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2012 BMW 740i
Limited data: few reports on file, read the verdict loosely
Too few owner complaints are on file to affirm this car. Treat it as unproven, and lean hard on a professional pre-purchase inspection.
6 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 26, 2026 · source: NHTSA
What the record shows so far
Only 6 owner complaints on file for this exact model year, too few to judge long-term reliability. Treat this as unproven, and lean on a professional inspection.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA crash-tested this model year but didn’t publish an overall star rating for it.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2012 BMW 740i, plotted where owners report it happening.
Engine
33%2 complaints
“LOW ENGINE OIL COMES ON EVERY FEW MONTHS AND I HAVE TO ADD OIL AT THAT TIME. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE OIL IS GOING BUT LEVEL IS DOWN TO MINIMUM. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON F…”
Seat belts
33%2 complaints
“ON OR ABOUT THE ABOVE DATE, I TRIED TO DRIVE MY NEW CAR IN 2 INCHES OF SNOW,UP A MODERATE GRADE. DESPITE THE TRACTION CONTROL AND HAVING BRAND NEW TIRES, THE VEHICLE W…”
Electrical system
17%1 complaints
“WE WERE TRAVELING I-75 SOUTH NEAR GAINESVILLE, FL., AND THE VEHICLE JUST SHUT DOWN. WE WERE IN THE FAST LANE AND HAD TO STRUGGLE TO STEER IT TO GET IT OFF THE HWY. LIG…”
Visibility & wipers
17%1 complaints
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 740I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN RESTING HIS LEFT KNEE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, HE WOULD INADVERTENTLY DEPRESS THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
Too few owners named a mileage on this model to place issues against an odometer yet.
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Power Train · 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.
Risk: If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this BMW before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2012 BMW 740i. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2012 BMW 740I beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2012? See how every 740i model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2012 BMW 740i against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.