2012 BMW 740LI recalls and problems

The 2012 BMW 740LI has 1 safety recall and 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer.

Recalls
1
Complaints
5
Crashes / fires
0 / 1
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2012 BMW 740LI vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2012 BMW 740LI recalls

Recall 17V-067: Power Train

Reported Feb 2, 2017 · 8,752 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

2012 BMW 740LI problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train3
Engine1
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Suspension1
Firerelated1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 73,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2012 BMW 740LI complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Firerelated · at 185,000 miles · reported Jan 10, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 740LI Sedan. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 mph when the vehicle backfired which resulted in the vehicle exploding. The drive train malfunction warning light was illuminated. There was black smoking coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle and caught fire. The contact was able to jump out of the vehicle and sustained a sprained ankle and mental trauma. The fire marshals extinguished the fire and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a police lot. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact mentioned that…
Power Train · reported Oct 26, 2020
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.
Power Train · at 69,000 miles · reported Mar 20, 2019
The contact owns a 2012 bmw 740li. When the contact attempted to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated and then lunged forward. The failure occurred often. During the failure, the "power train malfunctioning" message appeared on the instrument panel. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 69,000.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) · at 73,000 miles · reported Feb 7, 2019
Drivetrain signal came on light in car started to turn on and off gearshift became real cold started to slow down only allow to go 50 MPH
Engine · reported Nov 3, 2017
Engine over heat, lost power in the middle of the road while crossing across the road. Got message saying this contact service center immediately.

Other BMW 740LI years

Compare all BMW 740LI years · All BMW models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 BMW 740LI have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2012 BMW 740LI: 17V-067 (power train). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 BMW 740LI?

Owners report power train problems most often (3 reports), followed by engine (1). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 73,000 miles.

Are BMW recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized BMW dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.