Most common 2012 BMW 740li problems
Share of the 5 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 740li complaints by model year
Best 740li years: 2020, 2012. Compare all years →
2012 BMW 740li recalls (1)
Power train › Driveline › Constant velocity joint
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.
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.
What 2012 BMW 740li owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 BMW 740li. When the contact attempted to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated and then lunged forward. The failure occurred often. During the failure, the "power train malfunctioning" message appeared on the instrument panel. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 69,000.
While driving at the speed of 55 MPH, a warning sounds (dings) as my car reads drive train malfunction and it reduces speed. It also says (reads) driving comfort restricted and it stops automatically as I'm driving.
2012 BMW 740li engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 BMW 740li a good car?
Based on 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 740li rates average: 29% fewer complaints than a typical year of the 740li at the same age. It is one of the best 740li years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 BMW 740li?
The transmission & drivetrain — 3 complaints, 60% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (1) and stability & traction control (1).
How many recalls does the 2012 BMW 740li have?
There is 1 recall for the 2012 BMW 740li, the most recent from February 2, 2017 (constant velocity joint). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW 740li?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020 and 2012. See the full BMW 740li years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 BMW 740li problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 73,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.