RoadVitals

2008 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.
18
Latest Sep 28, 2020
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.
28%
of 65 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.
1
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 2008 BMW 750LI submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 18 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

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 28, 2020

HEAVY SMOKE FROM EXHAUST WHEN AT IDLE FOR MORE THAT 1 MINUTE. TRANSMISSION SEALS LEAKING

NHTSA ID
11361631
Incident
Jan 1, 2017
Mileage
98,500 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 29, 2019

I HAVE A 2008 BMW 750LI LOST POWER TRANSMISSION FAULT LIGHT CAME ON DRIVE MODERATELY WONT GO INTO OVER DRIVE STAY IN 1ST GEAR WONT GO INTO PASSING GEAR. IS THER BEEN A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM THE CAR HAS 111,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS STAIONARY.

NHTSA ID
11240283
Incident
Jul 28, 2019
Mileage
111,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 2, 2018

I WAS DRIVING AND OUT OF NOWHERE, MY CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN, AND I RECEIVED AN WARNING LIGHT ON MY DASH TELLING ME I WAS HAVING A "TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND DRIVE MODERATELY". I ONLY HAVE 88,900 MILES ON THE CAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING ISSUE ON 750 SERIES MODELS FROM 2005-2008. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS, AS IT'S COSTLY AND VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH.

NHTSA ID
11105101
Incident
Jul 1, 2018
Mileage
88,900 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 4, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 750LI. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE MESSAGE 'DO NOT DRIVE' WAS DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A COMPONENT IN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,569.

NHTSA ID
11099553
Incident
May 11, 2018
Mileage
160,569 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 5, 2017

THE "TRANSMISSION FAULT DRIVE MODERATELY, DRIVE TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALERSHIP" IS THE MESSAGE THAT I GOT WHEN I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY A FEW WEEKS AGO, I HAVE 77,000 MILES AND I HAD JUST HAD A TUNE UP. OF COURSE I TOOK THE CARE TO BMW IMMEDIATELY AND FOUND OUT THAT THE POWER TRAIN WAS BAD? THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $7000, I KNEW THERE WERE SOME ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH SOME OF THE BMW YEARS BUT I DIDN'T THINK 2008 SHOULD'VE HAD ANY PROBLEMS AS FAR AS THE TRANSMISSION GOING OUT AT 77,000?

NHTSA ID
10949666
Incident
Dec 14, 2016
Mileage
77,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 13, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 750LI. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE "TRANSMISSION FAULT DRIVE MODERATELY" MESSAGE APPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ID
10935148
Incident
Dec 13, 2016
Mileage
84,000 mi
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 23, 2016
Fire reported

MY 2008 BMW 750LI IS LEAKING OIL THEY SAY ITS THE PRESSURE SWITCH THEN THEY SAID IT WAS THE BRAKE BUSTER PUMP LEAKING. I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL BMW BUT IT DO NOT COME UP UNDER MY VIIN NUMBER IN THE RECALL LIST OF VIIN. THE VEHICLE IS NOW PARKED SEARCHING FOR TRUE ANSWERS..

NHTSA ID
10897946
Incident
Mar 3, 2016
Mileage
100,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 20, 2016

SYMPTOM WITH ENGINE STALLED AFTER 5 MINUTES OF DRIVING ON BUSY INTERSECTION.. THE TRANSMISSION AUTO TO P AFTER FULL STOP, COULD NOT CHANGE GEAR, BREAKS HARDENED. STEERING TIGHT! BATTERY WORKED BUT NO MESSAGE ON IDRIVE / DASHBOARD. ABOUT 6 TIMES TO RE-START BUT COULDN'T! WAITED 15 MINUTES LOOKED UP ISSUE ON THE WEB BY CELL PHONE. CAR STARTED, COLD START; SYMPTOM WAS CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT POPPED ON; REDUCED DRIVING POWER; CAR VIBRATION; IDRIVE MESSAGE "?TRANSMISSION FAILURE; P, N, R, 3, 5, 6 ; DRIVE MODERATELY TO NEAREST BMW DEALER ! PUT ON HAZARD LIGHT, DROVE HOME 1 MILE AWAY CAR VIBRATION SOUND NOTICEABLE. VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS TO HAVE VEHICLE FAILURE ABRUPTLY WITH NO RESOLUTION OR WARNING?. MY 2008 BMW 750LI WITH 57,000 MILES STARTED NEXT DAY WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED FOR A FEW HOURS THEN OFF. THIS VEHICLE IS GARAGED WELL MAINTAINED NOT TO MENTION CALIFORNIA GOOD WEATHER CONDITIONS. THIS NOW HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN TWO MONTHS. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. I AM AFRAID TO TAKE THIS BMW VEHICLE TOO FAR OF DISTANCE OR ON HIGHWAYS DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE INCIDENTS. MAJOR DEFECT.! VEHICLE BECOMES RESISTANT TO DRIVE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I ALMOST GOT IN A MAJOR COLLISION DUE TO THIS MECHANICAL DEFECT PROBLEM. SHOULD I BE KILLED OR INJURED BY AN UNFORESEEN ACCIDENT DO TO THIS WOULD BE TRAGIC!

