RoadVitals

2011 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.
3
Latest Oct 19, 2017
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.
1
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 BMW 7 Series, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and powertrain (other) categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 49 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

  • Engine133.3%
  • Fuel system133.3%
  • Powertrain (other)133.3%

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

1 campaign 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

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

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Oct 19, 2017

BMW 750 I XDRIVE 2011 --EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION AND OR BURNING. THE DESIGN OF THE VALVE STEM SEALS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE SAFETY CONCERNS ARE THE FOLLOWING: 1) FIRE HAZARD. 2) PROPERTY DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJURY 3) POLLUTING THE ENVIRONMENT WITH EXCESSIVE SMOKE 4) ADDITIONAL COST BURDEN FOR CONSUMERS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND AT THE POINT OF ACCELERATION, THE IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF SMOKE THAT IS COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. THE OIL MEASURE TURN TO LOW AFTER JUST 2 WEEKS OF ADDING OIL TO THE ENGINE. FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS, BMW SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND BE FORCED TO REPAIR THE ENGINEERING DESIGN FLAWS IN THEIR ENGINE THAT BURN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CARRY THE COST BURDEN OF REPAIRING THIS DESIGN FLAWS. AS AN OWNER, I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN BMW

NHTSA ID
11034531
Incident
Oct 19, 2017
Mileage
95,520 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 29, 2017

ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP FAILURE ON MY 2011 BMW 750LI XDRIVE. SHOULD BE COVERED IN RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V521000). HOWEVER, BMW REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL. TOOK IN TO RAY CATENA BMW OF WESTCHESTER (543 TARRYTOWN RD., WHITE PLAINS, NY 10607, 914-761-5555) ON 6/27/2017. SHOWED THEM PRINTOUT OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V521000. SERVICE MANAGER SAID EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL INCLUDED THE 2011 BMW 750LI XDRIVE, MY SPECIFIC CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I HAD TO COME OUT OF POCKET $949.31 TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED. *JS

NHTSA ID
11002425
Incident
Jun 27, 2017
Mileage
47,049 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 8, 2015

SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2012, AFTER WARRANTY THE CAR HAS CONSTANT BREAKDOWNS, I HAVE SPENT >3500 DOLLARS IN LAST YEAR, AGAIN GOT A MESSAGE "DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION" ABOUT A WEEK AGO, TOOK TO DEALER ROADSHOW BMW IN MEMPHIS, THEY SAID HIGH FUEL PUMP AND PLUGS NEED TO BE REPLACED IN ABOUT $1000, I AGREED AND LEFT CAR, TWO DAYS LATER THEY CALLED THAT THERE IS ANOTHER 'PLATE LEAKING OIL' AND NEEDS ANOTHER $1000 REPAIR. THIS WAS NOT THERE WHEN I LEFT THE CARE. I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE FIRST TIME, ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO, WITH OUT HELP, AND AGAIN YESTERDAY. MY CAR IS IN SHOP AT DEALER.I CAME TO KNOW THAT THIS FUEL PUMP PROBLEM IS VERY COMMONLY REPORTED IN BMW BUT SURPRISINGLY COMPANY HAS NOT RECALLED IT OR ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD RESULT IN FATAL ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES. BMW SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS AND RECALLS AND FIXING THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE FATAL INJURIES OCCUR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10704446
Incident
Apr 1, 2015
Mileage
68,000 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)

B650425

AIR BAGS; STRUCTURE:BODY

Vehicle has the air bag warning lamp on after a body shop has made repairs. There is a fault code stored in the air bag control module ACSM3: 930A5B airbag sensor, door, front left: open circuit 30A65 airbag sensor, door, front right: open circuit

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.

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
2011Viewing310
2010220
2009920
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.