FaultScore

FaultScore report

2012 BMW 750I problems

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2012 BMW 750I with NHTSA between 2017 and 2023. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 7 worst.

C

FaultScore 43/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the BMW 750I.

How this is worked out

The numbers

12

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

22,966 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

63%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 21 vs 50 Severity 43 vs 50 Early failure 100 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 21
Against the median year of the BMW 750I. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 43
8.3% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100
63% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2012 compares with every other BMW 750I

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2012 BMW 750I

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 6 50.0%

Median failure at 53,425 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 3 25.0%

Median failure at 56,000 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 8.3%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 12,000 mi

Brakes 1 8.3%

Median failure at 21,083 miles

Electrical System 1 8.3%

Median failure at 21,083 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

10,000 – 24,999 miles 5 62.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 1 12.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 1 12.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 1 12.5%

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.

Feb 2017 peak 3 Mar 2023

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 12,000 miles SAN Ramon, CA Fire

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ON JANUARY 10TH 2018, MY BMW (2012, 750I), SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED IN OUR GARAGE, UNDER MY SON'S BEDROOMS, AFTER NOT BEING ON FOR 14.5 HOURS. *BF

NHTSA complaint #11075825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 82,000 miles Brooklyn, NY

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 750I. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was idling rough. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was making an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as a timing chain failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000.

NHTSA complaint #11509904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Worth, TX

POWER TRAIN

Transmission secure vehicle with parking break when stationary. The vehicle jumps from park to neural by its self randomly and pops up with the transmission warning. Heard it's a common problem should be recalled

NHTSA complaint #11466653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,000 miles Los Angeles, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 750I. The contact stated that while stopped in traffic, a wildfire began to approach his vehicle. The contact then stated that white smoke obstructed his vision on the highway. As the contact depressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle stalled with the transmission disengaged message on the instrument panel. The contact restarted the vehicle three times before the transmission re-engaged and the contact was able to escape the thick smoke that had covered his vehicle. The contact called the dealer and spoke to a service advisor who stated that the heat from the fire caused the vehicle to stall. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred him back to the dealer for an inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

NHTSA complaint #11436892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 116,000 miles Easton, PA

ENGINE

VEHICLE CONSUMES LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL. MOST OIL BURNS AND RELEASES FROM THE EXHAUST WHEN DRIVING.. ENGINE REQUIRES A REPLACEMENT FROM BMW.

NHTSA complaint #11341512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Redondo Beach, CA

POWER TRAIN

THERE IS WHITE SMOKE THAT IS COMING OUT OF THE BACK PIPES OF THE CAR. THE CAR IS BURNING THROUGH OIL. I AM PUTTING A QUART IN EVERY 2 -3 WEEKS. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT IT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE 2009 MODEL. THE 2009 750I HAS BEEN RECALLED TO FIX THE ENGINE PROBLEM AND I HAVE A 2012 MODEL. THE SMOKE COMES OUT WHEN I AM DRIVING NOT WHEN IT IS STATIONARY ON THE CITY STREET, HIGHWAY OR WHEREVER. I DON'T FEEL SAFE. I AM GOING TO START DRIVING MORE DISTANCE AND I DON'T WANT TO RUN OUT OF OIL AND CAUSE MORE DAMAGE TO MY CAR. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE OIL CONSUMPTION. THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES SURROUNDING THE CAR. I AM NOT A MECHANIC. BUT, I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THIS CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WHEN I BOUGHT IT.

NHTSA complaint #11217885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Redondo Beach, CA

ENGINE

THERE IS WHITE SMOKE THAT IS COMING OUT OF THE BACK PIPES OF THE CAR. THE CAR IS BURNING THROUGH OIL. I AM PUTTING A QUART IN EVERY 2 -3 WEEKS. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT IT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE 2009 MODEL. THE 2009 750I HAS BEEN RECALLED TO FIX THE ENGINE PROBLEM AND I HAVE A 2012 MODEL. THE SMOKE COMES OUT WHEN I AM DRIVING NOT WHEN IT IS STATIONARY ON THE CITY STREET, HIGHWAY OR WHEREVER. I DON'T FEEL SAFE. I AM GOING TO START DRIVING MORE DISTANCE AND I DON'T WANT TO RUN OUT OF OIL AND CAUSE MORE DAMAGE TO MY CAR. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE OIL CONSUMPTION. THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES SURROUNDING THE CAR. I AM NOT A MECHANIC. BUT, I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THIS CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WHEN I BOUGHT IT.

NHTSA complaint #11217885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 24,850 miles Homer, LA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 750I. AFTER CHARGING THE VEHICLE, THE "ENGINE COMPARTMENT HOT" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,850.

NHTSA complaint #11133130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Moreno Valley, CA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 750I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V248000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BMW OF ONTARIO (1350 AUTO CENTER DR, ONTARIO, CA 91761, (909) 906-4000) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11121840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,000 miles SAN Ramon, CA Fire

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ON JANUARY 10TH 2018, MY BMW (2012, 750I), SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED IN OUR GARAGE, UNDER MY SON'S BEDROOMS, AFTER NOT BEING ON FOR 14.5 HOURS. *BF

NHTSA complaint #11075825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 21,083 miles Clifton, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DEALER REPORTED THAT MOISTURE ENTERED A WATERPROOF ENCLOSURE THAT HOUSES THE BRAKE MODULATOR. WATER ENTERED THRU A DRAIN HOLE FROM THE COWL AND BYPASSED A PLATE MEANT TO KEEP WATER OUT. ONCE EFFECTED BY MOISTURE THE MODULATOR SHUT DOWN ALL FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR INCLUDING THE ENGINE WHILE MOVING. BMW BLAMED IT ON PARTIAL SUBMERSION OF THE MODULATOR BUT CAR WAS NEVER EFFECTED BY WATER/SUBMERSION AND THE DEALER AGREED THAT THEIR WAS NO EVIDENCE OF THAT AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING TO SUPPORT THAT CONDITION. UPON REPAIR DEALER WENT TO GREAT LENGTHS TO TRY AND SEAL COMPARTMENT AND INSTALL DIVERTER THAT WAS REPLACED IN THE REPAIR TO PREVENT REOCCURRENCE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN MANUFACTURE ON A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF CARS MADE BY BMW FOR THIS SPECIFIC MODEL. OWNERS NEED TO KNOW THAT THE CONDITIONS EXPERIENCED HAVE A MUCH DIFFERENT EFFECT ON SAFETY DUE TO THE HYBRID DESIGN THAN A STANDARD NON HYBRID CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10950199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 21,083 miles Clifton, VA

ENGINE

DEALER REPORTED THAT MOISTURE ENTERED A WATERPROOF ENCLOSURE THAT HOUSES THE BRAKE MODULATOR. WATER ENTERED THRU A DRAIN HOLE FROM THE COWL AND BYPASSED A PLATE MEANT TO KEEP WATER OUT. ONCE EFFECTED BY MOISTURE THE MODULATOR SHUT DOWN ALL FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR INCLUDING THE ENGINE WHILE MOVING. BMW BLAMED IT ON PARTIAL SUBMERSION OF THE MODULATOR BUT CAR WAS NEVER EFFECTED BY WATER/SUBMERSION AND THE DEALER AGREED THAT THEIR WAS NO EVIDENCE OF THAT AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING TO SUPPORT THAT CONDITION. UPON REPAIR DEALER WENT TO GREAT LENGTHS TO TRY AND SEAL COMPARTMENT AND INSTALL DIVERTER THAT WAS REPLACED IN THE REPAIR TO PREVENT REOCCURRENCE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN MANUFACTURE ON A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF CARS MADE BY BMW FOR THIS SPECIFIC MODEL. OWNERS NEED TO KNOW THAT THE CONDITIONS EXPERIENCED HAVE A MUCH DIFFERENT EFFECT ON SAFETY DUE TO THE HYBRID DESIGN THAN A STANDARD NON HYBRID CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10950199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 21,083 miles Clifton, VA

SERVICE BRAKES

DEALER REPORTED THAT MOISTURE ENTERED A WATERPROOF ENCLOSURE THAT HOUSES THE BRAKE MODULATOR. WATER ENTERED THRU A DRAIN HOLE FROM THE COWL AND BYPASSED A PLATE MEANT TO KEEP WATER OUT. ONCE EFFECTED BY MOISTURE THE MODULATOR SHUT DOWN ALL FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR INCLUDING THE ENGINE WHILE MOVING. BMW BLAMED IT ON PARTIAL SUBMERSION OF THE MODULATOR BUT CAR WAS NEVER EFFECTED BY WATER/SUBMERSION AND THE DEALER AGREED THAT THEIR WAS NO EVIDENCE OF THAT AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING TO SUPPORT THAT CONDITION. UPON REPAIR DEALER WENT TO GREAT LENGTHS TO TRY AND SEAL COMPARTMENT AND INSTALL DIVERTER THAT WAS REPLACED IN THE REPAIR TO PREVENT REOCCURRENCE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN MANUFACTURE ON A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF CARS MADE BY BMW FOR THIS SPECIFIC MODEL. OWNERS NEED TO KNOW THAT THE CONDITIONS EXPERIENCED HAVE A MUCH DIFFERENT EFFECT ON SAFETY DUE TO THE HYBRID DESIGN THAN A STANDARD NON HYBRID CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10950199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.