RoadVitals

2009 BMW 7 Series

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest May 3, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Oct 20, 2011
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 BMW 7 Series, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), engine and body & structure categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 42 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Powertrain (other)321.4%
  • Engine321.4%
  • Body & structure214.3%
  • Fuel system214.3%
  • Driver assistance17.1%
  • Electrical17.1%
  • Exterior lighting17.1%
  • Brakes17.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
11V521000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

Oct 20, 2011
32,084 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 7-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 X5 SAV, AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 X6 SAV VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8- OR 12-CYLINDER, TURBOCHARGED, ENGINES BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CAN OVERHEAT.
The risk: THIS COULD LEAD TO A SMOLDERING OF THE PUMP OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.
The remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
10V047000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Feb 18, 2010
1,040 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 7-SERIES AND MODEL YEAR 2010 550i GRAND TURISMO VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110 "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLE'S ARE EQUIPPED WITH A TIRE PRESSURE LABEL INDICATING THAT THE VEHICLE'S SEATING CAPACITY IS FIVE (5) PASSENGERS. THE ACTUAL SEATING CAPACITY IS FOUR (4) PASSENGERS. THE TIRE SIZE, TIRE PRESSURE, AND VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT ON THE LABEL ARE CORRECT.
The risk: THE TIRE LABEL DOES NOT CONFORM TO FMVSS 110.
The remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUTHORIZED BMW DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIRE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 9
Body & structure
Filed May 3, 2018
Fire reported

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE HOURS AFTER IT WAS PARKED AT HOME DRIVEWAY

NHTSA ID
11091604
Incident
Jan 5, 2018
Mileage
83,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 30, 2017

CAR STALLS OUT WHEN STOPPED THIS IS AFTER N93 RECALL GAS TANK IS FULL NO ONE KNOWS WHATS WRONG AFTER SITTING UP TO AN HOUR CAR STARTS WITHOUT PROBLEM. THIS HAPPEN AT LEAST FOUR TIMES

NHTSA ID
11011526
Incident
May 31, 2017
Mileage
99,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 5, 2017

MY VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING WHILE STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS APPROXIMATELY ONCE A WEEK ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL AFTER SITTING FOR AT LEAST 1 HOUR AND WOULD RESTART AND RUN AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. I HAD MY MECHANIC INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND THERE WERE NO CODES TO INDICATE THE PROBLEM SO HE CHANGED THE LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED 1 WEEK AFTER PUMP REPLACEMENT. MY MECHANIC SUGGESTED I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A BMW DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BMW GLOBAL IMPORTS IN ATLANTA. THEIR MECHANIC SUGGESTED I CHANGE THE BATTERY AND SPARK PLUGS. THE REP SAID THERE WERE A LOT OF LOW VOLTAGE ERRORS WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE STALLING. THE VEHICLE NEVER RAN ROUGH AND AND WOULD ALWAYS START EXCEPT AFTER STALLING. SO I CHANGED THE BATTERY AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING 1 HOUR AFTER INSTALLATION AND THE PROBLEM BECAME MORE FREQUENT. THE ORIGINAL BATTERY WAS TESTED AND DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. THE ORIGINAL BATTERY WAS PUT BACK IN THE VEHICLE AND NOW THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN IN 1 HOUR. MY ORIGINAL MECHANIC ALSO ATTEMPTED TO RE-FLASH OR UPDATE ALL THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND IT STILL STALLS. THE SCREEN ALWAYS DISPLAYS "FUEL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION" WHEN THE ERROR OCCURS. THE PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND I HAVE HEARD STORIES OF OTHER BMW OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11002999
Incident
Apr 14, 2017
Mileage
106,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 18, 2016

POWER TRAIN WARNING COMES ON AND VEHICLE LOOSES POWER

NHTSA ID
10927011
Incident
Nov 18, 2016
Mileage
75,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Aug 19, 2016

09 BMW 750LI SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AFTER A DSC MALFUNCTION/ TRANSMITION MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE JUST RECEIVED THE N63 RECALL SERVICE. THIS IS VARY DANGEROUS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AROUND 70 MILES PER HOUR BEFORE IT STARTED SHAKING AND SLOWING DOWN IN FAST MOVING TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ID
10897288
Incident
Aug 19, 2016
Mileage
60,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 11, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 750I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A SERVICE CAMPAIGN (B001314 - N63), BUT THERE WAS NO PERMANENT REMEDY FOR THE CONDITION. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE WARNING LIGHT FLASHED FOR A DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION, THE VEHICLE DRASTICALLY REDUCED SPEED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10819355
Incident
Apr 13, 2015
BrakesElectrical
Filed Mar 1, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 750I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND COMING TO A STOP, THE BRAKES PULSATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. AFTER DIAGNOSIS THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000. UPDATED 6/11/13 *CN UPDATED 06/14/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID
10500913
Incident
Sep 1, 2012
Mileage
36,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 18, 2011
3 injuries reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PASSENGERS MIDDLE FINGERS WERE CAUGHT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, IN WHICH CLOSED INDEPENDENTLY. THE PASSENGER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND TWO ADDITIONAL PASSENGERS FOUND THAT THEIR FINGERS WERE CAUGHT IN THE DOOR. BOTH PASSENGERS WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED PER THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE DOOR COULD CAUSE AN INJURY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED, BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,800.

NHTSA ID
10396685
Incident
Aug 3, 2010
Mileage
3,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B110614

ENGINE

This bulletin outlines the Customer Care Package program that has been designed exclusively for BMWvehicles with the N63 engine. Vehicles with the N63 high performance engine are engineered with EfficientDynamics that provides fueleconomy without compromising on its “class leading” power and performance. To ensure these engines keep delivering the ultimate performance, we have designed this Care Package thatincludes a 6 point check, and if necessary, the replacement of one or more of the following powertraincomponents: Hot-Film Air Mass Sensors PIEZO High Pressure Fuel Injectors Engine Vacuum Pump Fuel System Low Pressure Sensor/Feed Line Fresh Air Intake Turbo Seals Crankcase Ventilation Lines (Hoses)

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.

B160623

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low CDA594 - Message (- 0x33E) missing, receiver DME, transmitter TFE

B653423

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicle’s equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additionally, the red anti-theft alarm LED in the interior mirror does not briefly flash every 2 seconds, indicating the alarm is armed.

B660523

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE; LANE DEPARTURE; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Various functions of the camera-based driver assistance systems (ADCAM system) can lead to customer complaints.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 7 Series by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012210—
2011310—
2010220—
2009Viewing920—
2008111255.6
2007132243.0
2006293450.8
2005412—
2004284353.8
2003822—
2002412—
2001200—
2000200—
1999200—
1998001—
1997201—
1996100—
1995200—
1994000—
1993000—
1992000—
1991000—
1990000—
1989000—
1988000—
1987000—
1986000—
1985000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.