RoadVitals

2013 BMW 740LI

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.
7
Latest Jan 27, 2021
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 Jun 14, 2017
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 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 BMW 740LI, most frequently naming the airbags, engine and fuel system categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 310 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

  • Airbags116.7%
  • Engine116.7%
  • Fuel system116.7%
  • Interior & seats116.7%
  • Other / unspecified116.7%
  • Powertrain (other)116.7%

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
17V379000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Jun 14, 2017
92 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: Vehicles with the incorrect left rear lamp assemblies may be less conspicuous to other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect left rear taillight assemblies, free of charge. The recall began August 11, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service 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 Jan 27, 2021

II WAS ON FLORIDA TURNPIKE LATE NIGHT AROUND 10.30PM WITH MY WIFE GOING SOUTH AND ALL OF SUDDEN WE HEAR LOUD NOISE FROM OUR CAR AND THE CAR STARTED TO SHUT OFF BY ITSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY . I WAS GOING ON 70 MILES PER HOUR AND WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THERE WAS ONLY FEW CARS ON THE ROAD I WAS ABLE TO STEER IT TO THE SHOULDER . AFTER COMING OUT OF THE CAR I SEE LOT OF SMOKE AND LOTS OF OIL COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE . AND I SAW THERE WAS A TRAIL OF OIL BEHIND THE CAR. WE WERE STUCK ON TPK FOR 4 HOUR IN COLD BEFORE ANY HELP COULD ARRIVE . FHP TROOPER STOP BY AND SAID THAT WE HAD A BROKEN ENGINE. WE HAD TO TOW OUR 145 MILES TO OUR HOUSE . I AM SO EMBRASSED TO GOT A BMW THAT HAS SUCH PROBLEM

NHTSA ID
11390376
Incident
Jan 21, 2021
Mileage
68,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 22, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 740LI. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR AND VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON WHILE THE DRIVESHAFT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 101,000.

NHTSA ID
11233970
Incident
Jul 16, 2019
Mileage
101,000 mi
Filed Mar 31, 2016

THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK BY TOUCH OR WITH THE REMOTE. HAD TO USE THE SLIDE OUT KEY TO UNLOCK THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. ONCE INSIDE THE VEHICLE THE BUTTON INSIDE WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE OTHER DOORS. PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE ANY NUMBER OF TIMES WOULD NOT OPEN THE OTHER 3 DOORS. I HAD TO CRAWL OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. NOT VERY SAFE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, WHICH COULD BE AT ANYTIME WITH A MEDICAL CONDITION I SUFFER FROM.

NHTSA ID
10852711
Incident
Mar 20, 2016
Mileage
32,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Nov 16, 2015

TWO WHEELS HAVE CRACKED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 33,000 MILES OF NORMAL DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
10790662
Incident
Nov 16, 2015
Mileage
33,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Nov 12, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 740LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TRUNK PISTON FRACTURED AND THE LID CRASHED ONTO THE CONTACT'S BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TRUNK PISTON AND LID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. UPDATED 12/30/14*CN

NHTSA ID
10654432
Incident
Aug 9, 2014
Mileage
3,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 12, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 740LI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FUEL COMPROMISED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF, AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000. UPDATED 12/30/14*CN

NHTSA ID
10654428
Incident
Nov 5, 2014
Mileage
7,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 7, 2013

MY WIFE HAS HAD SURGERY AND NEEDS A SEAT CUSHION. WHEN WE USE IT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE THE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT GOES ON. BMW OFFERS NO SOLUTION. "YOU MAY NOT USE A NON BMW AUTHORIZED CUSHION" ON YOU PASSENGER SEAT. I ASKED FOR AN AUTHORIZED BMW CUSHION, THEY SAID NON EXISTS. WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE OUR CAR IN THAT CONDITION. THIS IS A REAL HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10510942
Incident
Apr 25, 2013
Mileage
1,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

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.

B010122

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered into a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Isley, et al. v. Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft and BMW of North America, LLC.

B010919

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicle's Fuel Injectors to 10 years/120,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original in-service date.

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 740LI by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2022410—
2021050—
2020040—
2019010—
2018000—
2017000—
2016110—
2015110—
2014310—
2013Viewing710—
2012510—
2011110039.0

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.