VehicleVerdict

2005 BMW 7 Series problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 7 complaints on file for the 2005 BMW 7 Series — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

7

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other 7 Series years?

7 Series NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted42 complaints1995: 3 complaints1996: 1 complaints1997: 2 complaints1998: 0 complaints1999: 4 complaints2000: 2 complaints2001: 2 complaints2002: 5 complaints2003: 11 complaints2004: 35 complaints2005: 7 complaints2006: 42 complaints2007: 18 complaints2008: 16 complaints2009: 17 complaints2010: 2 complaints2011: 3 complaints2012: 4 complaints
7 Series NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 7 Series years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 BMW 7 Series problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags114%
Brakes114%
Electrical System114%
Engine114%
Fuel System114%
Speed Control114%
Transmission114%

Does the 2005 BMW 7 Series have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V446000BrakesOctober 1, 2010 · 198,352 units

Defect

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Consequence

POWER ASSIST BRAKING PERFORMANCE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN EXTREME CASES THERE COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AN UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“BMW NA SUBMITTED TO NHTSA A NOTICE THAT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THERE MAY BE A POWER BRAKING LOSS DUE TO A LEAKING VACUUM PUMP. BMW NA HAS NOT INSTITUTED A CONSISTENT RECALL POLICY ACROSS ITS DEALERSHIPS RELATED TO THIS RECALL. DEALERSHIPS ARE LEFT TO THEIR DEVICES IN COVERING THE RECALL WORK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 5, 2011 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 7 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO PASS EMISSIONS BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE INTAKE VALVES ON THE AUXILIARY PUMP LEAKED OIL INTO THE MANIFOLD AND CAUSED THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 8, 2012

“I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE CAR WAS SLOW TO CRANK. I HAD THE BATTERY TESTED AND IT WAS FINE. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED I NEEDED A FUEL PUMP. IT WAS REPAIRED. TWO DAYS LATER, I AM DRIVING THE 745LI BMW UP AN INCLINED HIGHWAY MERGING ONTO A BRIDGE WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR STARTED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 6, 2014

“I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE CAR WAS SLOW TO CRANK. I HAD THE BATTERY TESTED AND IT WAS FINE. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED I NEEDED A FUEL PUMP. IT WAS REPAIRED. TWO DAYS LATER, I AM DRIVING THE 745LI BMW UP AN INCLINED HIGHWAY MERGING ONTO A BRIDGE WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR STARTED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 6, 2014

“TOOK THE BMW 745LI IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SLOW TO START CRANKING AND SECOND OPINION. ALSO WANTED THE DEALERSHIP TO REVIEW AIRBAG LIGHT AND DSC. UPON REVIEW BY THE DEALERSHIP, ALL FOUR DOOR TAGS AND SZL (COMFORT ACCESS) IS CAUSING BATTERY DRAIN AND MUST BE REPLACED. ALSO WAS QUOTED THAT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 27, 2014

2005 BMW 7 Series — common questions

Is the 2005 BMW 7 Series reliable?

The record is thin — 7 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 2005 BMW 7 Series have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2005 BMW 7 Series. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 BMW 7 Series under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which BMW 7 Series years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 7 Series years to avoid are 2006, 2004. The cleanest record among 7 Series years belongs to 1998.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.