I reliable?
Average. The BMW 750I has 30 NHTSA owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ENGINE. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which BMW 750I years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2012 (11 complaints), 2013 (7 complaints), 2014 (4 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common BMW 750I problems?
Top reported issues: ENGINE (11 complaints); POWER TRAIN (7 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4 complaints).
Does the BMW 750I have recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the BMW 750I. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.