RoadVitals

2012 BMW 750LI Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
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Latest Nov 24, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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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.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 BMW 750LI, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine1540.5%
  • Powertrain (other)616.2%
  • Electrical410.8%
  • Other / unspecified38.1%
  • Steering25.4%
  • Suspension25.4%
  • Tires & wheels12.7%
  • Brakes12.7%
  • Driver assistance12.7%
  • Fuel system12.7%
  • Airbags12.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE LOW COOLANT MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HAD THE COOLANT RESERVOIR TOPPED OFF. THE CONTACT RESUMED DRIVING AND THE WARNING LIGHT APPEARED AGAIN. UPON CHECKING THE COOLANT RESERVOIR, THE COOLANT WAS AGAIN TOPPED HOWEVER, THE SAME WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH THE DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION WARNING MESSAGE. THE CONTACT THEN DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK COMING FROM THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V248000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE AND A FEW DAYS LATER TOWED TO LONG BEACH BMW (1660 E SPRING ST, LONG BEACH, CA 90806). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS OFFERED A 10% DISCOUNT TOWARD THE COST OF REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

NHTSA ID 11339584 · filed Jul 15, 2020

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN THE ENGINE CUTOFF AND LOCKED UP. OIL LEAK ALL OVER HIGHWAY. ENGINES WAS BLOWN DUE TO FREQUENT OIL LEAKING. WAS PUTTING OIL IN VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY ON A WEEKLY BASIS.

NHTSA ID 11231896 · filed Jul 15, 2019
All 15 reports naming engine

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY CAR HAS BEEN AT THE BMW SHOP FOR FOUR MONTHS. THE PURPOSE OF ME TAKING MY CAR TO THE BMW SHOP WAS BECAUSE MY 2012 750LI BMW HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WHEN I GOT THERE [XXX]. STATED THERE IS A RECALL ON THE ENGINE AND HE SAY IT WILL BE FIX. FOUR MONTHS LATER THE MANAGER [XXX] CALL ME AND TELL ME I HAVE TO PAY $ 9,600 FOR THE PARTS AND THE LABOR WORK. [XXX] STATED MY CAR DID NOT QUALIFY AND I HAD TO PAY 45% .I BELIEVE I WAS RIPPED OFF BECAUSE I BELIEVE THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS ONLY $3,318 AND NOW HE CHARGING ME SO MUCH MONEY. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED ONLY BECAUSE WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN MARCH 2019 HE COULD HAD GAVE ME A PRICE AND NOT FOUR MONTHS LATER. I TOLD HIM WHY WOULD HE FIX THE ENGINE IF I DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR A FREE ONE AND WHY NOT CALL ME AND TELL ME THAT I WILL BE PAYING 45% OUT OF MY POCKET. ON TOP OF THAT HE HAS THE NERVE TO CALL ME ON JULY 2019 AND TELL ME THE CAR HAS A NEW ENGINE BUT ALL THE OLD COMPONENTS WAS TRANSFER TO THE NEW ENGINE THEN HE SAY THAT I NEED TO PAY EXTRA BECAUSE HE DID NOT FIX THE TRANSMISSION. MY COMPLAINT IS WHY FIX THE ENGINE IF THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT JUST TO MAKE MONEY FROM THE CUSTOMER . IF I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT WOULD HAD COST ME $3,318 NOW HE WANTS $9,600 CAN SOME ONE PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. HERE IS MY VIN [XXX] . SENT FROM YAHOO MAIL ON ANDROID INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 11229967 · filed Jul 7, 2019

WELL AT THE 60K MILE MARK THE MOTOR WAS BLOWN, COME TOO FIND OUT MANY CARS THIS SAME MODEL AND YEAR ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES... THE SUSPENSION HAS BEEN CHANGED A COUPLE TIMES NOW AND THE FUEL PUMP WENT BAD... THE CAR BURNS OIL BMW SAYS THIS IS NORMAL I FIND THAT VERY HARD TO BELIEVE... THE MOTOR WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AND ACTUALLY LEAVING THE BMW DEALERSHIP HOW IRONIC

NHTSA ID 11184487 · filed Mar 6, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I went outside and started my car, locked it and came back inside to grab a few things. Approximately five minutes later someone was banging on my door and ringing the doorbell. When I answered they said they had already call the fire department. My car's engine compartment was engulfed in flames and undercarriage covers were also burning. The rear bumper and light assemblies were melting. The doors were stuck windshield exploded and srs systems had activated. Fire department said it was electrical fire. USAA said it is a total loss and the electrical fire was in the engine compartment. My vehicle was parked on the street in front of my house and been driven the evening before and parked in front of my house. I have plenty of pictures.

NHTSA ID 11701221 · filed Nov 24, 2025

AFTER A ROUND TRIP 25 MILES DRIVE AND PLACING THE CAR IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE OFF, THE PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THE ISSUE APPEARS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL, BECAUSE THE CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM WOULD LOCK THE CAR, BUT WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE DRIVER DOOR DOES OPEN FROM THE INSIDE BUT THE PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT. THIS COULD BE CATASTROPHIC IN CASE OF FIRE OR ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID 11311745 · filed Feb 26, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY PIRELLI RUN FLAT TIES ONLY LASTED LESS THAN 8,000 MILES. THE FRONT TIRES ARE BALD! THE REAR TIRES HAVE APPROXIMATELY 3,000 MILES LEFT. UNACCEPTABLE. THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH MY CAR, BUT ONLY WITH THE TIRES. I COULD NOT FIND ANYWHERE ON THIS WEBSITE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE TIRES.

NHTSA ID 11376402 · filed Nov 25, 2020

PURCHASED 2012 BMW 750LI X DRIVE IN SEP 2016 NOT REALIZING OR BEING INFORMED THAT I WAS PURCHASING A RACE CAR. SHORTLY AFTER THE PURCHASE, I NOTICE SOME TIRE WEAR, ROARING NOISE, AND A ROUGH RIDE ON COLD MORNINGS WITH THE RUN FLAT TIRES. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR IS DESIGN TO WEAR OUT A SET OF TIRES ANNUALLY IN ORDER TO GET GREAT PERFORMANCE. AFTER 2 YEARS OF OWNING THE CAR AND DRIVING ABOUT 20K MILES, I JUST HAPPEN TO LOOK UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICE THE TIRE WEAR AS I WAS ABOUT TO TAKE A TRIP. SEE PHOTOS ATTACHED. THE WEAR IS BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE DRIVER'S WALLET REPLACING TIRES ANNUALLY. IF THIS DESIGN WAS FOR RACE CARS AND HIGH SPEEDS, IT SHOULD HAVE STAYED IN GERMANY SINCE THE SPEED LIMIT IN ALABAMA IS 70MPH. THE TARGET DATA FOR THE REAR CAMBER IS -1.52 DEGREES. A NEW SET OF MICHELIN RUN FLAT INSTALLED IS $1557.45. REQUEST BMW RECALL SUCH CARS AND REPAIR REAR CAMBER AT OR NEAR 0.00 DEGREES. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID 11166502 · filed Jan 11, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 750LI. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT'S GIRLFRIEND GRABBED THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHECKERED FLAG BMW (5225 VIRGINIA BEACH BLVD, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23462, (866) 414-7820) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT NEW AIR BAGS AND A NEW STEERING WHEEL WERE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID 11203428 · filed Apr 24, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 750LI. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE MAIN HIGHWAY, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE, BUT THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO MOVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER (BRIAN HARRIS BMW, 12336 AIRLINE HWY, BATON ROUGE, LA 70817, (225) 754-1200) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS FROM THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ID 11090957 · filed Apr 30, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WELL AT THE 60K MILE MARK THE MOTOR WAS BLOWN, COME TOO FIND OUT MANY CARS THIS SAME MODEL AND YEAR ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES... THE SUSPENSION HAS BEEN CHANGED A COUPLE TIMES NOW AND THE FUEL PUMP WENT BAD... THE CAR BURNS OIL BMW SAYS THIS IS NORMAL I FIND THAT VERY HARD TO BELIEVE... THE MOTOR WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AND ACTUALLY LEAVING THE BMW DEALERSHIP HOW IRONIC

NHTSA ID 11184487 · filed Mar 6, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIGOROUSLY SHAKE FROM THE FRONT. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 50 MPH AND THE THERMOSTAT INDICATED 250 DEGREES. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT PARKED FOR EIGHT DAYS AFTER THE FAILURE HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE FUEL INJECTORS BOTH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 10839662 · filed Mar 3, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TWO FRONT TIRES TWICE FOR BUBBLES. THE BUBBLES OCCUR WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN ROADWAY NOT POT HOLES. I HAVE NO DAMAGE TO FRONT RIMS AND MY TIRE SHOP SAID THAT IT IS A DEFECT IN THE TIRE. I ALSO HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR RIM CRACKING. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE TO THE SAME RIM WITH NO DAMAGE TO THE TIRE. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE AND BMW WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IT AS A DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10630961 · filed Sep 5, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The car loses brake at low speeds. This occurs after being in traffic and few stop and go breaks. A google search shows other drivers have experienced the same problem.

NHTSA ID 11463696 · filed May 6, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIGOROUSLY SHAKE FROM THE FRONT. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 50 MPH AND THE THERMOSTAT INDICATED 250 DEGREES. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT PARKED FOR EIGHT DAYS AFTER THE FAILURE HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE FUEL INJECTORS BOTH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 10839662 · filed Mar 3, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS CAR EXPERIENCES MULTIPLE DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION CODES, LOOSES POWER AT INTERVALS WHEN DRIVING, LEAKS OIL FROM SEALS WHICH CREATES WHITE SMOKE FROM BOTH THE EXHAUST PIPES AND FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. IT ALSO HAS A ROUGH IDLE AND EVERY SO OFTEN, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. BMW SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR HAVING THESE ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CARS IN THIS DAY AND AGE. *JS

NHTSA ID 10669259 · filed Dec 31, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 750LI. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT'S GIRLFRIEND GRABBED THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHECKERED FLAG BMW (5225 VIRGINIA BEACH BLVD, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23462, (866) 414-7820) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT NEW AIR BAGS AND A NEW STEERING WHEEL WERE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID 11203428 · filed Apr 24, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .