BMW

7 Series (F01)

2009-2015 · Full-Size Sedan · 1 engine
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (2.0)
421 NHTSA Complaints
3 Recalls
36 Fire Reports
8 Crash Reports
Includes data from: 7 SERIES740I740LD XDRIVE740LI740LI XDRIVE740LXI750I750I XDRIVE750LI750LI SEDAN750LI XDRIVE750LXI750XI760LIACTIVE HYBRID 750IACTIVE HYBRID 750LIACTIVEHYBRID 7
View all 4 generations of the BMW 7 Series → 📋 Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

N52B30

3.0L 6-cyl / 315 hp
⚠️ Caution (2.0)
43 complaints 8.6 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports
View details

1 additional engine variant with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the BMW 7 Series regardless of engine variant.

Fuel System Issues (15 complaints)
fuel_system critical
Interior Issues (10 complaints)
interior critical
Engine Issues (7 complaints)
engine critical

Recalls (3)

18V248000Apr 17, 2018serious
Engine & Cooling

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

17V379000Jun 13, 2017serious
Exterior Lighting

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2015 740i, 740Li, 740Lxi, 750i, 750xi, 750Li and 750Lxi and 2014 ActiveHybrid 7 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have received incorrect replacement left rear taillight assemblies. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

17V067000Feb 1, 2017serious
Powertrain

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.

Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2009-2015 BMW 7 Series problems?

The 2009-2015 BMW 7 Series has accumulated 421 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Fuel System, Interior, Engine. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which BMW 7 Series engine is most reliable?

The 2009-2015 BMW 7 Series was offered with 2 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.0L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2009-2015 BMW 7 Series a good used car?

The 2009-2015 BMW 7 Series can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 421 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009-2015 BMW 7 Series have?

The 2009-2015 BMW 7 Series has 421 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2009-2015 BMW 7 Series?

There are 3 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2009-2015 BMW 7 Series vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used BMW 7 Series?

Before buying a used BMW 7 Series, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Fuel System, Interior, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the 7 Series have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2009-2015 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. 421 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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