NHTSA vehicle safety data

2006 BMW 750LI Recalls & Complaints

The 2006 BMW 750LI has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 216 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2006 BMW 750LI. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2006 BMW 750LI owner complaints

Owners have filed 216 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 BMW 750LI, describing incidents dated December 22, 2005 to February 15, 2025.

Most-cited components

Power Train 80 complaints
Air Bags 40 complaints
Latches/Locks/Linkages 34 complaints
Structure 26 complaints
Engine 23 complaints
Electrical System 22 complaints

Of the 216 complaints on file, 6 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 216 complaints, owners report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11708033 · Filed December 31, 2025
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 750Li. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the message "Transmission Fault - Drive Moderate" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the contact was advised that the vehicle…
ODI #11542182 · Filed September 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 750LI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the gear shifter independently shifted into park. The contact also stated that water was entering the trunk of the vehicle. The contact stated that the battery had been replaced twice. The vehicle was…
ODI #11504344 · Filed January 30, 2023
In 2009, we bought this 2006 BMW 750Li as pre-owned and certified warranty from BMW of Tenafly, New Jersey. We have registration address maintained in New Jersey, and have not updated, even though we moved to Chicago, Illinois in summer of 2011. BMW issued 6 recalls for 7-series manufactured between…

Read all 216 complaints

Owner-reported

2006 BMW 750LI mileage at failure

185 of the 216 complaints on file for the 2006 BMW 750LI give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Power Train	Median 85,000 miles	Middle half 65,000–115,000 miles	Based on 68 complaints
Air Bags	Median 90,000 miles	Middle half 70,000–100,000 miles	Based on 33 complaints
Latches/Locks/Linkages	Median 90,000 miles	Middle half 65,000–120,000 miles	Based on 30 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2006 BMW 750LI in 4 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA12-002: Vehicle Rollaway
Closed January 24, 2013
- Recall 12V-502
Preliminary Evaluation PE11-025: Vehicle Rollaway
Closed April 23, 2012
Engineering Analysis EA08-001: BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
Closed December 31, 2008
- Recall 08V-384
Preliminary Evaluation PE07-045: BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
Closed January 4, 2008

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Doors May Not Fully Latch

NHTSA #17V328000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages — Doors — Latch · NHTSA notice

Reported May 18, 2017 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 45,484 vehicles

Repair completion: 32.8% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified February 8, 2018 · Vehicles built August 23, 2004 – July 24, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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].

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Front Seat Occupant Protection Mat Defect

NHTSA #13V564000 · Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification · NHTSA notice

Reported November 12, 2013 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 76,565 vehicles

Repair completion: 45.89% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified August 29, 2014 · Vehicles built December 1, 2005 – September 29, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.

Safety consequence

Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Keyless Ignition System Vehicle Rollaway

NHTSA #12V502000 · Electrical System — Ignition — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported October 17, 2012 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 45,500 vehicles

Owners notified March 20, 2013 · Vehicles built August 23, 2004 – July 24, 2008 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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].

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Doors May Not Fully Latch

NHTSA #12V504000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages — Doors — Latch · NHTSA notice

Reported October 17, 2012 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 7,485 vehicles

Owners notified December 12, 2012 · Vehicles built August 23, 2004 – September 3, 2007 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 7-Series vehicles, equipped with both Comfort Access and Soft Close Automatic options, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through September 3, 2007. Due to a software problem, the doors may appear to be closed and latched, but, in fact, may inadvertently open.

Safety consequence

Manufacturer remedy

BMW will notify owners and dealers will update software. The recall began on December 12, 2012. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2006 BMW 750LI. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

216 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2006 BMW 750LI.

Power Train

ODI #11708033

Incident: February 15, 2025 · Filed: December 31, 2025

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 750Li. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the message "Transmission Fault - Drive Moderate" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the contact was advised that the vehicle would need to be kept over the weekend, but the contact declined. The vehicle was taken to Pep Boys, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 159,857.

Power Train; Electrical System; Structure

ODI #11542182

Incident: August 8, 2022 · Filed: September 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 750LI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the gear shifter independently shifted into park. The contact also stated that water was entering the trunk of the vehicle. The contact stated that the battery had been replaced twice. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Power Train; Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11504344

Incident: August 20, 2019 · Filed: January 30, 2023

In 2009, we bought this 2006 BMW 750Li as pre-owned and certified warranty from BMW of Tenafly, New Jersey. We have registration address maintained in New Jersey, and have not updated, even though we moved to Chicago, Illinois in summer of 2011. BMW issued 6 recalls for 7-series manufactured between 2005 and 2008. The recalls on manufacturer defects on electric and transmission in 2012 and 2013, and again in 2017. We missed all of the notices for these recalls. The vehicle was driven for less than 50,000 miles, from 2009 to 2019. The vehicle was inspected, and in good mechanical conditions, as well as body, since the vehicle has been garaged most of times. Since 2019, the vehicle has been in shops for repairs for electric and transmission and engine. It has been more than 3 years for our vehicle in the shops, and over $21,000 spent, there is no sign that the vehicle can be driven. Thus, we checked the online and found out the BMW recalls on this vehicle in 2012 and 2013. We called BMW Customer Relations & Services, multiple times. BMW denied the recalls. We checked with the attorneys, including the ones who filed class action suits against BMW with billion dollars win for the customers on BMW defects. All said BMW shall honor their recalls. Further, the recalls will never be expired. Now BMW has declined taking calls, responding email, and recently shifting the failing repair to a BMW dealer. What shall we do? We have sent letter to their legal department. A shop who tried to repair over 2 years reported to us that this 2006 BMW 750Li has a very bad reputation on electric and transmission. He said this is a common agreement among BMW dealers. Since BMW customer relations and services now shut us out, what department within BMW shall we go to. Shall we find an attorney for another class action suit, which occurred already? The consumer is requesting reimbursement of $21k for repairs made as well as payment made to purchase the vehicle.

