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ProblemsByVin Index / 2012-BMW-740LI / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2012 BMW 740Li owner complaints

5 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 1 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Listed by category, newest first within each section.

powertrain 2 complaints shown

03/20/2019 69,000 mi ODI #11190258.0

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. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 69,000.

02/07/2019 73,000 mi ODI #11175098.0

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

engine 1 complaint shown

11/03/2017 ODI #11042984.0

Engine over heat, lost power in the middle of the road while crossing across the road. Got message saying this contact service center immediately.

suspension 1 complaint shown

10/26/2020 ODI #11366525.0

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.

other 1 complaint shown

01/10/2022 185,000 mi Fire ODI #11446913.0

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 740LI Sedan. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 mph when the vehicle backfired which resulted in the vehicle exploding. The drive train malfunction warning light was illuminated. There was black smoking coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle and caught fire. The contact was able to jump out of the vehicle and sustained a sprained ankle and mental trauma. The fire marshals extinguished the fire and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a police lot. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact mentioned that the vehicle went through extensive damage that it was unrecognizable. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-07-26. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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