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2015 BMW 7 Series problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2015 BMW 7 Series has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 1safety recall
- 6owner complaints
- 0crash reports
- 1fire report
- 16%fail the UK MOT
6 complaints, against an average of 15 for the other 12 BMW 7 Series model years.
Every BMW 7 Series model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2015 BMW 7 Series?
The components named most often in the 6 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
Has the 2015 BMW 7 Series been recalled?
1 U.S. safety recall. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Exterior Lighting 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.
Is the 2015 BMW 7 Series recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAReplace the Engine Starter Motor
Risk: For affected vehicles there is a concern involving water ingress and corrosion to the starter motor for where a short circuit cannot be ruled out. It is strongly recommended to park the vehicle outdoors and not in the immediate vicinity of buildings until the repair has been carried out.
Fix: Replacement of the starter motor.
UK DVSAIn rare cases the starter motor can inadvertently be activated permanently presenting a risk of a thermal event
Risk: In rare cases the starter motor can inadvertently be activated permanently presenting a risk of a thermal event.
Fix: Rework the starter motor assembly.
UK DVSAUndetected EGR System leaks may cause thermal activity in the intake manifold
Risk: Undetected EGR System leaks may cause thermal activity in the intake manifold.
Fix: The engine management control unit (DDE) will be programmed with improved software incorporating the latest OBD functionality.
UK DVSAThe exhaust gas recirculation cooler may leak over time and cause thermal incident
Risk: The Exhaust Gas Recirculation cooler may leak over time and cause thermal incident.
Fix: On the affected vehicles the EGR cooler module will be replaced.
UK DVSAThe exhaust gas recirculation cooler could leak over time
Risk: Leaking glycol coolant could create in combination with soot and oil sediments in the EGR module ignitable deposits.
Fix: The EGR cooler will be internally inspected with an endoscope and replaced if evidence of leaking is found.
UK DVSAExhaust gas recirculation module cooler could leak
Risk: The EGR cooler may leakpresenting a fire risk
Fix: A visual inspection of the EGR cooler to check for leaks and excessive build-up of deposits. The EGR cooler will be replaced on all affected vehicles
UK DVSAExhaust gas recirculation cooler could potentially leak over time
Risk: The EGR cooler may leakpresenting a fire risk.
Fix: The EGR cooler will be replaced with an improved version.
UK DVSAAirbag may not function as intended
Risk: Due to vibrations particles inside the airbag control unit may cause a short circuit. This may reset the control module illuminating the airbag warning lamp and prevent the airbag(s) from acting as intended during a collision.
Fix: On affected vehicle replace the airbag control unit.
EU Safety GateWater may enter the starter motor and cause damage.As a result, the engine may no longer start, or the starter motor may short-circuit or remain continuously activated. This could cause local overheating of the starter motor or thermal overload of surrounding components and lead to a vehicle fire, including when the ignition is switched off.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 31/08/2026
EU Safety GateWater may come into contact with the starter relay and gradually cause corrosion.This could affect the electrical connection inside the relay and make the engine difficult to start. It may also result in a short circuit and could cause the starter to overheat leading to a fire when the vehicle is in motion or when it is parked with the ignition off.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe crimping of the engine oil cooler line may be defective and lead to the hose detaching while the vehicle is being driven, which could…The crimping of the engine oil cooler line may be defective and lead to the hose detaching while the vehicle is being driven, which could lead to leakage of engine oil into the engine compartment, onto the road or onto the brake discs. Oil on a brake disc could lead to critical driving conditions, particularly at higher speeds.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 10/04/2017
EU Safety GateThere might be a metallic stamping residue inside the housing of the airbag control unit.In case of a crash, it might come into contact with the circuit board and cause a short circuit. As a result, the airbags would not deploy, thus increasing the risk of injury to the occupants.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateOwing to a process error with the engine assembly, the chain tensioner may not have been tightened to specification, resulting in damage…Owing to a process error with the engine assembly, the chain tensioner may not have been tightened to specification, resulting in damage to the chain tensioner. In the worst case the chain tensioner may break and result in a large-scale oil leak, which may cause a potential risk for other road users.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Other; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2015 BMW 7 Series fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2015, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2015 BMW 7 Series owners report?
6 of the 6 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 750LI. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle shutoff. The contact stated that the drivetrain malfunction message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a voltage malfunction and that the radiator pump, Oxygen sensor, hose inlet gasket ring, and hose clamp needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
While stopped at light car will shut off. You have to restart
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER A FAILURE WITH THEIR AC UNIT, THEY HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR THE AC. SHORTLY AFTER, WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, WHEN THEY BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THEY NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY NOTICED THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE AND A BYSTANDER WHO WAS A FIRE FIGHTER ASSISTED IN EXTINGUISHING THE FLAMES BY USING WATER AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. A FIRE REPORT WAS MADE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SURE IF THE VEHICLE WAS OFFICIALLY DEEMED TOTALED. THERE WERE NO…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW 740LD. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V755000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BMW OF ANNAPOLIS (31 OLD MILL BOTTOM RD, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401, (410) 349-9312) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR
INABILITY TO OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AFTER THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. I WAS INFORMED THAT IT MAY REPRESENT A FAILURE OF THE DOOR ACTUATOR. TO BE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY IS UNACCEPTABLE. THEY CLAIM THAT THE PROBLEM CAN OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY BEFORE COMPLETE FAILURE AND MAY NOT BE DETECTED BY THEIR DIAGNOSTICS. IT IS NOT A COVERED PART OR REPAIR DESPITE BEING A SAFETY ISSUE IN A VEHICLE UNDER THE ORIGNAL MANUFACTURER WARRANTY AND LIKELY REPRESENTS AN INTRINSIC DEFECT IN A VEHICLE WITH 32,000 MILES.
DUE TO RAIN IN SAN DIEGO, THE BMW 740I INTAKE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT BUMPER INJESTED WATER IN A NORMAL DRIVING SITUATION AND THE MOTOR EXPLODED.
2015 BMW 7 Series: questions owners ask
Is the 2015 BMW 7 Series reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 BMW 7 Series; the most common categories were engine (3, 50%), engine and engine cooling (2, 33.3%), electrical system (1, 16.7%). There is 1 safety recall. 1 mentions a fire.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 BMW 7 Series?
Across 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (50% of complaints), engine and engine cooling (33.3% of complaints), electrical system (16.7% of complaints), power train (16.7% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2015 BMW 7 Series have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2015 BMW 7 Series; the most recent (campaign 17V379000, 2017-06-14) concerns Exterior Lighting. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check your own 7 Series
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2015 only; combines NHTSA's entries for 740I, 740LD XDRIVE, 740LI, 740LI XDRIVE, 740LXI, 750LI and 750LI XDRIVE.