The BMW 740Li spans 2011–2022 with 8 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 3.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2011, 2013, 2012 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2022, 2015, 2014. It delivers up to 22 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The BMW 740Li is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2011 to 2022 across multiple generations.
How to read a BMW 740Li VIN — every digit explained
Every BMW 740Li carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a BMW and the country it was built in (real BMW codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this 740Li.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- Germany3MF · 3MW · 5UM · WAP · WB1 · WB3
- USA4US · 5UX · 5YM
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your 740Li, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the BMW 740Li have?
The BMW 740Li has 8 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2011–2022. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2022 BMW 740Li recalls 1
Electrical System:starter Assembly
What's 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.
Fix. 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 NHTSA.gov November 17, 2025.
2015 BMW 740Li recalls 1
Exterior Lighting
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2015 740i, 740Li, 740Lxi, 750i, 750xi, 750Li and 750Lxi and 2014 ActiveHybrid 7 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have received incorrect replacement left rear taillight assemblies. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk. Vehicles with the incorrect left rear lamp assemblies may be less conspicuous to other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect left rear taillight assemblies, free of charge. The recall began August 11, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2014 BMW 740Li recalls 1
Exterior Lighting
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2015 740i, 740Li, 740Lxi, 750i, 750xi, 750Li and 750Lxi and 2014 ActiveHybrid 7 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have received incorrect replacement left rear taillight assemblies. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk. Vehicles with the incorrect left rear lamp assemblies may be less conspicuous to other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect left rear taillight assemblies, free of charge. The recall began August 11, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2013 BMW 740Li recalls 1
Exterior Lighting
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2015 740i, 740Li, 740Lxi, 750i, 750xi, 750Li and 750Lxi and 2014 ActiveHybrid 7 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have received incorrect replacement left rear taillight assemblies. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk. Vehicles with the incorrect left rear lamp assemblies may be less conspicuous to other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect left rear taillight assemblies, free of charge. The recall began August 11, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2012 BMW 740Li recalls 1
Power Train:driveline:constant Velocity Joint
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Best and worst years for the BMW 740Li
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 6 tracked years, the worst years are 2011, 2013, 2012 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2022, 2015, 2014.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 740Li | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 2012 740Li | Power Train | Avoid | |
| 2013 740Li | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2014 740Li | Wheels | Best | |
| 2015 740Li | Engine | Best | |
| 2022 740Li | — | Best |
What are the most common BMW 740Li problems?
The most-reported BMW 740Li problems are Engine (8 reports), Wheels (3 reports) and Air Bags (3 reports) — out of 32 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
BMW 740Li specifications & dimensions
The 2013 BMW 740Li measures 205″ long on a 126″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 4,350 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the BMW 740Li window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 205″ | 75″ | 58″ | 126″ | 4,350 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
BMW 740Li cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the 740Li holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 115 cu ft of passenger volume and 18 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
BMW 740Li tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the BMW 740Li get?
The BMW 740Li returns up to 22 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $3,500/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2015 BMW 740Li (3L 6-cyl) gets 22 mpg combined and costs about $3,500/yr to fuel, emitting 396 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 5/10, smog 6/10) — about $6,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 740Li | 19 | 28 | $3,500 | 396 | 6/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2014 740Li | 19 | 28 | $3,500 | 398 | 6/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2013 740Li | 19 | 28 | $3,500 | 402 | 6/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2012 740Li | 17 | 25 | $3,850 | 444 | 6/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2011 740Li | 17 | 25 | $3,850 | 444 | 6/10 | 3L 6-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the 740Li stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this 740Li's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the BMW 740Li have? Power & range
The BMW 740Li is offered with 1 powertrain — 3L 6-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.0L · 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a BMW 740Li cost to own?
A used BMW 740Li sells for a median of about $14,995 for a 2015 — most listed between $8,500 and $14,995, from 47 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 740Li | $8,500–$14,995 | 13 | |
| 2014 740Li | $5,400–$8,995 | 5 | |
| 2013 740Li | $8,400–$12,999 | 25 | |
| 2012 740Li | $5,900–$10,999 | 4 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a 740Li is worth today, or browse used-market prices for sedans.
A BMW 740Li tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this 740Li loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $17,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the 740Li ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a BMW 740Li to insure?
A BMW 740Li costs about $4,458 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 210% above the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (310, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the 740Li's HLDI loss index. See BMW insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the BMW 740Li safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the 740Li yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a BMW 740Li last?
A well-maintained BMW 740Li typically lasts 200,000–250,000 miles. With regular oil, transmission and timing service, most examples comfortably pass the 200,000-mile mark. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 3.5/5.
Check your BMW 740Li’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this 740Li’s VIN free →All BMW 740Li model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the BMW 740Li — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 740Li | 1 recall | — | |
| 2015 740Li | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2014 740Li | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2013 740Li | 1 recall | — | |
| 2012 740Li | 1 recall | — | |
| 2011 740Li | 1 recall | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the 740Li?
By owner-complaint volume, 2011, 2013, 2012 drew the most reports. 2022, 2015, 2014 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the 740Li have?
8 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2011–2022. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all BMW recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the 740Li get?
Up to 22 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a 740Li last?
A well-maintained 740Li typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the 740Li reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the 740Li is 3.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the BMW 740Li warranty?
New BMW models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a BMW dealer.
Where is the BMW 740Li made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your 740Li's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; BMW may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the 740Li have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.