Owners have filed 16 complaints
about the 2008 BMW 7 Series with NHTSA between 2010 and 2018.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 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 — 33
Against the median year of the BMW 7 Series. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
25% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% 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 2008 BMW 7 Series
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
531.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 138,250 mi
Body & Structure
212.5%
Median failure at 73,735 miles
Equipment & Accessories
16.3%
Doors, Latches & Locks
16.3%
Seats
16.3%
Median failure at 91,000 miles
Seat Belts
16.3%
Median failure at 91,000 miles
Wheels
16.3%
Tires
16.3%
Lights
16.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Brakes
16.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 37,214 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
16.3%
Median failure at 185,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
110.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
110.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
550.0%
150,000+ miles
330.0%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2008 BMW 7 Series 4-DR w/SAB
—
—
—
—
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.
Jun 2010peak 4Dec 2018
NHTSA investigations into the 2008 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...
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 2008 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 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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
EL Monte, CAFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 750 (NA) EQUIPPED WITH HID CONVERSION KIT 8000K. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND AS HE EXITED, THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED INDEPENDENTLY. THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06E034000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
NHTSA complaint #10380149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monroe, LA2 injured
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE DOORS OF THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED WITH NO PROMPTING AFTER SECURING MY 2 BABIES IN THE CAR WITH MY PURSE, KEYS, AND EVERYTHING LOCKED INSIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10359312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,214 milesLOS Angeles, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
JUST HAD AN ACCIDENT IN MY BMW 750LI, FAILING TO COME TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT INTERSECTION AND HITTING REAR OF A FORD EXPLORER IN FRONT OF ME, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CENTER OF MY FRONT BUMPER. I HAD MY BRAKES JAMMED ON FOR OVER 10 FEET, GOING AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED, BUT BRAKES HAD NO EFFECT AND CAR KEPT GOING UNTIL IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #10358806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Savannah, GACrash
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
2008 BMW 750I. CONSUMER STATES AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A COLLISION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS T-BONED AT AN INTERSECTION BY A CAR WHO RAN A RED LIGHT AT OVER 45 MPH. *JB THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A FROM THE SPECIAL PRODUCT INVESTIGATION WHICH STATED THE IMPACT WAS A RELATIVELY LIGHT SIDE-SWIPE TYPE OF COLLISION IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE LETTER ALSO STATED THE IMPACT ENERGY WAS NOT ONLY TOO LOW TO WARRANT DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG, IT WAS TOO LOW TO DEPLOY OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DEVICES THAT HAD A LOWER THRESHOLD. UPDATED 10/04/10
NHTSA complaint #10356451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 185,500 milesCharlotte, NC
AIR BAGS
GETTING ERROR "FAULT IN PASS.-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. FASTEN AND CONTINUE TO WEAR BELTS. PLEASE CONTACT THE NEAREST BMW CENTER." IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FIXED ON 06 07 BMW 750LI BY RECALL WHAT MAKES 08 DIFFERENT?
NHTSA complaint #11155824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 185,500 milesCharlotte, NC
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
GETTING ERROR "FAULT IN PASS.-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. FASTEN AND CONTINUE TO WEAR BELTS. PLEASE CONTACT THE NEAREST BMW CENTER." IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FIXED ON 06 07 BMW 750LI BY RECALL WHAT MAKES 08 DIFFERENT?
NHTSA complaint #11155824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 185,000 milesMonrovia, CA
POWER TRAIN
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A UPWARD INCLINE THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO ACCELERATE AND THE TRANSMISSION FAULT LIGHT WOULD COME ON. I WOULD STOP THE VEHICLE AND RESTART THE ENGINE. IT WOULD ONLY HAPPEN AND I STARTED TO DRIVE ON A UPWARD INCLINE. NOW THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION DEFAULT LIGHT REMAINS ON.
NHTSA complaint #11113625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesCarmel, IN
SEATS
THE VERY SAME ISSUE THAT BMW HAS RECALLED THEIR 2006 - 2007 7 SERIES IS AFFECTING MY 2008 7 SERIES AND BMW IS REFUSING THE FIX THE ISSUE. HTTP://BRANDILAWBLOG.FILES.WORDPRESS.COM/2013/12/BMW-RECALL.PDF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT THAT DETERMINES IF AND HOW THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG SHOULD DEPLOY IN A CRASH MAY FATIGUE AND DEVELOP CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO A SYSTEM FAILURE. CONSEQUENCE: SHOULD THE SYSTEM FAIL, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WOULD BE DEACTIVATED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V-564 COMPONENTS: AIR BAGS AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #10604607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesCarmel, IN
SEAT BELTS
THE VERY SAME ISSUE THAT BMW HAS RECALLED THEIR 2006 - 2007 7 SERIES IS AFFECTING MY 2008 7 SERIES AND BMW IS REFUSING THE FIX THE ISSUE. HTTP://BRANDILAWBLOG.FILES.WORDPRESS.COM/2013/12/BMW-RECALL.PDF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT THAT DETERMINES IF AND HOW THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG SHOULD DEPLOY IN A CRASH MAY FATIGUE AND DEVELOP CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO A SYSTEM FAILURE. CONSEQUENCE: SHOULD THE SYSTEM FAIL, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WOULD BE DEACTIVATED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V-564 COMPONENTS: AIR BAGS AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #10604607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesCarmel, IN
AIR BAGS
THE VERY SAME ISSUE THAT BMW HAS RECALLED THEIR 2006 - 2007 7 SERIES IS AFFECTING MY 2008 7 SERIES AND BMW IS REFUSING THE FIX THE ISSUE. HTTP://BRANDILAWBLOG.FILES.WORDPRESS.COM/2013/12/BMW-RECALL.PDF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT THAT DETERMINES IF AND HOW THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG SHOULD DEPLOY IN A CRASH MAY FATIGUE AND DEVELOP CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO A SYSTEM FAILURE. CONSEQUENCE: SHOULD THE SYSTEM FAIL, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WOULD BE DEACTIVATED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V-564 COMPONENTS: AIR BAGS AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #10604607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesCarmel, IN
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
THE VERY SAME ISSUE THAT BMW HAS RECALLED THEIR 2006 - 2007 7 SERIES IS AFFECTING MY 2008 7 SERIES AND BMW IS REFUSING THE FIX THE ISSUE. HTTP://BRANDILAWBLOG.FILES.WORDPRESS.COM/2013/12/BMW-RECALL.PDF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT THAT DETERMINES IF AND HOW THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG SHOULD DEPLOY IN A CRASH MAY FATIGUE AND DEVELOP CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO A SYSTEM FAILURE. CONSEQUENCE: SHOULD THE SYSTEM FAIL, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WOULD BE DEACTIVATED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V-564 COMPONENTS: AIR BAGS AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #10604607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesNorth Brunswick, NJ
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
I PREVIOUSLY FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA APPROXIMATELY 1 WEEK AGO TO REPORT THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR ON MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED LATCHING CLOSED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED BMW CENTER IN PRINCETON NJ TO HAVE THIS ISSUE DIAGNOSED AND RESOLVED. THEY REPLACED THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR AND THE DOOR LATCHED CLOSED AS IT SHOULD FOR ABOUT A WEEK. 1 WEEK LATER (TODAY) THE SAME DOOR LATCH EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEM, ONLY THIS TIME IT BECAME UNLATCHED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD. THE DOORS WERE LOCKED PRIOR TO THE DRIVER SIDE OPEN SWINGING OPEN AND PROCEEDING TO UNLOCK. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE DOOR LATCH ACTUATOR WAS NOT THE PROBLEM, AND THERE IS A MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM HERE, OR THAT PRINCETON BMW DID NOT REPLACE THE PART AS THEY CLAIMED (AND BILLED ME FOR).
NHTSA complaint #10585592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,470 milesSanta Maria, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY
DOOR OPEN LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AFTER HITTING BUMPS EVEN WHILE LOCKED .DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE AND LATCH AFTER STOPPING TO FUEL OR OTHER STOPS. HAVE TO HOLD CLOSED BY HAND TO GET HOME. THE CAR WAS JUST PURCHASED THE DAY THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED . SINCE THEN 3 TIMES IT HAS FAILED TO LATCH . IT DOES HAVE COMFORT ACCESS AND SOFT CLOSE DOORS . THE COMFORT ACCESS HAS NOT WORKED SINCE I GOT THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10515922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntington Beach, CA
TIRES
MICHELIN 245/35 21 TIRES, SIDEWALL BUBBLES AFTER LESS THEN 2500 MILES WEAKENING TIRE POTENTIAL CRASH CAUS.
NHTSA complaint #10417844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Monte, CAFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 750 (NA) EQUIPPED WITH HID CONVERSION KIT 8000K. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND AS HE EXITED, THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED INDEPENDENTLY. THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06E034000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
NHTSA complaint #10380149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monroe, LA2 injured
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE DOORS OF THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED WITH NO PROMPTING AFTER SECURING MY 2 BABIES IN THE CAR WITH MY PURSE, KEYS, AND EVERYTHING LOCKED INSIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10359312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,214 milesLOS Angeles, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
JUST HAD AN ACCIDENT IN MY BMW 750LI, FAILING TO COME TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT INTERSECTION AND HITTING REAR OF A FORD EXPLORER IN FRONT OF ME, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CENTER OF MY FRONT BUMPER. I HAD MY BRAKES JAMMED ON FOR OVER 10 FEET, GOING AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED, BUT BRAKES HAD NO EFFECT AND CAR KEPT GOING UNTIL IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #10358806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Savannah, GACrash
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
2008 BMW 750I. CONSUMER STATES AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A COLLISION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS T-BONED AT AN INTERSECTION BY A CAR WHO RAN A RED LIGHT AT OVER 45 MPH. *JB THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A FROM THE SPECIAL PRODUCT INVESTIGATION WHICH STATED THE IMPACT WAS A RELATIVELY LIGHT SIDE-SWIPE TYPE OF COLLISION IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE LETTER ALSO STATED THE IMPACT ENERGY WAS NOT ONLY TOO LOW TO WARRANT DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG, IT WAS TOO LOW TO DEPLOY OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DEVICES THAT HAD A LOWER THRESHOLD. UPDATED 10/04/10
NHTSA complaint #10356451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairview Heights, IL
WHEELS
CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING CONSUMER FRAUD *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PURCHASE WAS A SET OF CHROME WHEELS WHICH WAS A MAIL ORDER WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE DEFECTIVE AS THEY COULDN'T BE BALANCED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE COMPANY INSTRUCTED HIM TO SHIP THEM BACK VIA FEDERAL EXPRESS AT HIS EXPENSE. THAT WAS DONE ON MARCH 19, 2010 AND THEY NEVER RETURNED THE WHEELS OR HIS MONEY.
NHTSA complaint #10335910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairview Heights, IL
EQUIPMENT
CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING CONSUMER FRAUD *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PURCHASE WAS A SET OF CHROME WHEELS WHICH WAS A MAIL ORDER WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE DEFECTIVE AS THEY COULDN'T BE BALANCED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE COMPANY INSTRUCTED HIM TO SHIP THEM BACK VIA FEDERAL EXPRESS AT HIS EXPENSE. THAT WAS DONE ON MARCH 19, 2010 AND THEY NEVER RETURNED THE WHEELS OR HIS MONEY.
NHTSA complaint #10335910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.