VehicleVerdict

2012 BMW 750Li problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 40 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.6 times the median 750Li year — the 2012 model ranks #5 of 15 750Li years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 15 reports (38% of the total).

40

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other 750Li years?

750Li NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted300 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 300 complaints2007: 121 complaints2008: 103 complaints2009: 15 complaints2010: 49 complaints2011: 39 complaints2012: 40 complaints2013: 11 complaints2014: 9 complaints2015: 3 complaints2016: 1 complaints2019: 0 complaints2020: 0 complaints2021: 4 complaints
750Li NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 750Li years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 BMW 750Li problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1538%
Transmission615%
Tires & Wheels410%
Electrical System410%
Other38%
Steering25%
Suspension25%
Airbags13%
Speed Control13%
Fuel System13%
Brakes13%

Does the 2012 BMW 750Li have recalls?

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

18V248000EngineApril 18, 2018 · 47,806 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

Consequence

If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE CAR ENGINE WAS CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT. AFTER DRIVING FROM MY HOUSE (ABOUT 3 MILES), THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE MALL. I WENT IN THE SHOPPING MALL FOR 10 MINUTES, AND I WENT OUTSIDE. MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME, AND HE BROKE THE HOOD TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 3, 2015 · fire

“WELL AT THE 60K MILE MARK THE MOTOR WAS BLOWN, COME TOO FIND OUT MANY CARS THIS SAME MODEL AND YEAR ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES... THE SUSPENSION HAS BEEN CHANGED A COUPLE TIMES NOW AND THE FUEL PUMP WENT BAD... THE CAR BURNS OIL BMW SAYS THIS IS NORMAL I FIND THAT VERY HARD TO BELIEVE... THE MOTOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 2, 2018

“I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TWO FRONT TIRES TWICE FOR BUBBLES. THE BUBBLES OCCUR WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN ROADWAY NOT POT HOLES. I HAVE NO DAMAGE TO FRONT RIMS AND MY TIRE SHOP SAID THAT IT IS A DEFECT IN THE TIRE. I ALSO HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR RIM CRACKING. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE TO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 1, 2012

“DROVE CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 8:30 P.M. CAR WAS LEFT IN THE GARAGE FOR THE NIGHT. AT 3:35 A.M. WAS AWAKEN BY MY DOG AND SMELLED SMOKE, STRONGEST IN THE AREA OF THE GARAGE. ONCE EXTINGUISHED BY FIREFIGHTERS THE CAR WAS PULLED OUT. THE LEFT FRONT NUMBER, HEADLIGHT, AND ADJACENT STRUCTURES WERE MELTED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 23, 2012 · fire

“ROUGH IDLE,STALLS AT STOPS, SHAKING. EVERY TIME VEHICLE IS TAKEN INTO BMW OF ONTARIO FOR ONE PROBLEM IT COMES BACK WITH A DIFFERENT ISSUE, I BELIEVE BMW OF ONTARIO IS PURPOSELY DAMAGING ITEMS ON MY VEHICLE THAT ISN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY SO I'LL PAY THEM OUT OF POCKET.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 28, 2019

2012 BMW 750Li — common questions

Is the 2012 BMW 750Li reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 40 complaints put the 2012 model at #5 of 15 750Li years. It is one of the 750Li years to avoid.

What are the most common 2012 750Li problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (15 complaints), transmission (6 complaints), electrical system (4 complaints).

Does the 2012 BMW 750Li have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2012 BMW 750Li. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which BMW 750Li years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 750Li years to avoid are 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2011. The cleanest record among 750Li years belongs to 2020.

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.