7 NHTSA safety recalls cover the BMW 740LI, across model years 2012–2022. Every recall repair is free at any BMW dealer.
Is yours affected? Check your 740LI by VIN — or pick your model year below for every recall, complaint and fix.
Recalls and owner complaints by model year
Of the BMW 740LI model years, the 2011 drew the most owner complaints (11).
Recalls: NHTSA campaigns covering each BMW 740LI model year on this page. Complaints: owner reports filed with NHTSA for that model year, including trims and variants sold under the model name (e.g. an F-150 page counts F-150 Raptor). Separate scales: compare the shape, not the heights across panels.
| Model year | Recalls | Owner complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 0 | 11 |
| 2012 | 1 | 5 |
| 2013 | 1 | 7 |
| 2014 | 1 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 | 1 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | 3 | 0 |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 | 4 |
What these recalls fix, grouped by the vehicle system NHTSA files them under:
BMW is recalling 2020 X5 vehicles with overheated starter motors that could ignite engine compartment materials, risking fire. Owners must have starter motor replaced free by dealers.
BMW recalls 2020-2021 X5 models with potential brake system failure. A faulty brake system may cause loss of ABS and braking assistance, increasing crash risk. Owners receive free replacement.
BMW is recalling certain 2021 X5 models due to potential fire risk from improper electrical connections. Affected vehicles may need a free battery and starter-generator repair by dealers starting April 12, 2021.
BMW recalls 2020 Z4s with back-up camera display issues that may increase crash risk. Owners must update software to prevent rear view image from disappearing.
BMW recalls 2015 740Li vehicles with incorrect left rear taillight assemblies that may be less conspicuous, increasing crash risk. Owners must have vehicles inspected and corrected free by dealers.
When the BMW 740LI recalls were issued, by year — a cluster usually means one defect recalled in stages or across a platform.
Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the BMW 740LI; the most reported area is electrical system. These are reports, not recalls: they are how NHTSA spots defects.
We have 7 NHTSA safety recalls on record for the BMW 740LI, covering model years 2012–2022. The most recent was issued Sep 25, 2025 (Electrical System).
The 2021 BMW 740LI has the most, with 3 recalls on record. Every model year with a recall is listed on this page with links to each one.
By system: Electrical System (2), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (1), Back Over Prevention (1), Exterior Lighting (1).
None of these recalls carries an NHTSA do-not-drive or park-outside warning, but each fixes a safety defect, so book the free repair promptly.
Run a VIN recall check: enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact year, then confirm at NHTSA.gov which are still unrepaired on your vehicle. Any BMW dealer can also look it up.
Yes. Federal law requires BMW to fix safety recalls free of charge at any authorized BMW dealer, regardless of the vehicle’s age or how many owners it has had.