2007 BMW 650i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2007 BMW 650i ranks worst among 10 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 22 complaints. Airbags and electrical system issues each account for 23% of complaints, and NHTSA logged 4 fire reports and 1 death tied to this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 10 650i years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 22
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Airbags
Top 2007 BMW 650i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags5 (23%)
- Electrical System5 (23%)
- Brakes3 (14%)
- Engine3 (14%)
- Seat Belts3 (14%)
- Steering3 (14%)
- Structure & Body2 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (9%)
- Other1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in a crash, with owners reporting a factory defect and one case involving severe injury and a death.
- Seat warmers overheated and burned through the seat, filling the cabin with smoke.
- Positive wiring and wire harnesses caught fire while the vehicle was parked or being driven, sometimes tied to a glowing-hot wire.
- Brake systems lost assist or failed to respond, with warning lights illuminating and brake fluid leaking, in one case traced to a failed brake booster.
- The steering wheel lock intermittently malfunctioned, preventing the car from starting until the wheel was tugged for several minutes.
- A light module caught fire and produced smoke inside the cabin.
2007 BMW 650i recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 07V479000Oct 12, 2007Engine29,250 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling
On certain vehicles equipped with v8 engines, in conditions of below freezing temperatures combined with low humidity, it is possible for electrostatic discharge to occur at the fuel rails. If this were to occur, the engine electronic control unit (ecu) could be affected so that engine stalling could result.
Risk: If stalling were to occur, the driver may not be able to maintain vehicle speed or accelerate and the power steering could fail increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will attach two ground cables in the engine compartment free of charge. The recall began on october 29, 2007. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
2007 compared with other 650i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2007 BMW 650i reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2007 650i ranks worst of 10 model years, with a complaint index of 100, the highest in the lineup, and a verdict of Avoid relative to other 650i years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2007 BMW 650i?
- Airbags and the electrical system are tied as the top problem areas, each making up 23% of complaints. Brakes, engine, seat belts, and steering each account for 14%.
- Does the 2007 BMW 650i have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA recall 07V479000 covers V8 engines where electrostatic discharge at the fuel rails could occur in freezing, low-humidity conditions. The remedy is grounding cables attached to the engine compartment; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
- Were there any fires or injuries reported?
- NHTSA complaints for the 2007 650i include 4 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 1 death, along with 1 crash tied to an airbag non-deployment.
- How does the 2007 650i compare to other years?
- The 2007 model has the highest complaint index (100) of the years with data, worse than 2006 (78) and 2012 (89), which are also rated Avoid.