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Research · Large Cars · 4 NHTSA variants

2012 BMW 7 SeriesRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 44 owner complaints for the 2012 BMW 7 Series. Most complaints involve engine (23) and power train (12). 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
2campaigns
Latest Apr 2018
Owner complaints
44
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · 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

Power train: constant velocity joint

Free remedy

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.

Power trainReported Feb 2, 2017NHTSA 17V067000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

44 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2012 – Nov 2025
  1. Engine23
  2. Power train12
  3. Electrical system6
  4. Wheels4
  5. Suspension3
  6. Service brakes2
  7. Steering2
  8. Seat belts2
  9. Fuel/propulsion system2

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
0
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
1
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

Engine

23 reports2 fires
“The contact owns a 2012 BMW 750I. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was idling rough. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was making an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as a timing chain failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 2, 2023EngineODI 11509904

Power train

12 reports
“Transmission secure vehicle with parking break when stationary. The vehicle jumps from park to neural by its self randomly and pops up with the transmission warning. Heard it's a common problem should be recalled”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 30, 2022Power trainODI 11466653

Electrical system

6 reports2 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 24, 2025Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11701221
All 2012 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
142217$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 · 22 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

4 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 BMW 7 Series as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 6040Vehicle 6041Vehicle 6042
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

2012 7 Series questions

How many recalls does the 2012 BMW 7 Series have?

2 safety recalls 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 2012 BMW 7 Series problems?

Owners filed 44 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (23), power train (12), electrical system (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 BMW 7 Series get?

The EPA rates the 2012 BMW 7 Series at 15–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026