MotorDeets

BMW 740LI problems, recalls & best years

The deets on every 740LI from 2011 to 2022: 32 owner complaints and 16 recalls across 10 model years.

The model years with the most owner complaints are 2011 (11), 2013 (7), 2012 (5). Best fuel economy: 22 mpg combined (2015).

BMW 740LI
Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Problem areas across all years

Electrical7
Engine7
Transmission & drivetrain6
Fuel & propulsion4
Other / unknown4
Airbags4
Wheels2
Body & structure1

Year by year

YearRecallsComplaintsBest mpg
201101120
20121520
20131722
20141322
20151122
201611–
201910–
202040–
202150–
202214–

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the BMW 740LI.

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OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

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FAQ

What is the worst year for the BMW 740LI?

The model years with the most owner complaints are 2011 (11), 2013 (7), 2012 (5).

How many recalls has the BMW 740LI had?

Across 2011–2022, NHTSA lists 16 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).