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2008 BMW 7 Series: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 94 owner complaints on file for the 2008 BMW 7 Series[1]. Three recalls apply to it, covering doors that can open on their own, a transmission that can slip into Neutral, and a brake vacuum pump that can leak oil[2][3][4].
Most reported problems
Of the 94 complaints, 5 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 7 an injury[1]. None report a death[1]. One complaint can name more than one part of the car, so the group counts below add up to more than the 94 total[1].
| Component group | Complaints | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|
| Power train[7] | 26 | 86,950 |
| Structure[8] | 21 | 83,925 |
| Latches, locks, linkages[9] | 20 | 95,500 |
| Electrical system[10] | 18 | 100,000 |
| Air bags[11] | 16 | 92,500 |
| Seat belts[12] | 9 | 81,000 |
| Engine[13] | 8 | 75,267 |
| Brakes[14] | 7 | 93,000 |
We read a small sample of complaint texts in the four biggest groups. These are themes in that sample, not a measure of all owners.
- Transmission and shifting. In a sample of 12 power train complaints, 10 describe transmission warning lights, hard shifts, hesitation, or the car jumping into Park or Neutral[7]. Four of the 12 also describe stalling[7]. Three mention recall 12V502 (covered below)[7]. Some owners say a dealer told them their car was not included, and one says the fault appeared after the recall service[7].
- Doors that will not latch. In a sample of 12 latch and lock complaints, 7 describe a door that opened while driving or would not latch after closing[9]. Three more describe owners who got the door recall notice but say repair parts were not available[9]. In a sample of 12 structure complaints, 11 are also about doors that will not close or latch, or a soft-close mechanism that stopped working[8].
- Starting and stalling. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints, 5 describe a car that will not start or that stalls[10]. Four are about door locks or latches, and 2 about a passenger seat sensor or air bag warning[10].
The sample does not tell us how often any of these faults happen across all cars.
Recalls
Three recalls are on file for this model year[5], newest first.
- Door latch (17V328). Filed May 18, 2017[2]. It covers certain 2005 to 2008 cars fitted with the Comfort Access option and the Soft Close Automatic option[2]. The doors may look closed and latched but can open on their own[2]. The risk is that a door opens from road conditions or contact, which could throw an occupant out or add to injuries in a crash[2]. The fix is a free door latch system update at a dealer[2]. The recall began February 8, 2018[2].
- Shift to Neutral (12V502). Filed October 17, 2012[3]. It covers 2005 to 2008 7-Series cars with Comfort Access built from August 23, 2004 through July 24, 2008[3]. If the driver presses the Start/Stop button 2 or 3 times quickly, the transmission may go to Neutral instead of Park, and in Comfort Access mode the interlock that blocks key removal outside Park gives no protection[3]. The car could then roll away and hurt bystanders or cause a crash[3]. BMW began notifying owners in November 2012, and the remedy became available in March 2013[3].
- Brake vacuum pump (10V446). Filed October 1, 2010[4]. It covers certain 2004 to 2010 5-Series and 6-Series cars and 2002 to 2008 7-Series cars[4]. A check valve in the brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of oil and, over time, contaminate the brake booster[4]. Power assist braking could weaken, and in extreme cases it could be lost entirely, which raises crash risk[4]. Dealers repair it free of charge, and the recall began November 24, 2010[4].
Before buying, ask for proof that each recall was completed. Not every owner in our sample could get a fix right away[9], so confirm the work was done.
Fuel economy
EPA rates the 750i and 750li at 15 city, 23 highway and 18 combined MPG[6][15]. Both have a 4.8L 8-cylinder engine, an Automatic (S6) and rear-wheel drive[6][15]. EPA's estimated annual fuel cost for each is $4,550[6][15]. The 760li has a 6.0L 12-cylinder engine and is rated 13 city, 20 highway and 15 combined MPG, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,500[16]. All three use premium fuel[6][15][16].
Safety ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 4-door rear-wheel-drive version: not rated[17]. That means there is no star score to compare, so recalls and complaints are the better guide here.
Engine and size
Engines per EPA: 4.8L 8-cylinder in the 750i and 750li, 6.0L 12-cylinder in the 760li[6][15][16]. The sizes below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada via NHTSA, converted to inches and pounds. They can differ slightly from US cars.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 750i[18] | 198 in | 75 in | 59 in | 118 in | 4,486 lb |
| 750Li[19] | 204 in | 75 in | 59 in | 123 in | 4,553 lb |
| 760Li[20] | 204 in | 75 in | 58 in | 123 in | 4,905 lb |
| Alpina B7[21] | 198 in | 75 in | 59 in | 118 in | 4,486 lb |
The Li versions are about 6 inches longer than the 750i, with a wheelbase 5 inches longer[18][19][20].
