2009 BMW 7 Series Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 BMW 7 Series, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- 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.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
POWER TRAIN WARNING COMES ON AND VEHICLE LOOSES POWER
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE HOURS AFTER IT WAS PARKED AT HOME DRIVEWAY
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR SIGNAL KEEPS GOING OUT AS IF THE BULB NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ONCE I RESTART THE CAR EVERYTHING IS FINE FOR FEW HOURS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .