Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 BMW 750li owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 750LI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, there was oil leaking onto the ground and also onto the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake vacuum pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
In 2009, we bought this 2006 BMW 750Li as pre-owned and certified warranty from BMW of Tenafly, New Jersey. We have registration address maintained in New Jersey, and have not updated, even though we moved to Chicago, Illinois in summer of 2011. BMW issued 6 recalls for 7-series manufactured between 2005 and 2008. The recalls on manufacturer defects on electric and transmission in 2012 and 2013, and again in 2017. We missed all of the notices for these recalls. The vehicle was driven for less than 50,000 miles, from 2009 to 2019. The vehicle was inspected, and in good mechanical conditions, as well as body, since the vehicle has been garaged most of times. Since 2019, the vehicle has been in shops for repairs for electric and transmission and engine. It has been more than 3 years for our vehicle in the shops, and over $21,000 spent, there is no sign that the vehicle can be driven. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 750li. The contact stated that the service engine warning light was illuminated and the vehicle jerked, knocked, and shook. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was unsafe to drive and randomly stalled. The independent dealer was notified more than three times and was unable to provide a permanent remedy. The vehicle was at the dealer for over a month. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who inspected that the engine was misfiring. The starter was replaced, but the vehicle continued to shake and stall. The service engine light remained illuminated. The contact had to tow the vehicle numerous times due to the failure. The vehicle was unable to be driven for several months. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 750li. The contact stated that oil was leaking all over the engine. In addition, while driving various speeds, all the electrical components on the vehicle shut off without warning and the air bag warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The contact associated the failures with NHTSA campaign number: 12V502000 (power train, electrical system) and NHTSA campaign number: 13V564000 (air bags). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that there were no recalls. No further assistance was offered. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 165,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 750li. The contact stated that the exhaust system emitted white smoke while at a stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. The dealer advised that the head gasket seal failed and caused engine oil to leak into the pistons. There was also engine oil leaking into the valves, which caused premature engine oil consumption that bellowed white smoke from the exhaust system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,000 and the current mileage was 74,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 750li. The contact stated that the vehicle had a defective valve seal, which caused engine damage. The contact notified the dealer (otto's BMW, 1275 wilmington pike, west chester, pa 19382 [phone]) that the vehicle was heating oil every 3,000 miles. Once the vehicle was parked for a certain amount of time, it produced a large amount of black smoke from the exhaust. The dealer stated that this was normal for that year, make, and model vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 750li. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle jerked independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission, cooling system and engine need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,031.
My 2006 BMW 750li was parked in my drive on Friday 7/5/2019 around 11:00 p.m. And remained there. On Sunday morning 7/7/2019 around 8:45 a.m. My car alarm sounded and when I look outside my car was on fire. The blaze from the firs not only burned up my BMW but also my damaged my SUV and damaged my other car. The car was parked for over 36 hours before the fire began.
2 separate issues 1st, the vehicle when in park cannot switch to drive or reverse, it will only switch to neutral. Happen on countless occasions. Brought the vehicle to russell BMW who told me I have to pay to replace the transmission. Recall 93562 is now posted on BMW website detailing the same issue. Spoke to a rep who dismissed my vehicle complaint because the VIN # does not fall under the luxury package therefore not included in the recall. 2nd issue..the vehicle brakes when applied does not stop. Twice it's happen when I tried to slow or stop resulting in scaring me half to death and near accidents. …
Driving, with my wife as passenger,on 118 fwy, in simi valley california at approx. 11:30 pm on June 6 when air bags deployed without warning, and without collision or impact. Engine was disabled and I was miraculously able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road, despite lack of vision from airbag and from dust inside vehicle. No indication of any impact whatsoever. Vehicle was completely disabled and I was barely able to get vehicle out of traffic lane. Dashboard had two messages: 1. "engine malfunction" 2. "fault in passenger restraint system affecting airbag, belt tensioner or belt force limiter" vehicle was towed to a local BMW vehicle on Monday , June 10, and I have been waiting to hear something/anything from BMW factory ever since. Clearly, this accident could very well have been a fatality had there been traffic on the freeway or had we not been extremely fortunate.
Engine complaints in other 750li years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2006 BMW 750li?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 BMW 750li, 11% of the model year's 216 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 BMW 750li engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2006 BMW 750li, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 BMW 750li engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.