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Sedan · Hybrid · 101 versions · owner report
Ranked #1 of 8 luxury full-size cars on owner data, price and fuel economy
Power
0–62 mph (0–100 km/h)
Top speed (250 km/h)
Combined, EPA 2027
Our take, from owner reports
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on generation and ownership phase.
7 problems reported (1 very frequent, 4 recurrent, 2 isolated) · medium confidence
Very expensive parts and labor, especially for electronic components and engine-related repairs.
Issues with control modules, sensors, and infotainment systems that are difficult and costly to diagnose and repair.
Specific mention of complicated, over-engineered engines (e.g., N63) that are expensive to fix; turbochargers noted as costly bespoke items on performance variants.
Plastic cooling components prone to leaking, with repairs often requiring significant disassembly.
Oil leaks from common failure points like the valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket; oil level sensor reliability questioned.
Risk of failure on some engines if maintenance is neglected, leading to catastrophic engine damage.
"lifetime" fluid designation criticized; fluid changes recommended around 100,000 km to prevent damage.
Insufficient owner data available to designate a specific "best" trim or model year. One owner of a 2015 diesel model reported satisfaction with its fuel economy, but no consensus exists on optimal configurations.
Owners compare it most often with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8, Lexus LS and Bentley Continental GT.
Is the 7 Series right for you?
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Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on generation and ownership phase. Long-term owner reports for older generations (e.g., E65, F01, G11/G12) highlight significant concerns regarding high maintenance costs, complex electronics, and expensive repairs as the vehicles age, particularly when professional labor is required. These models are described as "over-engineered" with components prone to failure, leading to substantial out-of-pocket expenses. However, a 2015 model (G11/G12 generation) with a diesel engine is noted for good fuel economy (29 MPG). More recent discussions indicate strong sales performance for the current generation, suggesting positive market reception. The overarching theme is that these are technologically advanced, comfortable luxury sedans that can become financially burdensome to maintain outside of warranty, with reliability perceptions varying by specific engine and model year.
Positioned as a technological flagship and driver-oriented alternative within the full-size luxury sedan segment. In direct comparisons, it is frequently noted that the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is perceived as more luxurious and comfortable, while the BMW 7 Series is often regarded as sportier to drive. The Lexus LS is consistently highlighted for superior reliability and lower long-term ownership costs, creating a clear value dichotomy. Discussions also place the 7 Series as a significantly more affordable and serviceable alternative to ultra-luxury vehicles like Bentley or Rolls-Royce, though not directly in the same class.
Insufficient owner data available. No specific powertrain, drivetrain, or trim recommendations are consistently advocated for in the provided discussions.
Strongly recommended for purchase with an active and comprehensive extended warranty to mitigate the high cost of potential repairs. Ownership is only advised for individuals who are either mechanically adept and can perform their own maintenance and repairs, or for those who can budget for significant professional service costs. A thorough pre-purchase inspection by a specialist is considered essential, with a focus on service history and electronic system functionality. These vehicles are characterized as poor financial choices for buyers seeking low-cost, long-term ownership without a warranty safety net.
Owner experiences and cost warnings are amalgamated from discussions covering multiple 7 Series generations, including the E65, F01, and G11/G12. The high cost of ownership is the most dominant and consistent theme, with a clear divide between those who can manage costs via self-maintenance and those reliant on dealerships or independent shops. The technological complexity, while a selling point when new, is repeatedly cited as the primary source of long-term reliability concerns and expense. The provided data includes limited specific praise for driving dynamics or interior luxury, focusing overwhelmingly on ownership cost challenges.
Owner insights per generation and US complaint/recall records (NHTSA).
Most-reported areas (NHTSA): service brakes (19) · electronic stability control (esc) (9) · electrical system (6)
Our take, from owner reports
Owners of the G70 7 Series are sharply divided on its exterior design, with many calling the front grille and split headlights imposing or bold while others describe the car as ugly or a departure from BMW's design heritage.
3 problems reported (1 recurrent, 2 isolated) · low confidence
Is a 2022–2026 7 Series right for you?
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Most-reported areas (NHTSA): electrical system (24) · engine (22) · unknown or other (12)
Our take, from owner reports
Owners of the G11 7 Series consistently describe it as a genuinely impressive luxury cruiser with outstanding ride quality, comfort, and presence.
14 problems reported (6 recurrent, 8 isolated) · medium confidence
Is a 2015–2022 7 Series right for you?
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Most-reported areas (NHTSA): electrical system (24) · engine (22) · unknown or other (12)
Our take, from owner reports
Owners of the G12 7 Series consistently describe it as an exceptionally comfortable, imposing luxury cruiser with a ride quality unmatched by other BMWs.
7 problems reported (1 very frequent, 2 recurrent, 4 isolated) · low confidence
Soft close doors, head up display, leather pulling up from dash, seat buttons all reported as failure points.
Is a 2015–2022 7 Series right for you?
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Most-reported areas (NHTSA): engine (76) · power train (37) · unknown or other (22)
Our take, from owner reports
Owners of the 2012-2015 F02h 7 Series describe it as a supremely comfortable, luxurious, and fast flagship that delivers an unmatched ride quality among BMWs, but nearly all discussions converge on the same warning: this generation is extremely expensive to own and maintain, particularly the V8 models.