NHTSA ID
10897388
Incident
Aug 9, 2016
Mileage
1 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 20, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE TRANSMISSION FAULT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS, HOWEVER THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10886252
Incident
Jul 18, 2016
Mileage
121,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 8, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 750LI. WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED RANDOMLY. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED TO START FREQUENTLY AND THE KEY DISABLED LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V502000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. ....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF

NHTSA ID
10854312
Incident
Feb 4, 2016
Mileage
50,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 27, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 750LI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE TRANSMISSION FAULT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO SWITCH FROM THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V502000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXCHANGE MECHATRONIC FAULT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,445.

NHTSA ID
10721625
Incident
May 23, 2015
Mileage
121,445 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 18, 2015

STARTED TO HEAR A KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE AS I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY PULLING INTO THE AIRPORT, AS SOON AS I ENTERD THE AIRPORT THE ENGING SENT A ROD THRU THE OIL PAN.

NHTSA ID
10717176
Incident
May 14, 2015
Mileage
78,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 24, 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 750 LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60-80 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION DRIVE MODERATELY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER FOR IT TO RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ID
10690303
Incident
Dec 1, 2014
Mileage
82,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 11, 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE AND LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V504000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). HOWEVER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V502000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA ID
10682730
Incident
Feb 6, 2015
Mileage
96,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 21, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND THE TRANSMISSION FAULT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOT A WAY TO CLEAR OUT THE CODE AND THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 77,000.

NHTSA ID
10499529
Incident
Feb 14, 2013
Mileage
77,000 mi
Body & structurePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 10, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 750 LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO THE PARK POSITION. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE REPEATEDLY ILLUMINATING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MECHATRONICS SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE AND SHE HAD TO HOLD THE DOOR CLOSED WHILE DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,371 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,640.

NHTSA ID
10474537
Incident
Jul 16, 2012
Mileage
64,371 mi
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 16, 2012

FAILURE-1: 5:50AM WED. 4/4, 35MPH ON REGULAR ROAD, ~12 MILES AFTER COLD START; SYMPTOM: ENGINE STALLED IN A SUDDEN; BREAK WORKED WELL; TRANSMISSION AUTO TO P AFTER FULL STOP, COULD NOT CHANGE GEAR; BATTERY WORKED WELL, HEAD LIGHTS AND HAZARD LIGHT WORKED FINE; NO MESSAGE ON IDRIVE / DASHBOARD; TRIED 4-5 TIMES TO RE-START BUT COULDN'T; ACTION: PUT ON HAZARD LIGHT; MADE PHONE CALLS; SUCCEEDED TO RE-START AFTER ABOUT 3 MIN.; FAILURE-2: 6:50PM WED. 4/4, 35MPH ON REGULAR ROAD, ~20 MILES AFTER COLD START; SYMPTOM: CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT POPPED ON; REDUCED DRIVING POWER; CAR VIBRATION; IDRIVE MESSAGE "?TRANSMISSION FAILURE; P, N, R, 3, 5, 6 AVAILABLE; DRIVE MODERATELY TO NEAREST BMW DEALER"; PUT ON HAZARD LIGHT, 15MPH DROVE 2 MILES TO HOME; HIGH VIBRATION AT STOP SIGN; CAN RE-START / CHANGE GEAR AT HOME GARAGE; ACTION: RE-STARTED @ 6:30AM THURS. 4/5; CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON; SAME IDRIVE MESSAGE; DROVE TO DEALER, PICKED UP THE CAR IN THE EVENING; DEALER "NO PROBLEM IDENTIFIED", CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT RESET; FAILURE-3: 4:05PM MON. 4/9, 5MPH TURNING CORNER AT CAR PARK, ~30S AFTER COLD START; SYMPTOM: ENGINE STALLED IN A SUDDEN; LOSS BREAK (BRAKE PEDAL HARDEN); HIT CURB AND STOPPED; TRANSMISSION AUTO TO P; COULD NOT CHANGE GEAR; BATTERY WORKED WELL; HAZARD LIGHT WORKED FINE; NO MESSAGE ON IDRIVE / DASH BOARD; TRIED 4-5 TIMES TO RE-START BUT COULDN'T; ACTION: PUT ON HAZARD LIGHT; MADE PHONE CALLS; SUCCEEDED TO RE-START AFTER ~3MIN; DROVE TO DEALER @4:40PM; DEALER CALLED @2:00PM WED. 4/11, "NO PROBLEM OR ERROR CODES IDENTIFIED", PERMISSION FOR LONG TEST DRIVE; DEALER E-MAIL @3:18PM 4/16, "NO PROBLEM IDENTIFIED AFTER 1-WEEK TEST-DRIVE"; URGED DEALER TO CONTACT BMW HQ FOR A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION WITH DEFINITIVE REPORT BEFORE RETURNING THIS CAR BACK TO PUBLIC ROAD; IT HAS BECOME A SEVERE PUBLIC ROAD SAFETY CONCERN NOW! *JS

NHTSA ID
10455454
Incident
Apr 4, 2012
Mileage
39,600 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 6, 2011

WITH 50,400 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, I'VE BEEN INFORMED THAT MY TRANSMISSION FAILED. HARD SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10438734
Incident
Nov 14, 2011

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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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .