Problems · NHTSA complaints
2011 BMW 7 Series problems
Owners filed 56 complaints about the 2011 BMW 7 Series with NHTSA between Oct 2011 and Aug 2024. The most-cited component is power train (17).
Complaints
56
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train17
- Engine17
- Electrical system14
- Fuel/propulsion system8
- Structure4
- Engine and engine cooling3
- Electronic stability control (esc)3
- Air bags2
- Steering2
- Suspension2
- Tires1
- Seat belts1
- Other / unknown6
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
2
2
1
4
6
11
11
4
6
2
2
1
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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.”
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.”
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”
Fuel/propulsion system
8 reports
“Electric water pump failed. While driving, engine overheated and warning light illuminated. I immediately pulled over and my car was towed in for repairs. Why wasn't the N54 engine not included in the recall campaign#11V-521? Also, my fuel line was found to be leaking when this car was towed in for the electric water pump repairs. I did smell fuel on days prior to this incident, but I mistakenly ignored the smells. This whole incident had the potential to be catastrophic.”
Structure
4 reports
“Vehicle is equipped with soft closing doors. Passenger door actuator malfunctioned which prevented the passenger door from locking. That malfunction short circuited the entire vehicle locking system. It created a unsafe driving condition which locked the driver side door from the inside and outside of the vehicle. Basically locking the driver inside the car. The only way for the driver to exit the vehicle was to climb to another door. If the driver was in a accident and needed to exit the car immediately, he wouldn't be able to do it.”
Engine and engine cooling
3 reports2 fires1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2011 BMW 750LI. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked next to the house with the engine turned off for approximately one hour before suddenly smoke was present coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact opened the hood and discovered flames coming from the ECM wire harness. The contact used a bucket of water to extinguish the flames. The cause of the fire was not determined. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer but no diagnostic service or repairs were performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V521000(Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 160,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.