RoadVitals

2006 BMW 750LI Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints 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.
74
Latest Dec 31, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
34%
of 216 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 BMW 750LI submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 74 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming powertrain

The 25 most recent of 74, in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 31, 2025

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 750Li. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the message "Transmission Fault - Drive Moderate" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the contact was advised that the vehicle would need to be kept over the weekend, but the contact declined. The vehicle was taken to Pep Boys, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 159,857.

NHTSA ID
11708033
Incident
Feb 15, 2025
Mileage
159,857 mi
Body & structureElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 750LI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the gear shifter independently shifted into park. The contact also stated that water was entering the trunk of the vehicle. The contact stated that the battery had been replaced twice. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ID
11542182
Incident
Aug 8, 2022
Mileage
180,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 30, 2023

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
Driver assistanceElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 17, 2023

On Oct 29, 2012, BMW recalled its 7-Series luxury cars due to reports of transmission control problems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in the NHTSA campaign #12V502000 (power train and electric system) has caused at least 14 crashes and possibly 5 injuries, and in the NHTSA campaign #13V564000 (air bags). The recall involved 45,500 cars with model years from 2005 to 2008 that includes 2006 BMW 750LI. Our 2006 BMW 750LI’s VIN is WBAHN83586DT34592. Our purchase was from BMW of Tenafly, 301 County Road, Tenafly, NJ 07670 on 3/19/2009. Odometer reading at the time of the purchase is 45,450 miles. Sale price is $35,777.84. Our BMW 750LI was vocationally used, and mostly garaged, from 2009-2011, in New Jersey; and completely garaged, from 2011-2014, in New Jersey. The vehicle was vocationally used, from 2014-2019, in Chicago. Since 2019, the vehicle has been repaired in shops for electric and transmission failures: 3 years by Bridgeport Transmission (930 W 31st Street, Chicago, IL 60608, Tel 312 842-1887, Richard, the owner), and now already 6 months with Field BMW Northfield (700 Frontage Road, Northfield, IL 60093, Tel: 847-441-5300 x 8396, Chris Goodrich, the service advisor). Except for the electric and transmission issues, our vehicle is in wonderful condition. The body looks new. The current odometer reading is 92,000 miles. Since 2019, we have spent $1,500 for battery (as it was first suspected of the issue) by Field BMW Northfield, $6,500 for electric and transmission by Bridgeport Transmission, $650 for programming by a BMW dealership, and $5,350 for DSC control unit, and multiple tows 4 x $350 = $1,400. Total expenditure is $15,400. Currently, Field BMW Northfield asks additional $8,700 for transmission, but does not guarantee the vehicle can be repaired.

NHTSA ID
11502144
Incident
Jul 10, 2019
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 18, 2021

THE TRANSMISSION IS VERY DANGEROUS, WHEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR IT WILL REV THE ENGINE HIGH, THEN JUMP INTO GEAR AND LUNGE FORWARD. IF STOPPED AT A LIGHT, IT WOULD DEFINITELY KILL SOMEONE, AND WHEN STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE GETTING REAR-ENDED. ON THIS DATE, THE TRANSMISSION LAUNCHING THE VEHICLE FORWARD ALMOST CAUSED A CASE OF WHIPLASH.

NHTSA ID
11403628
Incident
Mar 17, 2021
Mileage
85,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 16, 2020

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
Body & structureBrakesDriver assistance+2 more
Filed Jun 27, 2020

CAR DOORS DO NOT LATCH DOORS FLY OPEN , CAR HAS ROLLED OUT OF PARK, BRAKES DO NOT ENGAGE RUFF STOPPING SEAT BELT LIGHTS ON ALL THE TIME. PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SEATS. *TR

NHTSA ID
11331231
Incident
May 5, 2020
Mileage
18,367 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 28, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. HERRIN-GEAR BMW OF JACKSON (1685 HIGH ST, JACKSON, MS 39202, (601) 354-2269) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND INFORMED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT PROPERLY DIAGNOSED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DECLINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000. *BF *JS

NHTSA ID
11271612
Incident
Oct 28, 2019
Mileage
138,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 25, 2019

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH THE COMFORT ACCESS OPTION. I HAVE CHECKED MY VIN # AND MY 2006 BMW 750LI IS NOT PART OF THIS RECALL, HOWEVER, I HAVE THIS EXACT PROBLEM IN MY CAR AND HAVE HAD THE CAR START TO ROLL ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, AFTER BEING PLACED IN PARK. I MUST NOW USE THE PARKING BRAKE ON A REGULAR BASIS.

NHTSA ID
11182334
Incident
Jan 1, 2015
Mileage
100,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 26, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE FROM THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE SAFELY DRIVEN DUE TO THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BMW OF GWINNETT PLACE (3264 COMMERCE AVE NW, DULUTH, GA 30096, 1-(678) 608-0800) WHO INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO MANUFACTURER RECALL CAMPAIGN TO PROVIDE A REPAIR AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V502000 (POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ID
11153752
Incident
Nov 26, 2018
Mileage
104,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 19, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LI. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND ALERTED THE CONTACT TO "SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN TO A MODERATE SPEED'. THE CONTACT DECREASED THE RATE OF SPEED, PULLED OFF THE ROAD, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR WAS STILL ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,354.

NHTSA ID
11089003
Incident
Apr 12, 2018
Mileage
117,354 mi
Powertrain (other)Seat belts
Filed Sep 27, 2017

HARD SHIFTING CAR TURNS OFF WHEN DRIVING E BRAKE TURNS ON WHEN DRIVING SEAL BELT TENSIONER LIGHT ON

NHTSA ID
11030129
Incident
Sep 27, 2017
Mileage
146,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 16, 2017

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
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed May 13, 2017

TRANSMISSION WAS FORCED TO GO INTO PARK WHEN COMING TO A STOP. ALSO KILLED BATTERY. LOSS OF POWER AND THROTTLE POWER.

NHTSA ID
10985500
Incident
May 12, 2017
Mileage
140,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 14, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED MORE THAN TWICE. THE GEARS WERE SLOW TO CHANGE OVER TO SHIFT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO PICK UP SPEED DURING ACCELERATION, AND A WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED FOR THE TRANSMISSION FAULT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

NHTSA ID
10965967
Incident
Nov 1, 2016
Mileage
107,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 8, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LI. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ENGAGED IN DRIVE AND THEN BACK IN REVERSE. THE "TRANSMISSION FAULT" AND "DRIVE MODERATELY" WARNING MESSAGES ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHO DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

NHTSA ID
10959507
Incident
Mar 2, 2017
Mileage
128,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Mar 7, 2017

THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I PRESS ON THE GAS AND IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BE SLIPPING AND THEN A VIOLENT KICK FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR COMES RIGHT AFTER.

NHTSA ID
10959022
Incident
Dec 15, 2016
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 6, 2017

WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN DRIVE IT KICKS OUT OF GEAR LIKE IN NEUTRAL, THEN WHEN I PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE IT DOES IT AGAIN. THEN I WILL TRUN THE CAR OFF WAIT ABOUT 10 MINS THEN IT WORKS. THIS IS VERY STRESSING THAT A PERSON HAS TO GO THREW THIS WITH THESE CARS ITS SAD..

NHTSA ID
10958737
Incident
Mar 5, 2017
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 19, 2017

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND COMING DOWN THE RAMP WHERE I SLOWED DOWN TO GO AROUND RAMP AND WHEN I GOT TO THE BOTTOM OF RAMP I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL TO PICK UP SPEED AND I HEARD A WHISTLING NOISE AND THAT'S WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN ON ITS ON AS WELL AS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING.

NHTSA ID
10946564
Incident
Jan 16, 2017
Mileage
92,654 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 18, 2017

PRE-OWNED VEHICLE -TRANSMISSION ISSUE WHICH IS NOT MECHANICAL...VEHICLE DID NOT SHIFT TO REVERSE FROM PARK. LOCAL BMW DEALER SAYS NEW TRANSMISSION IS NEEDED. RESEARCH INDICATES IT TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE ELECTRONICS (SOLENOID) WHICH SENDS SHIFT SIGNAL TO THE TRANSMISSION. BMW WILL NOT SAY THIS IS AN INHERENT ISSUE WITH ITS PRODUCT AS EVIDENCED BY THE NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON ANY ROADWAY AT 40-55 MPH, A SERIES OF FAULT CODES ARE DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD [TRANSMISSION FAULT-DRIVE MODERATELY], AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND NOT ENGAGE INTO GEAR. EFFORTS TO PROVE THAT THIS IS NOT OWNER/CONSUMER RESPONSIBILITY DUE TO THE INTERNAL NATURE OF THE FAULT(S) ARE NOT ACCEPTED BY THE BMW DEALER/COMPANY. THE COST OF COMPANY STATED REPAIRS ($3500-$8000) ARE BEYOND WHAT THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE IS AND FINANCIAL ABILITY TO PAY.

NHTSA ID
10946215
Incident
Oct 12, 2016
Mileage
106,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 16, 2016

GOT IN CAR THIS MORNING AND CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE.

NHTSA ID
10926337
Incident
Oct 16, 2016
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 2, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750 LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION DEFAULT WARNING SUDDENLY DISPLAYED BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,420.

NHTSA ID
10923751
Incident
Nov 2, 2016
Mileage
60,420 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LI. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS AND ACCELERATE. THIS WAS A RECURRING ISSUE WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION FAULT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

NHTSA ID
10920610
Incident
Sep 5, 2016
Mileage
114,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 12, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LI. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT A MODERATE SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION FAULT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID
10915640
Incident
Jun 25, 2011
Mileage
160,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 27, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 750LI. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO REVERSE, IT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL POSITION. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE GEAR LOCKED AND PERFORMED THE DESIRED ACTION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V502000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

NHTSA ID
10889023
Incident
Apr 1, 2016
Mileage
151,000 mi

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.

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