2012 BMW 740Li problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 5 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2012 BMW 740Li has 5 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 740Li | 11 | 0 |
| 2012 740Li (this page) | 5 | 0 |
| 2013 740Li | 7 | 0 |
| 2014 740Li | 3 | 0 |
| 2015 740Li | 1 | 0 |
Limited NHTSA data — only 5 complaints on file. The score reflects what's reported, but a small sample skews easily.
Only 5 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data.
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.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Engine over heat, lost power in the middle of the road while crossing across the road. Got message saying this contact service center immediately.
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.
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…
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
Common questions
Is the 2012 BMW 740Li reliable?
Limited NHTSA data. Only 5 owner complaints have been filed for the 2012 BMW 740Li, 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 740Li?
Only 5 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2012 BMW 740Li 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 740Li?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2012 BMW 740Li 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 740Li a good used car to buy?
Hard to say from federal data alone — only 5 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 740Li?
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 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 2012 BMW 740Li?
Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 5 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.