Owners have filed 18 complaints
about the 2007 BMW 7 Series with NHTSA between 2012 and 2018.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 5 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 37
Against the median year of the BMW 7 Series. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 20
12% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2007 BMW 7 Series
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
422.2%
Median failure at 110,300 miles
Electrical System
316.7%
Median failure at 110,000 miles
Seats
211.1%
Median failure at 125,500 miles
Body & Structure
211.1%
Median failure at 99,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
15.6%
Median failure at 120,000 miles
Doors, Latches & Locks
15.6%
Stability & Traction Control
15.6%
Median failure at 113,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
15.6%
Median failure at 65,000 miles
Suspension
15.6%
Median failure at 113,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
15.6%
Median failure at 26,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
15.6%
Median failure at 92,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
211.8%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
15.9%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
211.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
1270.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 2012peak 5Oct 2018
NHTSA investigations into the 2007 BMW 7 Series
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA12002Opened 10 Apr 2012Closed 24 Jan 2013ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle Rollaway
In a letter dated October 16, 2012, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-502 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving the possibility of unattended vehicle rollaway in MY 2005 through 2008 BMW 7-Series (approximately 45,000) vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access Option.The Comfort Access option allows the driver to start and stop the engine (by pressing the engine start / stop button) without inserting the key fob into the vehicles key slot in the instrument panel.Subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option...
PE11025Opened 5 Aug 2011Closed 23 Apr 2012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle Rollaway
In response to the Office of Defects Investigation's (ODI) Information Request (IR) for PE11-025, BMW provided ODI with 1 complaint and 46 field reports relating to either incidents of unattended vehicle rollaway or vehicle movement after the driver expected the vehicle gearshift to automatically shift to park. ODI's analysis of the data provided by BMW identified 14 crashes and 5 alleged injuries. ODI has also identified 3 additional reports in its database alleging vehicle rollaway incidents of which 2 resulted in crashes.The subject vehicles are all equipped with push-buttons (Start/Stop bu...
Recalls on the 2007 BMW 7 Series
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20172682,081 units in Canada
Structure
On certain vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access or Comfort Access in combination with the Soft Close Automatic door latching system options, the doors may not latch correctly. As a result, doors which appear to be latched could unlatch while driving. This could increase the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant seated next to the door, or result in damage to property. Correction: Dealers will remove the cams from the door locks and reprogram the Comfort Access System as necessary.
Recall 201323815,294 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat can fatigue over time. As a result, the passenger airbag could deactivate, illuminating the airbag warning lamp and the passenger airbag ON/OFF lamp. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Vehicles will receive special extended warranty coverage of 10 years from first registration. Under this special coverage program, vehicles which experience this condition will have the occupant detection mat replaced.
Recall 2012352416 units in Canada
Other
On certain vehicles equipped with the Soft Close Automatic, as well as the Comfort Access option, the doors may not latch correctly. Should a door open while the vehicle is underway, an unbelted occupant could fall from the vehicle and sustain personal injury. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the Car Access System Control Module with updated software.
Recall 20123502,087 units in Canada
Powertrain
On certain vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access option, if the driver depresses the start-stop button multiple times in rapid succession, the transmission could shift to Neutral (N) instead of Park (P). If the driver leaves the vehicle without engaging the parking brake, a sufficient slope could cause the vehicle to roll away. A rollaway vehicle could strike another vehicle, stationary object, or a bystander, causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the Central Gateway Control Module with updated software.
Recall 20103288,167 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain vehicles, a check valve in the brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil. Over time, this could result in contamination of the brake booster. Loss of brake power assist could occur which, in conjunction with traffic, road conditions, and driver's reactions, could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster and master cylinder. Additionally, the brake vacuum line (including the check valve) will be replaced to eliminate the possibility of oil reaching the brake booster.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 110,600 milesPhoenix, AZ
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WARNING STATES FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING THE AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER THIS WARNING ILLUMINATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE ON 9/30/2018. THERE WAS NO ONE SITTING THE IN PASSENGER SEAT AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO COLLISIONS.
NHTSA complaint #11133460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,600 milesPhoenix, AZ
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WARNING STATES FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING THE AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER THIS WARNING ILLUMINATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE ON 9/30/2018. THERE WAS NO ONE SITTING THE IN PASSENGER SEAT AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO COLLISIONS.
NHTSA complaint #11133460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 milesBaltimore, MD
SUSPENSION
ON 11-19-2017 WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY ROADWAY. MY PASSENGER CAR DOOR SUDDENLY OPENED AND TO AVOID ANY PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO MY PASSENGER I ABRUPTLY TURN MY VEHICLE TO A SAFER POSITION. NO SOON AFTER THAT I NOTICE MY VEHICLE LEVELING WARNING SIGN APPEAR ON THE DASH. WITH RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT OPENING DOOR LINKED UP TO RECALL ON THE NHTSA. I PROCEEDED TO CALL BMW FOR THE FIX. NOT KNOWING THE MECHANICS OF THE VEHICLE, I ASSUMED THIS FIX WILL FIX THE DOOR LOCK AND THE LEVELING PROBLEM. HOWEVER, I GOT THE DOOR FIXED BUT THE LEVELING PROBLEM GOT EVEN WORSE AFTER THE LOCK GOT FIXED. I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE ON 12-23-2017. TTHE LEVELING IS A HIGH SAFETY CONCERN. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE ISSUE EXISTS WITH THESE CARS AND I WOULD LIKE A REMEDY FOR MY SITUATION. I CONTACTED BMW, BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX THE ISSUE AS A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11058453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 milesBaltimore, MD
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
ON 11-19-2017 WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY ROADWAY. MY PASSENGER CAR DOOR SUDDENLY OPENED AND TO AVOID ANY PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO MY PASSENGER I ABRUPTLY TURN MY VEHICLE TO A SAFER POSITION. NO SOON AFTER THAT I NOTICE MY VEHICLE LEVELING WARNING SIGN APPEAR ON THE DASH. WITH RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT OPENING DOOR LINKED UP TO RECALL ON THE NHTSA. I PROCEEDED TO CALL BMW FOR THE FIX. NOT KNOWING THE MECHANICS OF THE VEHICLE, I ASSUMED THIS FIX WILL FIX THE DOOR LOCK AND THE LEVELING PROBLEM. HOWEVER, I GOT THE DOOR FIXED BUT THE LEVELING PROBLEM GOT EVEN WORSE AFTER THE LOCK GOT FIXED. I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE ON 12-23-2017. TTHE LEVELING IS A HIGH SAFETY CONCERN. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE ISSUE EXISTS WITH THESE CARS AND I WOULD LIKE A REMEDY FOR MY SITUATION. I CONTACTED BMW, BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX THE ISSUE AS A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11058453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, MS
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
2007 BMW 7 SERIES. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DOOR LATCH SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOOR OPENED WHILE DRIVING AND THE DRIVER ALMOST FELL OUT. THE DOOR HAD TO BE HELD WHILE DRIVING, AS TO KEEP IT FROM OPENING AGAIN. UPDATED 10/24/2017
NHTSA complaint #11035028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 141,000 milesMclean, VA
SEATS
RECEIVED THIS FAULT - '"DRIVER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT." BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER FAULT.' THE MAT SEAT SENSOR SEEMS TO HAVE PREMATURELY WORN OUT. JUST LIKE THE PASSENGER SIDE MAT THAT WAS RECALLED
NHTSA complaint #10811281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesKingstree, SC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS COMMUNTING TO WORK WHEN THE DOOR POPPED OPEN. AT FIRST I HEARD THE DASH CHIME AND QUCIKLY NOTICED THE SOUND OF WIND WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I LOOKED TO MY LEFT AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS CRACKED OPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING 65 MILES AN HOUR. I REACTED QUICKLY BUT WAS IN COMPLETE WAS SHOCK . I ATTEMPTED TO QUICKLY SHUT THE DOOR WHILE DRIVING BUT THE LOCK WOULD NOT CATCH. ALL I COULD DO WAS HOLD THE DOOR CLOSE AS TIGHTLY AS I COULD UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. WHEN I STOPPED I MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO CLOSE THE DOOR COMPLETEY, ON THE FORTH TRY IT CLOSED. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE ON TO WORK AND ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN BUT I WAS JUST UPTHE STREET FROM MY JOB. I WENT TO WORK AND CALLED MY HUSBAND CRYING AND THE NEAREST BMW SERVICE DEPT. I DID NOT CALL ANYONE WHILE COMMUNTING AFTER THE INCIDENT DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS IN FEAR OF THE DOOR OPENING AGAIN AND MY HANDS WERE NOT FREE. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THE REP RESEARCHED FOR ANY RECALLS IN REGARDS IN WHICH HE COULD NOT LOCATE ANY ON THE DOOR HANDLE. HE INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS SOMETHING WITH THE DOOR MODULE AND I NEEDED TO UPDATE THE PROGRAMMING FOR THE DOOR. I WAS TOTALLY CONFUSED. BUT IT COST ME $700 FOR ONE DOOR LOCK REPLACEMENT. AFTER THE INCIDENT I RECALLED THAT A COUPLE TIMES PREVOUSLY TO THE INCIDENT THAT THE SOFT CLOSE WOULD SOMETIMES NOT WORK ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND TO THIS DATE I AM UNSURE IF THE TWO PROBLEMS CORRELATED TO MY $700 FIX.
NHTSA complaint #10781163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,640 milesPembroke Pines, FL
AIR BAGS
SYSTEM AIRBAG FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON INSIDE THE CAR WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND REMAINED ON. MESSAGE STATED THAT I NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALERSHIP. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM BEING THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAT AND WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THIS HAS BEEN A BIG PROBLEM WITH BMW AND CERTAIN MODELS OF THERE CARS AND I SHOULD CHECK INTO A POSSIBLE RECALL IN THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10734996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesReston, VA
SEATS
DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AIRBAG SEAT MAT SENSOR. FAULT FOR DRIVER SIDE SEAT MAT SENSOR. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT MAT SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED UNDER RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE DRIVERS SIDE STILL HAS THE ERROR AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT MAT SENSOR IS NOT ALSO COVERED UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT MAT SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #10661350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesReston, VA
AIR BAGS
DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AIRBAG SEAT MAT SENSOR. FAULT FOR DRIVER SIDE SEAT MAT SENSOR. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT MAT SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED UNDER RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE DRIVERS SIDE STILL HAS THE ERROR AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT MAT SENSOR IS NOT ALSO COVERED UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT MAT SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #10661350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesReston, VA
STRUCTURE:BODY
DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE OR LATCH. THE DOOR HAD TO BE 'ZIP TIED' TO REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ISSUE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FOR MY VEHICLE WHICH HAS COMFORT ACCESS AND SOFT CLOSE DOORS. I FIND THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF THE ACTUATOR FAILS THAT THE DOOR CANNOT BE CLOSED AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #10661349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesReston, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AIRBAG SEAT MAT SENSOR. FAULT FOR DRIVER SIDE SEAT MAT SENSOR. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT MAT SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED UNDER RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE DRIVERS SIDE STILL HAS THE ERROR AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT MAT SENSOR IS NOT ALSO COVERED UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT MAT SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #10661350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesReston, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE OR LATCH. THE DOOR HAD TO BE 'ZIP TIED' TO REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ISSUE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FOR MY VEHICLE WHICH HAS COMFORT ACCESS AND SOFT CLOSE DOORS. I FIND THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF THE ACTUATOR FAILS THAT THE DOOR CANNOT BE CLOSED AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #10661349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesFarmers Branch, TX
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE RIGHT/PASSENGER FRONT DOOR DOES NOT STAY SHUT. IT WILL NOT LOCK, IT WILL NOT LATCH. IT APPEARS THAT THE ACTUATOR IS DEFECTIVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY BMW AND NOT A COST TO THE CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #10593513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesBirmingham, AL
ENGINE
THE OIL COOLER ADAPTER PLATE IS DEFECTIVE THE O RING IS DEFECTIVE AND LEAKS OIL ALL OVER EVERYTHING INCLUDING WIRES. IF YOUR CAR DOESN'T HAVE AN EXTERNAL OIL COOLER, THE PLATE, WITH THE O RING SEAL WILL LEAK OIL. THE OTHER SIDE HAS TWO HOLES THAT CAN BE MACHINED FOR THE EXTERNAL OIL COOLER, BUT IF YOUR CAR DOES NOT HAVE THAT FEATURE YOU WILL HAVE OIL LEAKS. COMMON OIL LEAK ON THE V8 N62 AND N62TU ENGINES THAT WOULD BE IN THE E65 7 SERIES AND THE X5 E53. THIS IS THE BEARING BLOCK WHERE THE ALTERNATOR MOUNTS TO. THERE IS A GASKET THAT DEVELOPS A BAD LEAK BECAUSE OF THE SEAL FAILING. THE SEAL HAS NO USE TO THE ENGINE IT IS JUST THERE JUST IN CASE IF YOU GET THE OIL COOLING OPTION AND IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO GET THE OPTION YOUR CAR WILL LEAK OIL BECAUSE THE SEAL IS NOT SUBSTANTIAL AND THE OIL HAS NO WHERE TO GO, SO IT LEAKS OUT OF THE GASKET. THE LEAK CAN BE QUITE SUBSTANTIAL.