Power Train; Electrical System; Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #11502144

Incident: July 10, 2019 · Filed: January 17, 2023

On Oct 29, 2012, BMW recalled its 7-Series luxury cars due to reports of transmission control problems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in the NHTSA campaign #12V502000 (power train and electric system) has caused at least 14 crashes and possibly 5 injuries, and in the NHTSA campaign #13V564000 (air bags). The recall involved 45,500 cars with model years from 2005 to 2008 that includes 2006 BMW 750LI. Our 2006 BMW 750LI’s VIN is WBAHN83586DT34592. Our purchase was from BMW of Tenafly, 301 County Road, Tenafly, NJ 07670 on 3/19/2009. Odometer reading at the time of the purchase is 45,450 miles. Sale price is $35,777.84. Our BMW 750LI was vocationally used, and mostly garaged, from 2009-2011, in New Jersey; and completely garaged, from 2011-2014, in New Jersey. The vehicle was vocationally used, from 2014-2019, in Chicago. Since 2019, the vehicle has been repaired in shops for electric and transmission failures: 3 years by Bridgeport Transmission (930 W 31st Street, Chicago, IL 60608, Tel 312 842-1887, Richard, the owner), and now already 6 months with Field BMW Northfield (700 Frontage Road, Northfield, IL 60093, Tel: 847-441-5300 x 8396, Chris Goodrich, the service advisor). Except for the electric and transmission issues, our vehicle is in wonderful condition. The body looks new. The current odometer reading is 92,000 miles. Since 2019, we have spent $1,500 for battery (as it was first suspected of the issue) by Field BMW Northfield, $6,500 for electric and transmission by Bridgeport Transmission, $650 for programming by a BMW dealership, and $5,350 for DSC control unit, and multiple tows 4 x $350 = $1,400. Total expenditure is $15,400. Currently, Field BMW Northfield asks additional $8,700 for transmission, but does not guarantee the vehicle can be repaired.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11485370

Incident: September 19, 2022 · Filed: September 19, 2022

The drivers side (soft close door) motor or components is malfunctioning and not closing. It’s making a grinding noise.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Engine

ODI #11477374

Incident: August 3, 2022 · Filed: August 3, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 750LI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, there was oil leaking onto the ground and also onto the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake vacuum pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

Power Train; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11403628

Incident: March 17, 2021 · Filed: March 18, 2021

THE TRANSMISSION IS VERY DANGEROUS, WHEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR IT WILL REV THE ENGINE HIGH, THEN JUMP INTO GEAR AND LUNGE FORWARD. IF STOPPED AT A LIGHT, IT WOULD DEFINITELY KILL SOMEONE, AND WHEN STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE GETTING REAR-ENDED. ON THIS DATE, THE TRANSMISSION LAUNCHING THE VEHICLE FORWARD ALMOST CAUSED A CASE OF WHIPLASH.

Power Train; Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11355444

Incident: August 19, 2020 · Filed: September 16, 2020

THE DOORS FROM INSIDE DON'T OPEN UP WHEN THE CAR LOSES POWER YOU ARE LOCKED INSIDE ALSO THE ENGINE SMOKES EVEN WHEN THE GASKETS AND SEALS HAVE BEEN REPLACED.THE CAR SUSPENSION IN THE REAR IS TERRIBLE ALSO AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF EVEN WHEN THE DEALER RAN DIAGNOSIS ON THE CAR CAR IS PARKED

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11355104

Incident: September 11, 2020 · Filed: September 15, 2020

MY VEHICLE HAS THIS WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST AFTER IT SITS FOR LIKE A FEW MINUTES. SMOKE DOES NOT COME OUT WHEN I'M DRIVING ONLY WHEN I SIT. SO IF I'M AT A RED LIGHT LONG ENOUGH IT WILL SMOKE. THIS JUST START HAPPENING OUT OF NOWHERE AND AFTER LOOKING IT UP EVERYBODY WHO HAS THESE CARS ALMOST HAVE THE SAME ISSUE.

Power Train; Structure; Latches/Locks/Linkages; Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Service Brakes

ODI #11331231

Incident: May 5, 2020 · Filed: June 27, 2020

CAR DOORS DO NOT LATCH DOORS FLY OPEN , CAR HAS ROLLED OUT OF PARK, BRAKES DO NOT ENGAGE RUFF STOPPING SEAT BELT LIGHTS ON ALL THE TIME. PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SEATS. *TR

Other BMW 750LI model years

Check your 2006 BMW 750LI VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 750LI at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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