2008 BMW 750i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2008 BMW 750i has a complaint index of 73 and ranks 5th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Owners logged 17 complaints, led by Structure & Body issues (53%), with 2 recalls and no crashes, fires, or injuries reported.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 73/100
- #5 of 16 750i years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 17
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2008 BMW 750i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body9 (53%)
- Electrical System5 (29%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (29%)
- Airbags3 (18%)
- Seat Belts3 (18%)
- Engine1 (6%)
- Other1 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Doors, including the driver side door, have opened unexpectedly or failed to close due to a defective soft close automatic module.
- Owners waiting on the 17V328000 latch recall report that replacement parts were unavailable for an extended period.
- The transmission has shifted unexpectedly into park or neutral while driving or stopped, sometimes causing the engine to stall.
- Hard, jarring shifts between second and third gear occurred at low speeds around 20 mph, in one case with a shop recommending full transmission replacement at 85,000 miles.
- Airbag warning lights have illuminated intermittently, traced to a short in the airbag detection mat, a problem also seen on earlier 750i model years.
- Vehicles have failed to start along with the transmission warning light coming on at 100,000 miles.
2008 BMW 750i recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 17V328000May 18, 2017Structure & Body45,484 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2005-2008 745i, 745Li, 750i, 750Li, 760i, 760Li, and B7 Alpina vehicles equipped with both the Comfort Access and Soft Close Automatic options. In these vehicles, the doors may appear to be closed and latched, but, in fact, may inadvertently open.
Risk: The door may unexpectedly open due to road or driving conditions or occupant contact with the door. The sudden opening may result in occupant ejection or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the door latch system, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
- NHTSA 12V502000Oct 17, 2012Electrical System45,500 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition:switch
BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 7-Series vehicles, equipped with the Comfort Access option, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through July 24, 2008. The affected vehicles have an electronic key and an electronic connection between the gear shifter and the transmission (shift-by-wire) that automatically shifts the transmission to Park when the driver presses the Start/Stop button to shutdown the engine. If the driver presses the engine Start/Stop button 2 or 3 times within a short time interval, the system may shift the transmission to Neutral rather than Park. If using the electronic key (Comfort Access mode), there would be no protection from the ignition interlock that prevents key removal if the vehicle is not in Park.
Risk: If the driver exits the vehicle with the transmission in Neutral and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may rollaway. Unattended rollaway incidents often result in a crash or cause injury to pedestrians attempting to stop or enter the vehicle or to other bystanders in the path of the vehicle.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners beginning in November 2012. The remedy became available in March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
2008 BMW 750i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other 750i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 BMW 750i reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a Caution verdict for the 2008 750i, with a complaint index of 73 and 17 complaints, ranking 5th worst among 16 model years of the 750i.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW 750i?
- Structure & Body complaints make up 53% of reports, followed by Electrical System and Transmission & Powertrain issues, each at 29%. Median mileage at failure for structure and electrical issues was 105,000 miles.
- Does the 2008 BMW 750i have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2008 750i: one for door latch/soft close module issues (17V328000) and one for the Comfort Access electronic key system (12V502000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2008 750i compare to other years?
- The 2008 750i's complaint index of 73 is better than the 2006 and 2007 model years, which scored 93 and 100 and are rated Avoid, but worse than years like 2011 and 2013, which are rated Good.