BMW 740LI Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints across the 4 model years of the BMW 740LI (2011–2022) that have at least 5 complaints. 2011 has the most, with 11. Across all years, the part named most often is electrical system (7 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All 740LI model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 | 41,000 | 1 | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 7 | 32,000 | 1 | 310 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 5 | 73,000 | 1 | 287 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 11 | 84,000 | 0 | 255 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Electrical system7 21%
- Transmission and drivetrain6 18%
- Engine6 18%
- Other or unknown5 15%
- Fuel system5 15%
- Air bags3 8.8%
- Wheels1 2.9%
- Suspension1 2.9%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2011: “Walking out of the grocery store I noticed my car had moved, hit the curb and damaged my bottom front bumper. I started and turned on my car and then noticed the shifter was on neutral and not parked. Shifter would only shift to any gear except for the parking gear. I drove my car home and tried parking my car in the garage, but had to use the emergency parking so it wouldn't roll again. Shifter won't go back to parking gear ever since that day.”
NHTSA complaint #11296750, filed 2020-01, 41,287 miles2013: “My wife has had surgery and needs a seat cushion. When we use it on the front passenger side the air bag off light goes on. Bmw offers no solution. You may not use a non Bmw authorized cushion on you passenger seat. I asked for an authorized Bmw cushion, they said non exists. We are afraid to drive our car in that condition. This is a real hazard.”
NHTSA complaint #10510942, filed 2013-05, 1,000 miles2012: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #11366525, filed 2020-10Other BMW models
3,165 complaintsBMW 328I
2,576 complaintsBMW X3
2,016 complaintsBMW 325I
1,377 complaintsBMW Z4
1,271 complaintsBMW 3 Series
832 complaintsBMW 528I
830 complaintsBMW 330I
813 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology