2006 BMW 750LI Engine Problems

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, 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.

NHTSA ID

11504344

Incident

Aug 20, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID

11477374

Incident

Aug 3, 2022

Mileage

129,000 mi

THE DOORS FROM INSIDE DON'T OPEN UP WHEN THE CAR LOSES POWER YOU ARE LOCKED INSIDE ALSO THE ENGINE SMOKES EVEN WHEN THE GASKETS AND SEALS HAVE BEEN REPLACED.THE CAR SUSPENSION IN THE REAR IS TERRIBLE ALSO AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF EVEN WHEN THE DEALER RAN DIAGNOSIS ON THE CAR CAR IS PARKED

NHTSA ID

11355444

Incident

Aug 19, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING ALL OVER THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURES WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V502000 (POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

NHTSA ID

11253289

Incident

Aug 15, 2019

Mileage

165,000 mi

MY 2006 BMW 750LI WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVE ON FRIDAY 7/5/2019 AROUND 11:00 P.M. AND REMAINED THERE. ON SUNDAY MORNING 7/7/2019 AROUND 8:45 A.M. MY CAR ALARM SOUNDED AND WHEN I LOOK OUTSIDE MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE BLAZE FROM THE FIRS NOT ONLY BURNED UP MY BMW BUT ALSO MY DAMAGED MY SUV AND DAMAGED MY OTHER CAR. THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR OVER 36 HOURS BEFORE THE FIRE BEGAN.

NHTSA ID

11230439

Incident

Jul 7, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE VALVE SEAL, WHICH CAUSED ENGINE DAMAGE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER (OTTO'S BMW, 1275 WILMINGTON PIKE, WEST CHESTER, PA 19382 (610) 399-6800) THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HEATING OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME, IT PRODUCED A LARGE AMOUNT OF BLACK SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL FOR THAT YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *TT *TR

NHTSA ID

11048750

Incident

Nov 23, 2017

Mileage

110,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, COOLING SYSTEM AND ENGINE NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,031.

NHTSA ID

10985909

Incident

May 9, 2017

Mileage

131,031 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED, KNOCKED, AND SHOOK. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND RANDOMLY STALLED. THE INDEPENDENT DEALER WAS NOTIFIED MORE THAN THREE TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR OVER A MONTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THAT THE ENGINE WAS MISFIRING. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SHAKE AND STALL. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO TOW THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

NHTSA ID

10840306

Incident

Jul 13, 2015

Mileage

107,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LI. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STUTTERED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ID

10621357

Incident

Jun 7, 2010

Mileage

20,000 mi

2006 BMW 750 LI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE OIL LEAK AND MAJOR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. *SMD THE DEALER AGREED TO FIX THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, WHEN THE CONSUMER PICKED THE VEHICLE UP, THE LEAK WAS STILL PRESENT. THE CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE HAD MULTIPLE LEAKS; THE ALTERNATOR MOUNT BRACKET SEAL WAS LEAKING, AS WELL AS THE VALVE GUIDE SEALS, THE UPPER TIMING CASE COVER SEALS, THE VALLEY PAN WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND THE VACUUM PUMP WAS LEAKING. THE MECHANIC STATED EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAD A GOOD APPEARANCE, HE OBSERVED SIGNS OF WEAR ON THE ENGINE PARTS AND ROAD GRIME AND STAINS ON OTHER ENGINE PARTS. *JB UPDATED 04/16/14. *JB

NHTSA ID

10577655

Incident

Aug 18, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM EMITTED WHITE SMOKE WHILE AT A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE HEAD GASKET SEAL FAILED AND CAUSED ENGINE OIL TO LEAK INTO THE PISTONS. THERE WAS ALSO ENGINE OIL LEAKING INTO THE VALVES, WHICH CAUSED PREMATURE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION THAT BELLOWED WHITE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ID

10574935

Incident

Mar 8, 2014

Mileage

73,000 mi

THE CAR TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE. IF YOU TRY TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE OR FORWARD GEAR NOTHING HAPPENS. THE GEAR GOES TO NEUTRAL AND DOES NOT LET PARKING GEAR OR ANY OTHER GEAR ANGAGE. IF GEAR STAYS IN DRIVE MOD AND WHEN YOU ARE WONDERING WHAT TO DO GEAR SUDDENLY ENGAGES ITSELF AND CAR SHOOTS ITSELF IF BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT PRESSED. I CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO NOTIFIED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSESS THE PROBLEM FOR A WEEK BECAUSE OF BUSY SCHEDULE. THE CAR IS IN NON DEALER SHOP CURRENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10569214

Incident

Mar 7, 2014

Mileage

54,000 mi

WHEN I WAS IN PARK PUT CAR IN REVERSE AND CAR WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE WENT BACK INTO NEUTRAL ON ITS OWN , SO I PUT CAR BACK IN PARK AND RETRIED AND PUT IT REVERSE SEVERAL TIMES AND WHEN THE TRANSMISSION KICKED INTO REVERSE THERE WAS A LARGE CLANK SOUND AND A JERK THAT FELT LIKE I HAD BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND , WHEN STOPPED AT RED LIGHT TO TAKE OFF SAME THING THE CAR JERKED AGAIN . THEN TRANSMISSION FAULT LIGHT CAME ON STATED DRIVE MODERATELY, AND ANOTHER WARNING CAME ON STATING CERTAIN GEARS WERE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY . PARKED IN GARAGE AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE CAR DID THE SAME THING , VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING TO DETECT PROBLEMS . *TR

NHTSA ID

10568923

Incident

Mar 9, 2014

Mileage

98,000 mi

WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE THE CAR LOST POWER GO FROM DURING 60MPH TO 20 MPH AND I WAS ON THE GAS, THE VEHICLE STALL OUT AND WOULD TAKE 3-10 SECONDS TO RE-GAIN ANY POWER BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD BEGIN TO ACCELERATE. ALSO ONCE COMING UP TO A STOPLIGHT OR STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WOULD FEEL AS IF SOMEONE HAD SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF ME POSSIBLY JERKING INTO GEAR. SPENT COUNTLESS TIMES AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THEM GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND, REPLACING RANDOM PARTS BEFORE REPLACING THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AND STILL THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO HAVE ISSUES. NOW THE CAR IS MISFIRING AND WILL NOT START AT ALL. BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 2 MONTHS AND STILL NOT WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10563684

Incident

Dec 20, 2013

Mileage

128,100 mi

VEHICLE HAD INDICATION OF PASSENGER MAT SENSOR FAILURE. SPOKE TO DEALERSHIP WITH NO LUCK ON COVERAGE. CALLED RECALL NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS ONLY A RECALL ON VEHICLE FOR TRANSMISSION GOING INTO NEUTRAL. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP FOR WATER PUMP FAILURE A FEW MONTHS AGO AND I ASKED ABOUT RECALLS AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NONE FOR MY VIN. THIS IS THE 3RD THING TO FAIL IN LESS THAN A YEAR OF PURCHASE. 1ST WAS DOOR ACTUATOR FAILURE, 2ND WATER PUMP FAILURE, AND NOW MAT SENSOR. *JS

NHTSA ID

10538317

Incident

Aug 27, 2013

Mileage

92,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE AS THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ID

10537710

Incident

Jun 6, 2013

Mileage

88,000 mi

DRIVING, WITH MY WIFE AS PASSENGER,ON 118 FWY, IN SIMI VALLEY CALIFORNIA AT APPROX. 11:30 PM ON JUNE 6 WHEN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING, AND WITHOUT COLLISION OR IMPACT. ENGINE WAS DISABLED AND I WAS MIRACULOUSLY ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, DESPITE LACK OF VISION FROM AIRBAG AND FROM DUST INSIDE VEHICLE. NO INDICATION OF ANY IMPACT WHATSOEVER. VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DISABLED AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC LANE. DASHBOARD HAD TWO MESSAGES: 1. "ENGINE MALFUNCTION" 2. "FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER" VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL BMW VEHICLE ON MONDAY , JUNE 10, AND I HAVE BEEN WAITING TO HEAR SOMETHING/ANYTHING FROM BMW FACTORY EVER SINCE. CLEARLY, THIS ACCIDENT COULD VERY WELL HAVE BEEN A FATALITY HAD THERE BEEN TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY OR HAD WE NOT BEEN EXTREMELY FORTUNATE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10520533

