BMW 750I · model year

2012 BMW 750I

12 NHTSA complaints, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012BMW750I carries 12 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 750I is engine with 6 filings, followed by power train (2) and service brakes (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2012 750I. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

12
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

12 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: Not Rated/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE6
POWER TRAIN2
SERVICE BRAKES1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1

Recalls (1)

18V24800018/04/2018

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

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, Coo

Recent Complaints

20230302ENGINE

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 750I. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was idling rough. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was making an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as a timing chain failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000.

Mileage: 82,000

20220530POWER TRAIN

Transmission secure vehicle with parking break when stationary. The vehicle jumps from park to neural by its self randomly and pops up with the transmission warning. Heard it's a common problem should be recalled

20211015POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 750I. The contact stated that while stopped in traffic, a wildfire began to approach his vehicle. The contact then stated that white smoke obstructed his vision on the highway. As the contact depressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle stalled with the transmission disengaged message on the instrument panel. The contact restarted the vehicle three times before the transmission re-engaged and the contact was able to escape the thick smoke that had covered his vehicle. The contact called the dealer and spoke to a service advisor who stated that the heat from the fire caused the vehicle to stall. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred him back to the dealer for an inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

Mileage: 56,000

20200726ENGINE

VEHICLE CONSUMES LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL. MOST OIL BURNS AND RELEASES FROM THE EXHAUST WHEN DRIVING.. ENGINE REQUIRES A REPLACEMENT FROM BMW.

Mileage: 116,000

20190604ENGINE

THERE IS WHITE SMOKE THAT IS COMING OUT OF THE BACK PIPES OF THE CAR. THE CAR IS BURNING THROUGH OIL. I AM PUTTING A QUART IN EVERY 2 -3 WEEKS. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT IT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE 2009 MODEL. THE 2009 750I HAS BEEN RECALLED TO FIX THE ENGINE PROBLEM AND I HAVE A 2012 MODEL. THE SMOKE COMES OUT WHEN I AM DRIVING NOT WHEN IT IS STATIONARY ON THE CITY STREET, HIGHWAY OR WHEREVER. I DON'T FEEL SAFE. I AM GOING TO START DRIVING MORE DISTANCE AND I DON'T WANT TO RUN OUT OF OIL AND CAUSE MORE DAMAGE TO MY CAR. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE OIL CONSUMPTION. THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES SURROUNDING THE CAR. I AM NOT A MECHANIC. BUT, I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THIS CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WHEN I BOUGHT IT.

20190604POWER TRAIN

THERE IS WHITE SMOKE THAT IS COMING OUT OF THE BACK PIPES OF THE CAR. THE CAR IS BURNING THROUGH OIL. I AM PUTTING A QUART IN EVERY 2 -3 WEEKS. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT IT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE 2009 MODEL. THE 2009 750I HAS BEEN RECALLED TO FIX THE ENGINE PROBLEM AND I HAVE A 2012 MODEL. THE SMOKE COMES OUT WHEN I AM DRIVING NOT WHEN IT IS STATIONARY ON THE CITY STREET, HIGHWAY OR WHEREVER. I DON'T FEEL SAFE. I AM GOING TO START DRIVING MORE DISTANCE AND I DON'T WANT TO RUN OUT OF OIL AND CAUSE MORE DAMAGE TO MY CAR. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE OIL CONSUMPTION. THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES SURROUNDING THE CAR. I AM NOT A MECHANIC. BUT, I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THIS CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WHEN I BOUGHT IT.

20181003ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 750I. AFTER CHARGING THE VEHICLE, THE "ENGINE COMPARTMENT HOT" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,850.

Mileage: 24,850

20180823ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 750I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V248000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BMW OF ONTARIO (1350 AUTO CENTER DR, ONTARIO, CA 91761, (909) 906-4000) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20180302FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

ON JANUARY 10TH 2018, MY BMW (2012, 750I), SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED IN OUR GARAGE, UNDER MY SON'S BEDROOMS, AFTER NOT BEING ON FOR 14.5 HOURS. *BF *TR

