BMW 740i Best and Worst Years (2012–2025)
For the BMW 740i, 2016 and 2023 are the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 75 and 92 out of 100. 2017 warrants caution (index 50), while 2018 stands out as the best year with an index of only 42 and no recalls.
- Model years
- 13
- 2012–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 51
- Recall campaigns
- 14
- Crashes reported
- 3
- Fires reported
- 0
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
740i Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
BMW 740i problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | No verdict | 33 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 20 | — |
| 2013 | No verdict | 83 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Airbags | 22 | — |
| 2014 | No verdict | 58 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | — | 22 | — |
| 2015 | No verdict | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 22 | — |
| 2016 | Avoid | 75 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 24 | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 50 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 23 | — |
| 2018 | Good | 42 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 23.5 | — |
| 2019 | No verdict | 100 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 23.5 | — |
| 2020 | No verdict | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 23.5 | — |
| 2021 | No verdict | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 24 | — |
| 2023 | Avoid | 92 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 9 | Brakes | 27 | — |
| 2024 | No verdict | 67 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | Brakes | 27.5 | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | — | 27.5 | — |
740i years to avoid: what went wrong
2023 BMW 740i Index 92 · 11 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2023 BMW 740i has the highest complaint index among avoid years at 92, driven largely by brakes, which account for 64% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 23,235. Nine recall campaigns were issued for this year, three specifically covering the integrated brake system, tied to a stability control and service brakes issue. Owners reported warning lights and brake pedal problems tied to these recalls, plus engine complaints describing rough idle, hesitation, and one report of unintended acceleration at low speed. Electrical and transmission issues were also reported at smaller shares.
2016 BMW 740i Index 75 · 12 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2016 BMW 740i carries a complaint index of 75, the fourth-highest of any year. Engine complaints make up 33% of reports for this year, followed by electrical system issues at 25%. Owners describe adaptive cruise control failing to detect or track vehicles ahead, requiring manual intervention to avoid collisions, and reported these issues at very low mileage, with a median of 1,339 miles for engine complaints. Electrical complaints centered on an erratic automatic park distance control system and audio systems freezing, also occurring around 1,296 miles median. No recalls were issued for this model year despite the complaint volume.
Most common BMW 740i problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Electrical System14 (27%)
- Engine14 (27%)
- Brakes10 (20%)
- Other6 (12%)
- Seat Belts5 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (8%)
- Structure & Body3 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (6%)
- Lane Departure2 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the BMW 740i should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2016 and 2023 BMW 740i are the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 75 and 92 respectively, the two highest among 13 model years with data.
- What is the best year for the BMW 740i?
- The 2018 BMW 740i has a 'Good' verdict with a complaint index of just 42, no recalls, and a high median failure mileage of 96,000, making it stand out among the 13 model years with data.
- Does the 2023 BMW 740i have a brake recall?
- Yes. The 2023 BMW 740i is covered by multiple 2024 recall campaigns for the integrated brake system, including campaigns 24V739000 and 24V697000, and brakes make up 64% of that year's complaints.
- Is the 2017 BMW 740i reliable?
- The 2017 BMW 740i carries a 'Caution' verdict with a complaint index of 50, lower than the 2016 and 2023 avoid years but still above several other model years.
- What is the most common problem area for the BMW 740i overall?
- Across all 13 model years, Electrical System and Engine complaints tie for the top problem area, each accounting for 27% of the 51 total complaints, followed by Brakes at 20%.