Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Engine & cooling

BMW 7 Series Engine problems by year

162 complaints filed with NHTSA about the BMW 7 Series's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
201028120
200917000
20088000
200711001
200638011
200510350
200418000
200316000
200216200

Engine recalls

Latest 7 Series engine complaints

2010 BMW 7 SeriesTransmission & drivetrainEngine & coolingFuel system

Due to the terrible turbo v design my n63 engine , stalls, throws misfire codes, tranny malfunctioning codes , lean fuel codes , it's truly dangerous to drive . The vehicle sits at 101250 miles that's driven less than 10k miles per year since it was produced and I was totally mislead , unfairly charged for something that was deemed to be great & life changing but it has been the total opposite! I truly want BMW of America to repair because this doesn't happen if they did not design the vehicle to destroy itself in order to make monies ! Please help me with this car .. PLEASE . Thanks

Filed Incident Power train · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11718066
2010 BMW 7 SeriesElectrical systemEngine & coolingFuel systemCrashFire2 injuries

Car caught fire while parked. No signal on car indicating any problem. Car caught fire in front of my child's community center exposing children to smoke inhalation. I had to call the fire department to put out the fire. My car year and model was recalled for this but not my VIN. This has never happened to any of my cars in my life I'm just thinking how bad it could of been if I was one the highway.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11715899
2010 BMW 7 SeriesEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2010 BMW 750LI. The contact stated that upon the start of the engine, a white-colored smoke began to emit from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the engine was leaking both oil and coolant which resulted in engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered partial credit towards the cost of a new engine. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11625040
2006 BMW 7 SeriesTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

In 2009, we bought this 2006 BMW 750Li as pre-owned and certified warranty from BMW of Tenafly, New Jersey. We have registration address maintained in New Jersey, and have not updated, even though we moved to Chicago, Illinois in summer of 2011. BMW issued 6 recalls for 7-series manufactured between 2005 and 2008. The recalls on manufacturer defects on electric and transmission in 2012 and 2013, and again in 2017. We missed all of the notices for these recalls. The vehicle was driven for less than 50,000 miles,...

Read the full complaint

from 2009 to 2019. The vehicle was inspected, and in good mechanical conditions, as well as body, since the vehicle has been garaged most of times. Since 2019, the vehicle has been in shops for repairs for electric and transmission and engine. It has been more than 3 years for our vehicle in the shops, and over $21,000 spent, there is no sign that the vehicle can be driven. Thus, we checked the online and found out the BMW recalls on this vehicle in 2012 and 2013. We called BMW Customer Relations & Services, multiple times. BMW denied the recalls. We checked with the attorneys, including the ones who filed class action suits against BMW with billion dollars win for the customers on BMW defects. All said BMW shall honor their recalls. Further, the recalls will never be expired. Now BMW has declined taking calls, responding email, and recently shifting the failing repair to a BMW dealer. What shall we do? We have sent letter to their legal department. A shop who tried to repair over 2 years reported to us that this 2006 BMW 750Li has a very bad reputation on electric and transmission. He said this is a common agreement among BMW dealers. Since BMW customer relations and services now shut us out, what department within BMW shall we go to. Shall we find an attorney for another class action suit, which occurred already? The consumer is requesting reimbursement of $21k for repairs made as well as payment made to purchase the vehicle.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11504344
2007 BMW 7 SeriesElectrical systemAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

Water linkage down door panels to the floor, Drivers side ECM is located in that area, water damages the components and caused it to produce codes, interfering with car engine, causes surges, and vehicle to all of sudden shut off even while driving on freeway or streets. Water linkage on the passenger side down into the fuse box. All so causing electrical malfunction that opens the door for potential unsafe events.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 11481058
2007 BMW 7 SeriesEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2007 BMW 750i. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving or idling, he heard a rattling noise coming from the engine. The contact then stated that on another occasion while driving, he heard a rattling noise in the engine while making a left turn then the vehicle stalled. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11478661
2006 BMW 7 SeriesBrakesEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 750LI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, there was oil leaking onto the ground and also onto the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake vacuum pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · EngineNHTSA 11477374
2009 BMW 7 SeriesEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2009 BMW 750LI. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was a loud rattling sounding coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certificated mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the timing belt was worn and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and the contact was informed that a representative would provide a callback. The manufacturer was contacted and suggested that the vehicle be diagnosed. The failure mileage was 107,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11476424
2010 BMW 7 SeriesEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2010 BMW 750XI. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming a quart of oil at an excessive rate. The contact also stated that while driving at various speeds, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that coolant had been leaking from the engine; however, the source of the leak was unknown. The contact was also informed that the valve seals were defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11459963
2008 BMW 7 SeriesSteeringBrakesEngine & cooling

My car one day just turned on all lights inside including emergency break and the engine started smoking out....

Filed Incident Steering · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11455953
2010 BMW 7 SeriesEngine & cooling

This vehicle presents a oil consumption problem is supposed be corrected for bmw with a costumer care package bmw just do partial or incomplete repairs a have all the documentation the most important never performed whem a contact different dealership no one provide a valid explanation a avoid performance the correct service car don't have 50k since they performed service and the oil consumption is huge and not normal they don't provide the complete service

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11453133
2010 BMW 7 SeriesEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2010 BMW 750LI. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle there was a loud backfire and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who stated that the engine head gasket was blown. No further information was available. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11427719
2010 BMW 7 SeriesElectrical systemEngine & cooling

I purchased this car in june of 2019. I received a carfax report before the purchase. The car was very clean inside and outside. I was pleased with th car until it started smoking every time the engine got warm. I had to keep adding oil almost every two to three days. Every time I stopped, for traffic , red light or started from a stop position blue smoke would come from exhaust and there is a horrible smell of burnt oil and antifreeze. My car progressively got worst until white smoke steam would come from...

Read the full complaint

under the hood and every time I drov e short distances I would have to add engine coolant. Before this happened, I had to have an oil changed and a checkup at the bmw dealership in april,(the car was smoking and smelling like engine coolant. I was informed then that there had been an lawsuit against bmw for not advising the owners of certain models and engines would have the above mentioned problem. I was told if I had brought my car in before feb. 2020, I would be eligible for the benefits entitled to owners of this engine. But because I didn't bring my car in, time had expired. I also learned that there was a recall on my car which parts had to be ordered for and were later added to my vehicle by the dealership. I was not notified about the lawsuit relating to the engine problems by the selling shea used cars, formally patsy lou, mega lot or grand blanc motorsports (bmw dealership) that informed in april about the lawsuit. If I had been notified regarding my car I would responded appropriately. Now to properly fix my car I need $15,227.38 . I am of course now paying for a car that I can't enjoy because of this issued. Any and all help would be appreciated.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11375480
2009 BMW 7 SeriesTransmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

Most bmw v8 engines including my own (n62,n63) have know major flaws with valve stem seals and timing chains. These issues cause catastrophic damage to engines and emissions system. It is a major safety issue as well as environmental issue. Vehicles end up immobile on the highway or emitting excesive smoke and fumes into the atmosphere. Bmw has had a class action lawsuit over this I dont believe thats enough. These vehicles need to be repaired

Filed Incident Power train · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 11375325

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience