Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2012 BMW 740i. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Rear CV Joints may Fail
- Summary
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.
- Consequence
- If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (4)
4 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1 | 25% |
| Engine | 1 | 25% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 25% |
| Seat belts | 1 | 25% |
| Seats | 1 | 25% |
| Visibility | 1 | 25% |
How 2012 compares with other 740i years
Best and worst 740i years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 8 | 0 |
| 1999 | 8 | 0 |
| 2000 | 12 | 1 |
| 2001 | 15 | 3 |
| 2012 | 4 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 | 1 |
| 2016 | 12 | 0 |
| 2017 | 7 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 20 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $4,100
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 444 g/mi
- EPA class
- Large Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 20 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2012 740i for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2012 BMW 740i FAQ
How many recalls does the 2012 BMW 740i have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 17V067000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2012 BMW 740i problems?
Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (1), Engine (1), Engine and engine cooling (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2012 BMW 740i get?
EPA rates the 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 17 city, 25 highway and 20 combined mpg.
How does the 2012 740i compare with other years?
Among the 1998–2017 BMW 740i model years at least five years old, the 2013 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2001 the most (15). The 2012 drew 4. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.