YearToAvoid

2012 BMW 750Li Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2012 BMW 750Li has 24 complaints and a Complaint Index of 64, ranking 6th worst of 15 model years. Its verdict is Caution, driven mainly by engine problems (67% of complaints) and one recall for the auxiliary water pump.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
64/100
#6 of 15 750Li years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
24
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2014
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
16.5
14 city / 21 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2012 BMW 750Li problems

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

  1. Engine16 (67%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain6 (25%)
  3. Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (21%)
  4. Electrical System4 (17%)
  5. Other3 (13%)
  6. Steering2 (8%)
  7. Airbags1 (4%)
  8. Brakes1 (4%)
  9. Fuel System1 (4%)

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

What owners report

  • Engine compartment fires have started while the car sat parked in a garage or lot, in some cases hours after the last drive.
  • Owners report high oil consumption requiring frequent top-offs.
  • While driving around 35 mph, the check engine and powertrain warning lights have come on along with shaking and white smoke from the rear of the vehicle.
  • Front tires have developed bubbles after hitting bumps, and rear wheel rims have cracked without visible tire damage.
  • At around 45 mph the front end has vigorously shaken and the vehicle failed to accelerate past 50 mph while the thermostat read 250 degrees.
  • An airbag has deployed while driving at 30 mph with no impact or warning, causing loss of vehicle control.
2012 BMW 750Li complaints: complaints filed per month2Aug 2012Mar 2015Mar 2016Aug 2016Mar 2019Feb 2020Nov 2020
24 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2012 to Nov 2025; peak Apr 2016 (2).

2012 BMW 750Li 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.

2012 BMW 750Li fuel economy and fuel cost

City
14 MPG
Highway
21 MPG
Combined
16.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,850
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.

2012 compared with other 750Li years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’19’20’21
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Avoid7930116.5
2011Caution7125116.5
2012Caution6424116.5
2013Caution509119
2014Good436119

All BMW 750Li years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 BMW 750Li reliable?
NHTSA lists 24 complaints for the 2012 750Li, giving it a Complaint Index of 64 and a Caution verdict relative to other 750Li model years. Engine problems make up 67% of the complaints.
Does the 2012 BMW 750Li have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (campaign 18V248000) covers the electric auxiliary water pump; BMW dealers replace it free of charge. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
What is the most common problem on the 2012 BMW 750Li?
Engine issues are the top problem area, accounting for 16 of 24 complaints (67%), with a median mileage at failure of 59,500 miles.
How does the 2012 750Li compare to other years?
It ranks 6th worst out of 15 model years by Complaint Index. Years like 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2010 have higher indexes and Avoid verdicts, while 2013 and 2014 have lower indexes.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 BMW 750Li?
EPA rates it at 16.5 mpg combined (14 city / 21 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,850.

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.