5 problems reported (2 very frequent, 1 recurrent, 2 isolated) · high confidence
Is a 2012–2015 7 Series right for you?
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Most-reported areas (NHTSA): engine (76) · power train (37) · unknown or other (22)
Our take, from owner reports
Owner sentiment for the 2012-2015 F01h 7 Series is predominantly cautionary.
8 problems reported (2 very frequent, 4 recurrent, 2 isolated) · high confidence
Is a 2012–2015 7 Series right for you?
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Most-reported areas (NHTSA): engine (132) · power train (79) · electrical system (41)
Our take, from owner reports
Owners overwhelmingly advise against purchasing this generation as a used car, particularly the V8 N63-powered 750i/750Li models, which are described as unreliable, extremely expensive to repair, and prone to catastrophic failures.
6 problems reported (1 very frequent, 2 recurrent, 3 isolated) · high confidence
Carbon deposits requiring engine removal, and injector failures.
Is a 2009–2012 7 Series right for you?
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Most-reported areas (NHTSA): engine (153) · power train (116) · electrical system (65)
Our take, from owner reports
Owners describe the F01 7 Series as a deeply luxurious, comfortable, and imposing flagship that delivers an unmatched ride quality and a sense of security, but they overwhelmingly warn against buying it used.
11 problems reported (3 very frequent, 6 recurrent, 2 isolated) · high confidence
Is a 2008–2015 7 Series right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
Most-reported areas (NHTSA): engine (153) · power train (116) · electrical system (65)
Our take, from owner reports
Owners of the F02 7 Series consistently describe it as a luxurious, comfortable, and surprisingly capable car that delivers an unmatched ride quality and a sense of security.
9 problems reported (2 very frequent, 6 recurrent, 1 isolated) · high confidence
Is a 2008–2015 7 Series right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
Most-reported areas (NHTSA): power train (242) · air bags (178) · electrical system (139)
Our take, from owner reports
Owner sentiment for the 2001-2008 E65 7 Series is overwhelmingly negative, with the dominant theme being that these cars are financially ruinous to own.
11 problems reported (2 very frequent, 4 recurrent, 5 isolated) · high confidence
Is a 2001–2008 7 Series right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
Most-reported areas (NHTSA): power train (242) · air bags (178) · electrical system (139)
Our take, from owner reports
Owner sentiment for the 2001-2008 E66 7 Series is overwhelmingly negative, with the vast majority of discussion participants advising against purchase.
13 problems reported (1 very frequent, 5 recurrent, 7 isolated) · high confidence
Is a 2001–2008 7 Series right for you?
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Each year graded against the model's other years: Year Score. See all BMW 7 Series years to avoid
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | power train |
| 2024 | 8 | 0 | service brakes |
| 2023 | 23 | 0 | service brakes |
| 2022 | 4 | 0 | electrical system |
| 2021 | 5 | 0 | wheels |
| 2020 | 5 | 0 | electrical system |
| 2019 | 4 | 0 | power train |
| 2018 | 16 | 0 | electrical system |
| 2017 | 24 | 0 | engine |
| 2016 | 25 | 1 | unknown or other |
| 2015 | 8 | 1 | engine |
| 2014 | 27 | 1 | air bags |
| 2013 | 42 | 1 | engine |
| 2012 | 97 | 2 | engine |
Complaint counts come from owner reports filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
2016 · air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactivecampaign 16V173000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 740Li, 750Li, and 750Lxi vehicles manufactured July 1, 2015, to December 11, 2015. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may randomly reset due to an electrical short circuit as a result of residual metallic particles from the manufacturing process.
2015 · exterior lightingcampaign 17V379000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2015 740i, 740Li, 740Lxi, 750i, 750xi, 750Li and 750Lxi and 2014 ActiveHybrid 7 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have received incorrect replacement left rear taillight assemblies. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
2014 · exterior lightingcampaign 17V379000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2015 740i, 740Li, 740Lxi, 750i, 750xi, 750Li and 750Lxi and 2014 ActiveHybrid 7 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have received incorrect replacement left rear taillight assemblies. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
2013 · exterior lightingcampaign 17V379000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2015 740i, 740Li, 740Lxi, 750i, 750xi, 750Li and 750Lxi and 2014 ActiveHybrid 7 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have received incorrect replacement left rear taillight assemblies. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
2012 · power train:driveline:constant velocity jointcampaign 17V067000
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. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.
2012 · engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/superchargercampaign 18V248000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
2011 · engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/superchargercampaign 18V248000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
2008 · service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuumcampaign 10V446000
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
2007 · engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fancampaign 12E029000
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
2007 · service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuumcampaign 10V446000
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
2006 · engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fancampaign 12E029000
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
2006 · service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuumcampaign 10V446000
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
2006 · suspension:rear:shock absorbercampaign 06V277000
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LOWER RUBBER MOUNT OF THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY NOT ADHERE CORRECTLY TO ITS HOUSING WITHIN THE SHOCK ABSORBER.
2005 · service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuumcampaign 10V446000
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
2004 · service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuumcampaign 10V446000
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
25 older recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Enthusiast code: G70
M760e Plug-in Hybrid xDrive
Plug-in hybrid · 612 hp · AWD · automatic
Built 2026