Research · Large Cars · 4 NHTSA variants

2013 BMW 7 SeriesRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 24 owner complaints for the 2013 BMW 7 Series. Most complaints involve engine (6) and power train (5). The EPA rates it 15–22 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
15–22mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jun 2017
Owner complaints
24
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2015 740i, 740Li, 740Lxi, 750i, 750xi, 750Li and 750Lxi and 2014 ActiveHybrid 7 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have received incorrect replacement left rear taillight assemblies. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Exterior lightingReported Jun 14, 2017NHTSA 17V379000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

24 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2012 – Mar 2025
  1. Engine6
  2. Power train5
  3. Fuel/propulsion system4
  4. Air bags3
  5. Electrical system2
  6. Latches/locks/linkages2
  7. Fuel system, gasoline2
  8. Wheels2
  9. Tires1

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
1
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

6 reports1 fire
“II WAS ON FLORIDA TURNPIKE LATE NIGHT AROUND 10.30PM WITH MY WIFE GOING SOUTH AND ALL OF SUDDEN WE HEAR LOUD NOISE FROM OUR CAR AND THE CAR STARTED TO SHUT OFF BY ITSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY . I WAS GOING ON 70 MILES PER HOUR AND WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THERE WAS ONLY FEW CARS ON THE ROAD I WAS ABLE TO STEER IT TO THE SHOULDER . AFTER COMING OUT OF THE CAR I SEE LOT OF SMOKE AND LOTS OF OIL COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE . AND I SAW THERE WAS A TRAIL OF OIL BEHIND THE CAR. WE WERE STUCK ON TPK FOR 4 HOUR IN COLD BEFORE ANY HELP COULD ARRIVE . FHP TROOPER STOP BY AND SAID THAT WE HAD A BROKEN ENGINE. WE HAD TO TOW OUR 145 MILES TO OUR HOUSE . I AM SO EMBRASSED TO GOT A BMW THAT HAS SUCH PROBLEM”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 27, 2021EngineODI 11390376

Power train

5 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 750I. WHILE DRIVING AT A NORMAL RATE OF SPEED, THE DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE. AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, IT MISFIRED. UPON STARTING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OPERATE AT FULL CAPACITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND EMITTED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THIS WAS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE AND TO CONTACT BMW FOR MORE ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 4, 2019Power trainODI 11266087

Fuel/propulsion system

4 reports1 fire
“My car keeps shutting off completely in the middle of driving on highway or any road it’s becoming a safety risk this car once had an open recall for the same issue but I didn’t receive memo but according to bmw handbook emissions recall don’t expire for NJ registered vehicles but BMW won’t honor it”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 23, 2024Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11584696
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 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 (S8)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · All-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 9, 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 (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
192822$3,500402
740Li
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
192822$3,500402
740Li xDrive
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
192822$3,500403
750i
Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
172419$4,050459
750Li
Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
162419$4,050480
760Li
Auto (S8), 12 cyl, 6.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
132015$5,150584
  • 740i
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    19 city · 28 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • 740Li
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    19 city · 28 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • 740Li xDrive
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    19 city · 28 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • 750i
    Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo
    17 city · 24 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • 750Li
    Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo
    16 city · 24 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • 760Li
    Auto (S8), 12 cyl, 6.0 L, Turbo
    13 city · 20 hwy · $5,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 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 2013 BMW 7 Series as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 7385Vehicle 7386Vehicle 7387
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

2013 7 Series questions

How many recalls does the 2013 BMW 7 Series have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 9, 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 2013 BMW 7 Series problems?

Owners filed 24 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (6), power train (5), fuel/propulsion system (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 BMW 7 Series get?

The EPA rates the 2013 BMW 7 Series at 15–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026