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ProblemsByVinFile / 2012-BMW-740INHTSA data synced 4 days ago
BMW
2012 BMW 740i problems
The 2012 BMW 740i has 1 active recall campaign on file and only 6 owner complaints in the NHTSA database. Often that means the recall caught it before the field did.
The 2012 BMW 740i has 6 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Limited NHTSA data — only 6 complaints on file. The score reflects what's reported, but a small sample skews easily. 1 active recall on file.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 740i?
Not enough data for a verdict
Only 6 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident call. The 1 active recall above remain authoritative; read those first.
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.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2012 740i· visibility
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 BMW 740i. The contact stated that when resting his left knee on the driver's side door, he would inadvertently depress the side view mirror buttons. In addition, the driver's seat would move back and forth independently. The vehicle was taken to a…
On or about the above date, I tried to drive my new car in 2 inches of snow,up a moderate grade. Despite the traction control and having brand new tires, the vehicle was unable to move anyway but sideways. The vehicle was unfit for its purpose and use. Complaints to the dealer…
We were traveling I-75 south near gainesville, fl., and the vehicle just shut down. We were in the fast lane and had to struggle to steer it to get it off the hwy. Light came on saying drivetrain malfunction. Dangerous situation. The vehicle had been struck by lightening at…
Low engine oil comes on every few months and I have to add oil at that time. I don't know where the oil is going but level is down to minimum. This has been going on for the past two years, since I purchased the car.
Had a problem with your 2012 BMW 740i?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li vehicles
If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Common questions
Is the 2012 BMW 740i reliable?
Limited NHTSA data. Only 6 owner complaints have been filed for the 2012 BMW 740i, which is not enough for a meaningful reliability score. Active recalls (if any) are listed on this page and remain authoritative — those are verified defects regardless of complaint volume. For a confident reliability read we look for at least 10 owner complaints in the federal database.
Should you avoid the 2012 BMW 740i?
Only 6 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident call. The 1 active recall above remain authoritative; read those first. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2012 BMW 740i without a meaningful complaint sample — doing so off a handful of filings would be guesswork.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 BMW 740i?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2012 BMW 740i to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.
Is the 2012 BMW 740i a good used car to buy?
Hard to say from federal data alone — only 6 owner complaints have been filed. Lean on the recall list above, a pre-purchase inspection, and a vehicle-history report on the specific VIN. Our data tells you what the model is known for; a history report tells you what that exact car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 BMW 740i?
No problem area has crossed our reporting threshold yet, which is a good sign for this vehicle.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
Major repair items haven't been flagged often enough on this vehicle to single one out.
How do I check if my BMW 740i 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 2012 BMW 740i?
Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 6 complaints on file. A quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. The decision comes down to your specific situation: vehicle cost, miles on it, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you can absorb a $3K–$8K repair without straining cashflow. With limited public data on this vehicle, lean on the recall list above and check owner forums before committing.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/BMW/740i.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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