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2021 BMW 740LI problems

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
0
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
19

The worst 2021 BMW 740LI problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

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Recalls 5

Electrical system: starter assemblyReported September 25, 2025 · 145,102 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 340I, X6, 2020-2025 840I, 2020-2022 740LI, 2019-2020 X7, and X5 vehicles. After repeated attempts, the starter motor may overheat from an electrical overload.
Risk
An overheated starter motor can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. This recall includes vehicles repaired under recall 24V576 and those owners will need to have their vehicle repaired again. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on November 17, 2025.

Recall number 25V644000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulicReported February 10, 2021 · 893 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xdrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, and 2019-2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, and 2021 M3, M3 Competition, M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, X5 xDrive45e, 745 Le xDrive. The rotor and shaft within the integrated brake system may not have been welded properly and could separate during a hard braking event, possibly resulting in a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and braking assistance.
Risk
A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 21V062000 · Recall details

Power train: driveline: driveshaftReported February 3, 2021 · 28 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530i xDrive, 540i xDrive and 2021 740Li xDrive vehicles. The output shafts (left/right) which transfer power from the driveshaft to the rear wheels may break due to a heat treatment error during supplier production.
Risk
A broken output shaft can lead to a loss of drive power or a rollaway condition in a parked vehicle (if the parking brake is not engaged), increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the output shaft(s), free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 21V046000 · Recall details

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v batteryReported December 9, 2020 · 812 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 M340i xDrive, M440i xDrive Coupe, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator may not have been assembled properly, which can cause increased electrical resistance at the connections.
Risk
Increased electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator assembly, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 20V761000 · Recall details

Child seat: tether: connector/clipReported June 30, 2020 · 16 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 740Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive, M760Li xDrive, and Alpina B7 vehicles. The top child seat tether anchor on the rear middle seat may not be readily accessible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, Section 6.1(b) "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Risk
A child restraint system placed on the vehicle's rear middle seat without utilizing the three-point safety belt, could increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a top tether anchor cover at the rear middle seating position. Until vehicles are remedied, owners will be instructed to utilize the outboard rear seating positions which are equipped with an accessible top tether anchor, or, the middle rear seating position and the vehicle's three-point safety belt. The recall began August 20, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 20V379000 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 2021 BMW 740LI

Technical service bulletins for the 2021 BMW 740LI 19

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 19 bulletins for the 2021 BMW 740LI

Compare the 2021 BMW 740LI

Other model years

2011201220132014201520162022

Questions about the 2021 BMW 740LI

Is the 2021 BMW 740LI reliable?

Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2021 BMW 740LI.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 BMW 740LI?

There are not enough complaints to tell.

How many recalls does the 2021 BMW 740LI have?

5 recalls, covering electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic and power train.

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