2011 BMW 740Li problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 11 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2011 BMW 740Li has 11 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 4 complaints, typically surfacing around 71,894 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 740Li (this page) | 11 | 0 |
| 2012 740Li | 5 | 0 |
| 2013 740Li | 7 | 0 |
| 2014 740Li | 3 | 0 |
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2011 BMW 740Li? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- electrical — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 71,894 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 71,894 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is electrical (~$850) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2011 BMW 740Li
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 1 category with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The gear shifter blinks in neutral when the car is in park. A notification on the display says "secure vehicle with parking break when stationary.
Purchased the car in january 2012 from BMW concord as a leased vehicle. Mileage was 12,000 when purchased. In april 2017, transmission failure notice came on and car would not shift into reverse. We took the car to the BMW dealership in concord. Service center said transmission…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 BMW 740li. While the vehicle was stationary, the water pump failed. The contact stated that the wire of the auxiliary that connected to the water pump melted. The contact purchased a new auxiliary wire for the water pump, but complained of a burning…
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 740LI. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift into park (P) and inadvertently shifted into neutral (N). The contact applied the parking brake while the transmission was shifted to neutral (N) to turn off the vehicle. The Transmission…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2011 BMW 740Li reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.8 out of 10 based on 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 BMW 740Li is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2011 BMW 740Li?
On the NHTSA data, the 2011 BMW 740Li does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2011 BMW 740Li?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 4 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 71,894 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2011 BMW 740Li a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 11 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 71,894 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2011 BMW 740Li?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 4 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 71,894 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 71,894 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my BMW 740Li has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 BMW 740Li?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 11 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.