The 2012 BMW 750Li has 24 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 5 complaints, typically surfacing around 63,333 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 750Li?
Generally reliable
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
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 2012 BMW 750Li? 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
engine — 5 owner reports
· tends to show around 63,333 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
powertrain — 5 owner reports
· tends to show around 52,249 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
electrical — 4 owner reports
· tends to show around 68,667 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 63,333 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 8.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — 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.
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.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2012 750Li· powertrain
This car experiences multiple drivetrain malfunction codes, looses power at intervals when driving, leaks oil from seals which creates white smoke from both the exhaust pipes and from underneath the hood. It also has a rough idle and every so often, the check engine light comes…
My pirelli run flat ties only lasted less than 8,000 miles. The front tires are bald! The rear tires have approximately 3,000 miles left. Unacceptable. This is not an issue with my car, but only with the tires. I could not find anywhere on this website to complain about the…
I went outside and started my car, locked it and came back inside to grab a few things. Approximately five minutes later someone was banging on my door and ringing the doorbell. When I answered they said they had already call the fire department. My car's engine compartment was…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 BMW 750li. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine and power train warning indicators illuminated as the vehicle began to shake and white smoke came from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that after coming to a complete stop,…
Had a problem with your 2012 BMW 750Li?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles
If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.
Common questions
Is the 2012 BMW 750Li reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 BMW 750Li 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 2012 BMW 750Li?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 BMW 750Li 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 8.2/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. 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 2012 BMW 750Li?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 5 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 63,333 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 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 2012 BMW 750Li a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 24 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 63,333 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 2012 BMW 750Li?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 5 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 63,333 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 63,333 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my BMW 750Li 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 750Li?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 24 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, 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.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 6 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/BMW/750Li.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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