Mileage: 12,000

20170207SERVICE BRAKES

DEALER REPORTED THAT MOISTURE ENTERED A WATERPROOF ENCLOSURE THAT HOUSES THE BRAKE MODULATOR. WATER ENTERED THRU A DRAIN HOLE FROM THE COWL AND BYPASSED A PLATE MEANT TO KEEP WATER OUT. ONCE EFFECTED BY MOISTURE THE MODULATOR SHUT DOWN ALL FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR INCLUDING THE ENGINE WHILE MOVING. BMW BLAMED IT ON PARTIAL SUBMERSION OF THE MODULATOR BUT CAR WAS NEVER EFFECTED BY WATER/SUBMERSION AND THE DEALER AGREED THAT THEIR WAS NO EVIDENCE OF THAT AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING TO SUPPORT THAT CONDITION. UPON REPAIR DEALER WENT TO GREAT LENGTHS TO TRY AND SEAL COMPARTMENT AND INSTALL DIVERTER THAT WAS REPLACED IN THE REPAIR TO PREVENT REOCCURRENCE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN MANUFACTURE ON A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF CARS MADE BY BMW FOR THIS SPECIFIC MODEL. OWNERS NEED TO KNOW THAT THE CONDITIONS EXPERIENCED HAVE A MUCH DIFFERENT EFFECT ON SAFETY DUE TO THE HYBRID DESIGN THAN A STANDARD NON HYBRID CAR.

Mileage: 21,083

20170207ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DEALER REPORTED THAT MOISTURE ENTERED A WATERPROOF ENCLOSURE THAT HOUSES THE BRAKE MODULATOR. WATER ENTERED THRU A DRAIN HOLE FROM THE COWL AND BYPASSED A PLATE MEANT TO KEEP WATER OUT. ONCE EFFECTED BY MOISTURE THE MODULATOR SHUT DOWN ALL FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR INCLUDING THE ENGINE WHILE MOVING. BMW BLAMED IT ON PARTIAL SUBMERSION OF THE MODULATOR BUT CAR WAS NEVER EFFECTED BY WATER/SUBMERSION AND THE DEALER AGREED THAT THEIR WAS NO EVIDENCE OF THAT AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING TO SUPPORT THAT CONDITION. UPON REPAIR DEALER WENT TO GREAT LENGTHS TO TRY AND SEAL COMPARTMENT AND INSTALL DIVERTER THAT WAS REPLACED IN THE REPAIR TO PREVENT REOCCURRENCE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN MANUFACTURE ON A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF CARS MADE BY BMW FOR THIS SPECIFIC MODEL. OWNERS NEED TO KNOW THAT THE CONDITIONS EXPERIENCED HAVE A MUCH DIFFERENT EFFECT ON SAFETY DUE TO THE HYBRID DESIGN THAN A STANDARD NON HYBRID CAR.

Mileage: 21,083

20170207ENGINE

DEALER REPORTED THAT MOISTURE ENTERED A WATERPROOF ENCLOSURE THAT HOUSES THE BRAKE MODULATOR. WATER ENTERED THRU A DRAIN HOLE FROM THE COWL AND BYPASSED A PLATE MEANT TO KEEP WATER OUT. ONCE EFFECTED BY MOISTURE THE MODULATOR SHUT DOWN ALL FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR INCLUDING THE ENGINE WHILE MOVING. BMW BLAMED IT ON PARTIAL SUBMERSION OF THE MODULATOR BUT CAR WAS NEVER EFFECTED BY WATER/SUBMERSION AND THE DEALER AGREED THAT THEIR WAS NO EVIDENCE OF THAT AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING TO SUPPORT THAT CONDITION. UPON REPAIR DEALER WENT TO GREAT LENGTHS TO TRY AND SEAL COMPARTMENT AND INSTALL DIVERTER THAT WAS REPLACED IN THE REPAIR TO PREVENT REOCCURRENCE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN MANUFACTURE ON A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF CARS MADE BY BMW FOR THIS SPECIFIC MODEL. OWNERS NEED TO KNOW THAT THE CONDITIONS EXPERIENCED HAVE A MUCH DIFFERENT EFFECT ON SAFETY DUE TO THE HYBRID DESIGN THAN A STANDARD NON HYBRID CAR.

Mileage: 21,083

Compare 2012BMW750I to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 BMW 750I have?
The 2012 BMW 750I has 12 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2012 BMW 750I?
The 2012 BMW 750I received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 BMW 750I?
Yes, the 2012 BMW 750I has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 BMW 750I?
The most-complained component for the 2012 BMW 750I is ENGINE with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and SERVICE BRAKES.
Is the 2012 BMW 750I safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2012 BMW 750I has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.