Problems · NHTSA complaints
2012 BMW 7 Series problems
Owners filed 44 complaints about the 2012 BMW 7 Series with NHTSA between Apr 2012 and Nov 2025. The most-cited component is engine (23).
Complaints
44
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine23
- Power train12
- Electrical system6
- Wheels4
- Suspension3
- Service brakes2
- Steering2
- Seat belts2
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Firerelated1
- Air bags1
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Vehicle speed control1
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
2
2
3
3
5
2
4
11
6
1
3
1
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 |
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
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.”
Power train
12 reports1 related recall
“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”
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.”
Wheels
4 reports
“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.”
Suspension
3 reports
“WHILE DRIVING AT THE SPEED OF 55 MPH, A WARNING SOUNDS (DINGS) AS MY CAR READS DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION AND IT REDUCES SPEED. IT ALSO SAYS (READS) DRIVING COMFORT RESTRICTED AND IT STOPS AUTOMATICALLY AS I'M DRIVING.”
Service brakes
2 reports
“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.”
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.