Research · Large Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2016 BMW 7 SeriesRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 20 owner complaints for the 2016 BMW 7 Series. Most complaints involve seat belts (4) and electrical system (4). The EPA rates it 19–24 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19–24mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
20
Top: seat belts
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2016 BMW 7 Series as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

20 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2016 – Aug 2025
  1. Seat belts4
  2. Electrical system4
  3. Engine4
  4. Vehicle speed control2
  5. Lane departure1
  6. Suspension1
  7. Wheels1
  8. Exterior lighting1
  9. Structure1

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
0
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

Seat belts

4 reports
“The contact owns a 2016 BMW 750i. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Active Protection Restricted" was displayed. Additionally, a message advising to drive the vehicle slowly and carefully was displayed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the passenger's side front seat belt was faulty. The dealer recommended the seat belt replacement. The dealer informed the contact that the repair was not covered under a recall or warranty coverage, and the dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 6, 2024Seat beltsODI 11606726

Electrical system

4 reports
“Blind spot warning randomly works. Passenger seatbelt phantom seatbelt warning while driving alone!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 28, 2024Electrical system, Seat belts, Lane departureODI 11597560

Engine

4 reports
“There are two grill shutter actuators. One for the upper and one for the lower. Different part numbers. NHTSA issued a TSB for N63R in 2019: MC-10160279-9999 (G12 (N63R)/G30 (B58M) RADIATOR GRILL UPPER AND LOWER ACTIVE AIR FLAPS: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES). My vehicle is a N62R and there are hundreds perhaps thousands of reports of the IDENTICAL part numbers from BROSE Manufacturing (USA / Germany) failing. For example, my upper failed in APR 2023 after a repair I paid for in SEP 2022 with a P/N manufactured in 2021. Then, the lower actuator failed which has a manufacture date of 2017 (so it is the OEM part). Though the upper actuator is coded to remain open on fault, the lower is for some reason coded to remain closed on fault. If the fault codes are incorrectly interpreted by the [XXX] when the vehicle is in operation, then the engine could quickly overheat and lead to major issues for the occupants, but likely result in thousands of dollars of engine repairs. I urge you to reconsider the TSB and issue a recall/warranty extension for all BMW G11/12/30 and similar (in fact, this part is used on all series with upper and lower…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 24, 2023EngineODI 11533976
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo · 4.4L 8-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 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 (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
212924$3,200374
750i
Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
172520$3,850438
750i xDrive
Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
162419$4,050460
  • 740i
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • 750i
    Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • 750i xDrive
    Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 4.4 L, Turbo
    16 city · 24 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
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

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 BMW 7 Series as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026
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

2016 7 Series questions

How many recalls does the 2016 BMW 7 Series have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.

What are the most common 2016 BMW 7 Series problems?

Owners filed 20 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are seat belts (4), electrical system (4), engine (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 BMW 7 Series get?

The EPA rates the 2016 BMW 7 Series at 19–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026