NHTSA complaint #10515935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesNorcross, GA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TROUBLE FILLING GAS TANK, VERY VERY SLOW FILL WITH MULTIPLE OVERFLOW INCLUDING GAS SPILLAGE. GAS ATTENDANT STATED THAT THIS IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10491788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesLorton, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY COMPLAINT IS WITH 2007 BMW 750LI MODEL. THERE IS AN ENERGY PARASITE IN THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. IT HAS BEEN NARROWED DOWN/POINTED OUT AS THE "COMFORT ACCESS SYSTEM" BY OTHER OWNERS. THIS COMFORT ACCESS SYSTEM DOES NOT SHUT-DOWN COMPLETELY WHEN PARKED AND DRAINS THE BATTERY. ENERGY DRAIN ALSO OCCURS DURING THE VEHICLE OPERATION AND THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN A/C BLOWER FREQUENTLY TO CONSERVE ENERGY. IT REQUIRED ME TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO BMW DEALERS ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND BESIDES CHANGING THE BATTERY, NOTHING MUCH HAS BEEN ADDRESSED. EVEN AFTER NEW BATTERY, LOSS OF ENERGY STILL PERSISTS. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB REGARDING THIS ISSUE. BMW WOULD NOT PROACTIVELY ADDRESS THE ISSUE, UNLESS THE DIAGNOSTICS SYSTEM DIRECTS THEM TO A SPECIFIC AREA/AREAS. MY VEHICLE CURRENTLY IS NOT POINTING TO ANY ERRORS, SO BMW SHRUGS AWAY AND ASKS ME TO LIVE WITH IT. IN THE MEANWHILE, IT IS AN UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE VEHICLE TO OPERATE. PRESENTLY, THE LOSS OF ENERGY IS RESULTING IN BLOWER OR OTHER ENERGY CONSUMING DEVICE SHUTDOWN, AND REQUIRING A JUMP FOR VEHICLE START UP. IF THIS PHENOMENON GETS WORSE, THE VEHICLE CAN LOOSE POWER COMPLETELY DURING OPERATION AND SHUTDOWN, LEADING TO A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION, ESPECIALLY, ON HIGHWAYS IT CAN LEAD TO FATAL ACCIDENTS. I WOULD LIKE THIS SAFETY ISSUE TO BE ADDRESSED BY NHTSA. I AM AVAILABLE ANYTIME TO PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED TO BMW DEALERS AT MT. LAUREL, NJ AND ALEXANDRIA, VA, AND CUSTOMER SERVICE AND IS FULLY DOCUMENTED BY THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10474065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,000 milesBirmingham, AL
POWER TRAIN
A HUGE BANG/CLUNK WHICH FEELS LIKE ANOTHER CAR REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE. VERY FREIGHTING THAT CAUSES DRIVER PANIC! THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIME OVER THE PAST YEARS. DEALER REPORTS NOTHING CAN BE FOUND WRONG.
NHTSA complaint #10456018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.