7 Series (E65)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
N62B48
4.8L 8-cyl / 360 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
N62B44
4.4L 8-cyl / 328 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
BMW 7 Series Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
6.0-V12-Gas
6.0L 12-cyl / 429 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the BMW 7 Series, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2002-2008 BMW 7 Series
On a used 2002-2008 BMW 7 Series, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the transmission and drivetrain (234), the airbags and driver-assist systems (171) and the body and structure (170). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 234 owner complaints on the 2002-2008 BMW 7 Series about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 171 owner complaints on the 2002-2008 BMW 7 Series about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 170 owner complaints on the 2002-2008 BMW 7 Series about the body and structure.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 140 owner complaints on the 2002-2008 BMW 7 Series about the electrical system.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 114 owner complaints on the 2002-2008 BMW 7 Series about the engine, all engines combined.
Recalls (6)
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LOWER RUBBER MOUNT OF THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY NOT ADHERE CORRECTLY TO ITS HOUSING WITHIN THE SHOCK ABSORBER.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT HEATING SYSTEMS, UPON ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, EXCESSIVE CONTACT WITH THE SIDE BOLSTER THAT IS CONTAINED IN THE SEAT'S BACKREST MAY DAMAGE THE HEATING MAT LOCATED IN THIS AREA. IF SUCH DAMAGE WERE TO OCCUR, WITH THE SYSTEM TURNED ON, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY FEEL EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THIS AREA.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (ODS) MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RELIABLY DETERMINE IF THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS OCCUPIED.
Show 1 older recall
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8 AND 12 CYLINDER ENGINES, THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL (EMC) UNITS WERE NOT PRODUCED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS.
Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2002-2008 BMW 7 Series complaints?
Owners have filed 866 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2008 BMW 7 Series. The systems they name most often are the transmission, the safety systems and the body and trim.
Is the 2002-2008 BMW 7 Series a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 866 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2008 BMW 7 Series. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002-2008 BMW 7 Series have?
NHTSA has 866 owner complaints on file for the 2002-2008 BMW 7 Series as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2002-2008 BMW 7 Series?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls covering some 2002-2008 BMW 7 Series vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used BMW 7 Series?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the transmission, the safety systems and the body and trim, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the 7 Series have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2002-2008 BMW 7 Series. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 866 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.