Incident

Jun 6, 2013

Mileage

89,000 mi

2 SEPARATE ISSUES 1ST, THE VEHICLE WHEN IN PARK CANNOT SWITCH TO DRIVE OR REVERSE, IT WILL ONLY SWITCH TO NEUTRAL. HAPPEN ON COUNTLESS OCCASIONS. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO RUSSELL BMW WHO TOLD ME I HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. RECALL 93562 IS NOW POSTED ON BMW WEBSITE DETAILING THE SAME ISSUE. SPOKE TO A REP WHO DISMISSED MY VEHICLE COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE VIN # DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE LUXURY PACKAGE THEREFORE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. 2ND ISSUE..THE VEHICLE BRAKES WHEN APPLIED DOES NOT STOP. TWICE IT'S HAPPEN WHEN I TRIED TO SLOW OR STOP RESULTING IN SCARING ME HALF TO DEATH AND NEAR ACCIDENTS. I ALSO ADDRESS THE RECALL 87903 WITH THE REP WHO ONCE AGAIN TOLD ME THE VIN IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE YEAR AND MODEL IS INCLUDED AS PART OF THE RECALL THE QUESTION I POSE IS WHY IS THE VIN DETERMINING THE QUALIFICATION OF THE NEED TO HAVE BMW RESPONSIBLY FIX THE 1ST YEAR MODEL OF THEIR TRIAL AND ERROR VEHICLES. I PAID WAY TOO MUCH TO BE TOLD THAT BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE THE COMFORT PACKAGE MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THEIR RECALL? IS IT GOING TO TAKE AN ACCIDENT FOR BMW TO BE FIX THE NECESSARY PROBLEMS? *TR

NHTSA ID

10499252

Incident

Sep 5, 2012

Mileage

122,000 mi

TOOK MY CAR IN TO BE SERVICED AND WAS INFORMED OF THIS LEAK IN THE VACUUM PUMP AND STEERING SWITCH. CONSEQUENTLY, I SEEN THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2006 BMWS WITH A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER OF 10V446000 WITH A RECALL DATE OF 2012-10-01 FOR THE VACUUM PUMP. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WASN'T INCLUDED.....BUT I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10487518

Incident

Apr 10, 2012

Mileage

67,970 mi

. WHILE DRIVING I CAME TO A INTERSECTION I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. I CONTINUALLY APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL UNTIL THE BRAKES RESPONDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS. THE MECHANIC FOUND CONTAMINATION IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM) THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CHANGED THE VALVES & THEN TOLD ME I HAD TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC CAUSE THE BREAKS WEREN'T WORKING WHICH I DID PAID $149 PLUS TAX. AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. PER THE RECALL, THE BRAKE BOOSTER COULD BECOME CONTAMINATED OVER TIME DUE TO THE RECALLED FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURE ADVISED ME THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10463342

Incident

Jun 22, 2012

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE ENGINE THERMOSTAT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT TWICE UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE 83,000.

NHTSA ID

10457510

Incident

Sep 1, 2009

Mileage

52,000 mi

WHEN PUSHING ON THE GAS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL, RPM'S WOULD SHOOT UP, AND WOULD TAKE 3-10 SECONDS TO RE-GAIN ANY POWER BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD BEGIN TO ACCELRATE. ALSO ONCE COMING UP TO A STOPLIGHT OR STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WOULD FEEL AS IF SOMEONE HAD SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF ME POSSIBLY JERKING INTO GEAR. SPENT COUNTLESS TIMES AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THEM GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND, REPLACING RANDOM PARTS BEFORE REPLACING THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AND STILL THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO HAVE ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10427493

Incident

Aug 12, 2009

Mileage

70,000 mi

2006 750 LI ENGINE RUNS ROUGH AND JUMPS AT A COLD START. *TS ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP, THE VEHICLE COULDN'T BE FIXED BECAUSE THE NEW SOFTWARE FOR THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10158398

Incident

Dec 22, 2005