YearToAvoid

2009 BMW 750i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2009 BMW 750i has a complaint index of 67 and ranks 6th worst among 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 7 complaints, all engine-related, plus 1 recall for the auxiliary water pump; median mileage at failure is 68,600.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
67/100
#6 of 16 750i years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
7
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2011
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
17
15 city / 22 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2009 BMW 750i problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine7 (100%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain4 (57%)
  3. Fuel System1 (14%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (14%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Engine loses power or produces a drivetrain malfunction message during acceleration, sometimes at highway speed.
  • Smoke from the exhaust accompanies gear changes and a check engine light, pointing to an oil leak and internal engine damage.
  • Owners report high oil consumption, describing burning multiple quarts within a short driving period.
  • Engine runs rough and nearly stalls at various speeds, with dealers reportedly finding no fault despite repeat visits.
  • Oil consumption issues appear alongside rough running even after multiple dealer inspections.
2009 BMW 750i complaints: complaints filed per month1Mar 2018Apr 2018Apr 2019Jun 2019Jul 2020Oct 2020Nov 2020
7 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2018 to Nov 2020; peak Mar 2018 (1).

2009 BMW 750i recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V248000Apr 18, 2018Engine47,806 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

    Risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

2009 BMW 750i fuel economy and fuel cost

City
15 MPG
Highway
22 MPG
Combined
17 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,700
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.

2009 compared with other 750i years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’20’21
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2007Avoid10034418
2008Caution7317218
2009Caution677117
2010Avoid8710116.5
2011Good336116.5

All BMW 750i years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 BMW 750i reliable?
NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 67, ranking it 6th worst out of 16 model years for the 750i, with a Caution verdict. All 7 complaints filed involve the engine.
What problems does the 2009 BMW 750i have?
Owners report engine issues including oil leaks, high oil consumption, rough running, and loss of power, with a median mileage at failure of 68,600.
Does the 2009 BMW 750i have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (18V248000) covers the electric auxiliary water pump; BMW replaces it free of charge. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2009 750i compare to other years?
The 2009 model's complaint index of 67 is lower than the 2006, 2007, and 2010 model years, which are rated Avoid, but higher than the 2011, 2013, and 2016 model years, which are rated Good.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.