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Bmw

2012 Bmw 740LI

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2012 Bmw 740LI has 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is transmission problems (38% of all complaints), specifically: 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. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 1 injury

8

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

TRANSMISSION

3 complaints
38%
  • • 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
  • • TL* 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. T
  • • 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.
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

1 complaints
13%
  • • ENGINE OVER HEAT, LOST POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE CROSSING ACROSS THE ROAD. GOT MESSAGE SAYING THIS CONTACT SERVICE CENTER IMMEDIATELY.
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“ENGINE OVER HEAT, LOST POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE CROSSING ACROSS THE ROAD. GOT MESSAGE SAYING THIS CONTACT SERVICE CENTER IMMEDIATELY.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

1 complaints
13%
  • • 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
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

1 complaints
13%
  • • 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
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SUSPENSION

1 complaints
13%
  • • 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.
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
SUSPENSION(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 8 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    TRANSMISSION: 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

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ENGINE: ENGINE OVER HEAT, LOST POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE CROSSING ACROSS THE ROAD. GOT MESSAGE SAYING THIS CONTACT SERVICE CENTER IMMEDIATELY.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS: 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

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    FUEL SYSTEM: 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

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Bmw 740LI — Year Comparison

How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2022
6Excellent Reliability
2013
7Excellent Reliability
2012
8Excellent Reliability
2011
16Excellent Reliability
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Fire reports
1
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
1
Segment avg
80

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2012 Bmw 740LI

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