How 2008 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 26 | 5 |
| 1996 | 14 | 3 |
| 1997 | 26 | 3 |
| 1998 | 45 | 1 |
| 1999 | 21 | 2 |
| 2000 | 36 | 1 |
| 2001 | 49 | 3 |
| 2002 | 94 | 3 |
| 2003 | 97 | 4 |
| 2004 | 91 | 4 |
| 2005 | 49 | 4 |
| 2006 | 317 | 6 |
| 2007 | 127 | 5 |
| 2008 | 94 | 3 |
| 2009 | 26 | 3 |
| 2010 | 42 | 3 |
| 2011 | 60 | 2 |
| 2012 | 51 | 3 |
| 2013 | 24 | 2 |
| 2014 | 15 | 2 |
| 2015 | 4 | 2 |
| 2016 | 22 | 1 |
| 2017 | 11 | 0 |
| 2018 | 6 | 0 |
| 2019 | 4 | 2 |
| 2020 | 5 | 7 |
| 2021 | 5 | 7 |
| 2022 | 4 | 1 |
| 2023 | 23 | 11 |
| 2024 | 6 | 6 |
| 2025 | 2 | 3 |
The 2008 model year has 94 complaints and 3 recalls[5]. Three years have more complaints: 2003 with 97, 2007 with 127 and 2006 with 317[5]. The 2002 model year has the same 94[5]. Recall counts by model year vary from 0 to 11, and Recall counts by model year vary from 0 to 11, and 2008's 3 recalls is typical of the years listed[5].[5]. 2006 has 6 and 2007 has 5, while 2009, 2010 and 2012 each also have 3[5].
Every year from 2009 on has 60 or fewer complaints, and 2009 has 26[5]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide within this one model.
Should you buy a used 2008 7 Series?
The record is mixed. The sample we read points to door latches and transmission faults[1][7][9]. All three recalls involve safety risks, so confirm each was done before you buy[2][3][4]. Ask whether the car has Comfort Access and Soft Close doors, and test the doors and the shifter. Fuel costs run $4,550 to $5,500 a year by EPA's estimate[6][16], and our data does not cover repair costs, so get a pre-purchase inspection.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW 7 Series?
- Power train has the most complaints at 26, followed by structure at 21 and latches, locks and linkages at 20[7][8][9]. In the complaint samples we read, owners describe transmission faults and doors that will not latch[7][9].
- Does the 2008 BMW 7 Series have any recalls?
- Yes, three: a door latch recall (17V328), a shift to Neutral recall (12V502) and a brake vacuum pump recall (10V446)[2][3][4].
- What is the gas mileage of a 2008 BMW 750i?
- EPA rates it at 15 city, 23 highway and 18 combined MPG[6]. The 760li is rated 13, 20 and 15[16].
- Is the 2008 BMW 7 Series reliable?
- NHTSA has 94 complaints for this year and 3 recalls[1][5]. Complaints do not measure reliability by themselves, since they are not adjusted for sales.
- How does the 2008 7 Series compare with other years?
- It has fewer complaints than 2006 (317), 2007 (127) and 2003 (97), the same as 2002 (94), and more than any year from 2009 on[5].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 94 owner complaints on file for the 2008 BMW 7 Series (5 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 17V328, filed May 18, 2017: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 12V502, filed October 17, 2012: Electrical System › Ignition › Switch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 10V446, filed October 1, 2010: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum. NHTSA recall database
- Owner complaints and recalls for every BMW 7 Series model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for 750i, 4.8L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 26 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,950). NHTSA vehicle records
- 21 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,925). NHTSA vehicle records
- 20 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 16 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 92,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the seat belts component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 81,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,267). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 93,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for 750li, 4.8L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for 760li, 6.0L 12-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 20 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 7 SERIES 750i 4DR SEDAN RWD: length 198 in, width 75 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 118 in, curb weight 4,486 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 7 SERIES 750Li 4DR SEDAN RWD: length 204 in, width 75 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 123 in, curb weight 4,553 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 7 SERIES 760Li 4DR SEDAN RWD: length 204 in, width 75 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 123 in, curb weight 4,905 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 7 SERIES ALPINA B7 SEDAN RWD: length 198 in, width 75 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 118 in, curb weight 4,486 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov