The 2011 draws 1.5 complaints per run and the 2014 1, a 1.5-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 6 years of age, so 70.8% land after the 4-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Power Train, with 6 complaints, typically at 7.7 years.
BMW 740Li years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 3 | 3 | yes | |
| 2013 | 6 | 5 | yes | |
| 2012 | 5 | 5 | yes | |
| 2011 | 9 | 6 | yes |
Among the 4 BMW 740Li years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2011, 2013, 2012; the three worth hunting are 2014, 2012, 2013.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 4.2% | covered | |
| 1 year | 16.7% | covered | |
| 2 years | 20.8% | covered | |
| 3 years | 29.2% | covered | |
| 5 years | 33.3% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 54.2% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 66.7% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 79.2% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 87.5% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 4 years / 50,000 miles. Only 29.2% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 70.8% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (4 years / 50,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 46% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the BMW 740Li, the early trouble is Air Bags and Wheels — reported at around 0.5 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Power Train at 7.7 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 7.7 yrs | — | — | |
| Engine | 6.4 yrs | — | 1 | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 7 yrs | — | — | |
| Electrical System | 8.3 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Air Bags | 0.5 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Wheels | 2.5 yrs | — | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 yrs | — | — | |
| Structure | 10 yrs | — | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the 740Li's vehicle class. Per production run, the Dodge Charger draws 4.56, the Chrysler 300 4.11 and the Kia K5 3.08, against 1.2 for the 740Li. That is the fewest complaints of the group.
| Same class as the 740Li | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Charger | 133 | 1983–2026 | |
| Chrysler 300 | 86 | 1999–2026 | |
| Kia K5 | 21 | 2021–2026 | |
| Hyundai Sonata | 152 | 1989–2026 | |
| Chevrolet Impala | 98 | 1981–2026 | |
| Lincoln Continental | 80 | 1981–2026 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Alerts if a recall lands on a car in your garage
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Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW 740Li reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 1.2 against 3.73 for the average car, and fewer than each of the 3 class rivals we compared.
Which 740Li years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2011, 2013, 2012. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2014, 2012, 2013. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do 740Li problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 6 years of age. The most reported system is Power Train, typically at 7.7 years, followed by Engine.
Will the warranty cover 740Li problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 4 years / 50,000 miles, and only 29.2% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 46% of the complaints here.
Is the 740Li more reliable than the Dodge Charger?
Yes: 1.2 complaints per production run for the 740Li against 4.56 for the Dodge Charger.
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