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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2011–2022

BMW 740Li recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns and 32 owner complaints for the BMW 740Li, covering model years 2011 to 2022. The 2011 model year drew the most complaints (11), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your BMW 740Li VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 9 recall campaigns on file
  • 32 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 10 model years with data (2011–2022)
  • most complaints: 2011 (11 for that model year)
  • top component: Electrical System (7 complaints)
  • latest recall 25V644000 (reported Sep 25, 2025)
  • 2 complaints reporting a crash (6.3%)
  • 2 complaints reporting a fire (6.3%)
  • 2 complaints reporting an injury (6.3%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

BMW 740Li complaints by model year

7 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2011 model year has the most complaints: 11 of 32, or 34.4%. Next come 2013 (7) and 2012 (5). The fewest are for 2016, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
BMW 740Li owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2011–2022Column chart of 32 complaints across 12 model years. The highest is 2011 with 11. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2011: 11 complaints1120112012: 5 complaints520122013: 7 complaints720132014: 3 complaints320142015: 1 complaint120152016: 1 complaint120162017: 0 complaints20172018: 0 complaints20182019: 0 complaints20192020: 0 complaints20202021: 0 complaints20212022: 4 complaints42022
BMW 740Li complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
BMW 740Li complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2011111100
201250110
201370000
201431010
201510000
201610000
202240000
All model years322220

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported BMW 740Li components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 7 complaints (21.9% of all 32), followed by Engine (7) and Power Train (6).

Components named most often in BMW 740Li complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in BMW 740Li complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Electrical System721.9%
Engine721.9%
Power Train618.8%
Air Bags412.5%
Fuel/Propulsion System412.5%
Unknown or Other412.5%
Wheels26.3%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)13.1%
Firerelated13.1%
Fuel System, Gasoline13.1%
Lane Departure13.1%
Latches/Locks/Linkages13.1%
Seat Belts13.1%
Structure13.1%
Suspension13.1%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

BMW 740Li recalls

9 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name 740Li, newest first. The 9 campaigns cover model years 2012 to 2022. The 2021 model year appears in the most campaigns (5).

  • 9 recall campaigns
BMW 740Li recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2012: 1 campaign2013: 1 campaign2014: 1 campaign2015: 1 campaign2016: 1 campaign2017: no campaigns2018: no campaigns2019: 1 campaign
2020: 4 campaigns2021: 5 campaigns2022: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 25V644000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Starter Assembly

    Model years 2020–2022

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 340I, X6, 2020-2025 840I, 2020-2022 740LI, 2019-2020 X7, and X5 vehicles. After repeated attempts, the starter motor may overheat from an electrical overload.

    Consequence:
    An overheated starter motor can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. This recall includes vehicles repaired under recall 24V576 and those owners will need to have their vehicle repaired again. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 17, 2025.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 21V062000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Hydraulic; Service Brakes, Hydraulic

    Model years 2020–2021

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xdrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, and 2019-2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, and 2021 M3, M3 Competition, M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, X5 xDrive45e, 745 Le xDrive. The rotor and shaft within the integrated brake system may not have been welded properly and could separate during a hard braking event, possibly resulting in a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and braking assistance.

    Consequence:
    A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 21V046000

    Reported

    Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft

    Model year 2021

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530i xDrive, 540i xDrive and 2021 740Li xDrive vehicles. The output shafts (left/right) which transfer power from the driveshaft to the rear wheels may break due to a heat treatment error during supplier production.

    Consequence:
    A broken output shaft can lead to a loss of drive power or a rollaway condition in a parked vehicle (if the parking brake is not engaged), increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the output shaft(s), free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 20V761000

    Reported

    Electrical System › 12V/24V/48V Battery

    Model year 2021

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 M340i xDrive, M440i xDrive Coupe, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator may not have been assembled properly, which can cause increased electrical resistance at the connections.

    Consequence:
    Increased electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator assembly, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 20V379000

    Reported

    Child Seat › Tether › Connector/Clip

    Model years 2020–2021

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 740Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive, M760Li xDrive, and Alpina B7 vehicles. The top child seat tether anchor on the rear middle seat may not be readily accessible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, Section 6.1(b) "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."

    Consequence:
    A child restraint system placed on the vehicle's rear middle seat without utilizing the three-point safety belt, could increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
    Remedy:
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a top tether anchor cover at the rear middle seating position. Until vehicles are remedied, owners will be instructed to utilize the outboard rear seating positions which are equipped with an accessible top tether anchor, or, the middle rear seating position and the vehicle's three-point safety belt. The recall began August 20, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  6. NHTSA campaign 19V684000

    Reported

    Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera

    Model years 2019–2020

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

    Consequence:
    The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  7. NHTSA campaign 17V379000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting

    Model years 2013–2015

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2015 740i, 740Li, 740Lxi, 750i, 750xi, 750Li and 750Lxi and 2014 ActiveHybrid 7 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have received incorrect replacement left rear taillight assemblies. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Consequence:
    Vehicles with the incorrect left rear lamp assemblies may be less conspicuous to other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect left rear taillight assemblies, free of charge. The recall began August 11, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  8. NHTSA campaign 17V067000

    Reported

    Power Train › Driveline › Constant Velocity Joint

    Model year 2012

    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. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.

    Consequence:
    If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    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.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  9. NHTSA campaign 16V173000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-Inactive

    Model year 2016

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 740Li, 750Li, and 750Lxi vehicles manufactured July 1, 2015, to December 11, 2015. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may randomly reset due to an electrical short circuit as a result of residual metallic particles from the manufacturing process.

    Consequence:
    In the event of a crash while the air bag module is resetting, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
    Remedy:
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began on July 11, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

BMW 740Li questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the BMW 740Li have?

NHTSA lists 9 vehicle recall campaigns for the BMW 740Li, covering model years 2011 to 2022. The most recent, 25V644000, was reported on September 25, 2025 and is filed under “Electrical system”. The 2021 model year is covered by the most campaigns (5).

Which BMW 740Li model year has the most complaints?

The 2011 model year, with 11 of the 32 complaints in NHTSA’s file (34.4%). The next are 2013 (7) and 2012 (5). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common BMW 740Li complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 7 complaints, or 21.9% of all 32. Engine (7) and Power Train (6) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my BMW 740Li?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a BMW dealer.

How many BMW 740Li complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 32 complaints, 2 report a crash, 2 a fire, 2 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other BMW models

8 models · most complaints first

The BMW models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the BMW VIN decoder with every BMW model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • BMW X5 1999–2026 · 103 recalls · 3,138 complaints
  • BMW 328i 1996–2016 · 27 recalls · 2,576 complaints
  • BMW X3 2004–2026 · 60 recalls · 1,989 complaints
  • BMW 325i 1995–2012 · 20 recalls · 1,281 complaints
  • BMW Z4 2002–2023 · 28 recalls · 1,280 complaints
  • BMW 3 Series 1995–2023 · 8 recalls · 841 complaints
  • BMW 528i 1997–2016 · 14 recalls · 831 complaints
  • BMW 330i 1999–2026 · 38 recalls · 813 complaints

All BMW models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.