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BMW 7 Series years to avoid, worst and best years

Owners have filed 124 complaints about the BMW 7 Series since 1995, and 8 recalls have been issued. The 2006 model year has 29 complaints, more than any other year, led by airbags and engine problems.

No year stands outAll years close to typical
Owner complaints
124
Recalls
8
Worst year
2006
Model years
1995-2012

BMW 7 Series years to avoid

No model year of the BMW 7 Series stands out with more than twice its typical number of complaints.

Best BMW 7 Series years

Not enough model years on the road yet to compare.

BMW 7 Series complaints by model year

Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.

1995200020052012

How we calculate this

Year to avoidFewest complaintsOther years

Most common BMW 7 Series problems

All model years combined.

  • Transmission
    20
  • Airbags
    20
  • Engine
    19
  • Brakes
    18
  • Fuel system
    12
  • Electrical
    11
  • Seats
    10
  • Body
    9
  • Seat belts
    5
  • Tires
    4
  • Locks
    4
  • Lights
    4

BMW 7 Series problems year by year

Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.

YearScoreComplaintsTop problemTypical mileageRecallsCrashes
2012-2Engine10
2011-3Engine10
2010-2Acceleration20
2009-9Engine75,00020
2008-11Airbags91,00012
2007-13Airbags110,00010
2006-29Airbags77,54720
2005-4Acceleration11
2004-28Brakes54,50040
2003-8Airbags100,85820
2002-4Brakes10
2001-2Engine00
2000-2Brakes00
1999-2Airbags01
1997-2Fuel system00
1996-1Brakes00
1995-2Body00

Recalls 8

See all 8 recalls for the BMW 7 Series

Questions about the BMW 7 Series

What years of the BMW 7 Series should you avoid?

No single model year of the BMW 7 Series has more than twice its typical number of owner complaints.

What is the best year for a used BMW 7 Series?

There are not enough model years on the road yet to compare.

What is the most common problem with the BMW 7 Series?

Transmission, with 20 complaints across all years, followed by airbags (20) and engine (19).

How many recalls does the BMW 7 Series have?

8 recalls between 1995 and 2012. The 2004 model year has the most, with 4.

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