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Research · Large Cars · 5 NHTSA variants

2011 BMW 7 SeriesRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 56 owner complaints for the 2011 BMW 7 Series. Most complaints involve power train (17) and engine (17). The EPA rates it 15–20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–20mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Apr 2018
Owner complaints
56
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling: turbo

Free remedy

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

Engine and engine coolingReported Apr 18, 2018NHTSA 18V248000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

56 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2011 – Aug 2024
  1. Power train17
  2. Engine17
  3. Electrical system14
  4. Fuel/propulsion system8
  5. Structure4
  6. Engine and engine cooling3
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)3
  8. Air bags2
  9. Steering2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each 7 Series model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199613
199723
199840
199919
200147
201156
201244
201324
201414
20154
201620
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

17 reports
“The contact owns a 2011 BMW 740LI. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift into park (P) and inadvertently shifted into neutral (N). The contact applied the parking brake while the transmission was shifted to neutral (N) to turn off the vehicle. The Transmission Malfunction message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the TCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 29, 2024Power trainODI 11574769

Engine

17 reports2 fires
“THE N63 ENGINE MADE BY BMW GENERATES TOO MUCH HEAT WHICH HAS CAUSED MINE AS WELL AS COUNTLESS OTHERS TO CONSUME FAR TOO MUCH OIL OVER YEARS OF USAGE. THE ENGINE'S HEAT HAS ALSO CAUSED NEARLY ALL GASKETS AND O-RINGS TO BECOME WARPED AND LEAK OIL AS WELL. CURRENTLY, I PUT IN OVER 1 QUART OF PREMIUM 5W30 OIL EVERY 8-10 DAYS WHICH IS FAR TOO MUCH. THIS ENGINE NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO; I'M HAPPY TO PARTICIPATE IN FIRST-HAND ACCOUNTING OF RESULTS OF THIS FAILED ENGINEERING MARVEL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 21, 2018EngineODI 11112836

Electrical system

14 reports1 crash2 fires
“[XXX] My car called fire I have a BMW seven series 750 LI apparently there was a cooling pump that Bmw put on the car that calls us fires. Bmw did a recall on these cooling pumps, but they did not add all the numbers to the recall, even though my car had, the actual coolant pump that caused fires my question is why was my Vin number that out of the recall if I had the faulty pump on my car, I would like for number to be added to the recall”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 6, 2024Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11606694
All 2011 7 Series problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo · 4.4L 8-cyl turbo · 6.0L 12-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Automatic (S8)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
740i
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
172520$3,850444
740Li
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
172520$3,850444
750i
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
152217$4,550523
750Li
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
142117$4,550523
760Li
Auto (S8), 12 cyl, 6.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
131915$5,150592
  • 740i
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • 740Li
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • 750i
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo
    15 city · 22 hwy · $4,550/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • 750Li
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo
    14 city · 21 hwy · $4,550/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • 760Li
    Auto (S8), 12 cyl, 6.0 L, Turbo
    13 city · 19 hwy · $5,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

5 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 BMW 7 Series as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 57Vehicle 58Vehicle 59
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2011 7 Series questions

How many recalls does the 2011 BMW 7 Series have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2011 BMW 7 Series problems?

Owners filed 56 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (17), engine (17), electrical system (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 BMW 7 Series get?

The EPA rates the 2011 BMW 7 Series at 15–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026