Most common 2008 BMW 750li problems
Share of the 65 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 750li complaints by model year
Best 750li years: 2020, 2009, 2014. Years to avoid: 2006, 2007, 2008. Compare all years →
2008 BMW 750li recalls (2)
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2005-2008 745i, 745Li, 750i, 750Li, 760i, 760Li, and B7 Alpina vehicles equipped with both the Comfort Access and Soft Close Automatic options. In these vehicles, the doors may appear to be closed and latched, but, in fact, may inadvertently open.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the door latch system, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 7-Series vehicles, equipped with the Comfort Access option, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through July 24, 2008. The affected vehicles have an electronic key and an electronic connection between the gear shifter and the transmission (shift-by-wire) that automatically shifts the…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners beginning in November 2012. The remedy became available in March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2008 BMW 750li:
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…
What 2008 BMW 750li owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 20 →
My 2008 BMW 750li is leaking oil they say its the pressure switch then they said it was the brake buster pump leaking. I know there has been a recall on this make and model BMW but it do not come up under my viin number in the recall list of viin. The vehicle is now parked searching for true answers..
Symptom with engine stalled after 5 minutes of driving on busy intersection.. The transmission auto to p after full stop, could not change gear, breaks hardened. Steering tight! Battery worked but no message on idrive / dashboard. About 6 times to re-start but couldn't! Waited 15 minutes looked up issue on the web by cell phone. Car started, cold start; symptom was check-engine light popped on; reduced driving power; car vibration; idrive message "?transmission failure; p, n, r, 3, 5, 6 ; drive moderately to nearest BMW dealer ! Put on hazard light, drove home 1 mile away car vibration sound noticeable. Very scary and dangerous to have vehicle failure abruptly with no resolution or warning?. My 2008 BMW 750li with 57,000 miles started next day with check engine light remained for a few hours then off. …
Body & structure
A SUV traveling at 20 miles per hr hits passenger side of a 750 li traveling crossing a 2 way intersection spins the cars in a circle with skid marks on the highway damage the passenger side of the door and the lower panel of car and only there bumper was loose and it was driveable how is that a SUV traveling at such slow speed as I been told can do such do as much damages to a 750 li and the car is totaled
The driver side door will not close shut. This starting occurring intermittently in early May 2016 and took several attempts of lifting the door handle several times before the soft lock would take. Today 22 May 2016, the door failed to close and lock after multiple attempts and extensively exercising the door handles from both inside and outside the vehicle. Fortunately the car was not in motion during the many times the problem occurred, but it should be obvious that the vehicle cannot be driven safely if the door does not close. In reading up and educating myself on this defect, this appears to have been a known issue in the previous year of this same model but for whatever reason, the recall was not extend to the 2008. I love the BMW 7 series particularly this 750, but I will have to end my 12 year marriage of owning BMW's if they choose not to remedy this defect in the 2008.
Electrical system
My 2008 BMW 750li is leaking oil they say its the pressure switch then they said it was the brake buster pump leaking. I know there has been a recall on this make and model BMW but it do not come up under my viin number in the recall list of viin. The vehicle is now parked searching for true answers..
I have a 2008 750 li BMW 110,00 miles on it an I been haing problems with seat belt fault electrical parsitic draw in electrical system BMW cant seem to fix these issues. I have spent thousand of dollars chasing these defects and safety issues. I read the complaints about the same issue others were having and nothing has been done to recall these vehicle in. Please respond to this because im lost for answers on why isnt this vehicle been recall for these problems. Vehicle is sitting in my garage cant drive dont start change battery continue to drain. Have been to dealer three times for this problem. My phone nr to reach me is [redacted]
2008 BMW 750li engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 23 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 BMW 750li a good car?
Based on 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 750li rates avoid: 2.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the 750li at the same age. It is one of the 750li years we suggest avoiding. 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 2008 BMW 750li?
The transmission & drivetrain — 20 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the body & structure (17) and electrical system (13).
How many recalls does the 2008 BMW 750li have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2008 BMW 750li, the most recent from May 18, 2017 (latch). 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 750li?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2009 and 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006, 2007 and 2008. See the full BMW 750li years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 BMW 750li problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 85,000 miles; 11% 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.