Recalls: BMW F01/F02 7-Series
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: BMW F01/F02 7-Series
2008-09 BMW F01/F02 730d and 730Ld: potential fire
In September 2011, a recall was issued for BMW F01/F02 7-Series models with turbo-diesel engines that were available for sale from 20 August 2008 to 12 June 2009. In these vehicles, moisture may enter the diesel fuel filter heater at the electric contacts, causing the heater to short circuit – this could result in the short-term discharge of the starter battery such that the vehicle may not start. However, the short-circuit could also lead to an engine fire when the vehicle was switched off. Note that the diesel fuel filter heat unit only operated at temperatures below -1 degree Celsius (PRA 2011/13091).
2009-11 BMW F01/F02 750i, 750Li and 760Li: potential fire
In November 2011, a recall was issued for BMW F01/F02 7-Series models with 4.4- and 6.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engines that were available for sale prior to February 2011. In these vehicles, fuel additives in plastic components in the additional coolant pump for the exhaust turbocharger may cause electromigration on the PCB (printed circuit board). As a result, the coolant pump may short circuit – this could also cause overheating and scorching on the coolant pump and a possible fire in the engine compartment (PRA 2012/13086).
2009 BMW F01/F02 730d and 730Ld: potential fire
In August 2013, a recall was issued for BMW F01 and F02 7-Series vehicles with turbo-diesel engines that were available for sale from 1 August 2009 to 30 November 2009. In these vehicles, an internal short-circuit may occur in the area of the electric contacts of the diesel fuel filter heating unit. At worst, an electrical short-circuit may occur in the diesel fuel filter heater which could could a vehicle fire. Please note, however, that the diesel fuel filter heater unit only operated at temperatures below -1 degree Celsius. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2013/13591.
2009-12 BMW F01/F02 7-Series 740i and 740Li: VANOS oil leak and ‘limp home’ mode
In June 2014, a recall was issued for BMW F01/F02 7-Series vehicles that had N51, N52 or N55 six-cylinder petrol engines and were available for sale from 1 October 2009 to 30 April 2012. In these vehicles, the bolted connection on the housing of the variable valve timing unit (VANOS) adjustment units could become loose. If this occurred, the units may develop an internal oil leak and then no longer adjust quickly enough due to the reduced oil pressure. The vehicle’s emergency engine mode would then be activated and the engine warning light would illuminate to warn the driver. If the vehicle was being driven and slowed down or stopped unexpectedly, it would pose an accident hazard to the driver and other road users (PRA 2014/14160).
2012 BMW F01/F02 7-Series: front seatbelt pre-tensioners and airbags may not deploy
In December 2016, a recall was issued for BMW F01/F02 7-Series vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012. If these vehicles were involved in a frontal or rear-end collision, collision data may not be correctly evaluated by the vehicle’s central airbag sensor. As a result, passive restraint systems such as the front airbags and seatbelt tensioners may not be activated, increasing the risk of injury for the occupants. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2016/15783.
Problems and faults: BMW F01/F02 7-Series
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
2009-14 BMW F01/F02 740i, 740Li, 750i and 750Li: ‘Service Engine Soon’, ‘Drivetrain Malfunction’ and VANOS faults
In September 2014, BMW North America issued Service Bulletin SI B12 26 14 for BMW F01/F02 740i, 740Li, 750i and 750Li vehicles that were manufactured prior to July 2014. These vehicles may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Illumination of the ‘Service Engine Soon’ warning (Malfunction Indicator Light);
- The engine may enter a reduced power mode with the ‘Drivetrain Malfunction’ message displayed; and,
- One or more VANOS faults may be stored in the DME, even though the engine is mechanically sound and no unusual noises can be heard from the VANOS area. These VANOS faults related to implausible camshaft position (intake or exhaust), the camshaft stuck situation, or the camshaft angle offset relative to the crankshaft being outside the tolerance range.
According to the service bulletin, these symptoms could be due to unfavourable Engine Position Management (EPM) parameters in the DME software. The service bulletin recommended test plans be performed using BMW’s ISTA/D diagnostics system and any VANOS hardware issues were to be corrected. After performing repairs, or if the ISTA test plan was inconclusive, the vehicle’s DME software was to be re-programmed with the latest version of ISTA/P. If further VANOS control faults occurred after the DME software was updated, further diagnosis would be required to identify its cause.
2008-12 BMW F01 750i, F02 750Li and ActiveHybrid7: oil consumption and rough running
In November 2012, BMW issued Service Information Bulletin SI B11 07 12 for BMW F01 750i, F02 750Li and F04 ActiveHybrid7 vehicles that had N63 engines. According to the technical bulletin, the N63 engine may:
- Consume oil above its permitted specification;
- Run rough; and,
- White or blue smoke may be emitted from the exhaust.
The technical bulletin attributed these symptoms to engine compartment temperatures making the construction material of the crankcase ventilation connection lines and vent pipes brittle.
For BMW F01 750i, F02 750Li and F04 ActiveHybrid7 vehicles produced prior to January 2011, the crankcase ventilation connecting lines and vent pipes were to be replaced. For vehicles produced after January 2011, the crankcase ventilation connecting lines and vent pipes were to be inspected and, if loose, secured.
2008-12 BMW F01 750i, F02 750Li and ActiveHybrid7: engine oil pump volume control valve leaks
In August 2012, BMW issued Service Information Bulletin SI B11 08 12 for 2008-12 BMW F01 750i, F02 750Li and F04 ActiveHybrid7 vehicles that had N63 engines. According to the technical bulletin, the engine oil pump volume control valve gasket seal ring may leak engine oil due as a result of damage to the seal ring during assembly. To fix,
- The engine oil pump volume control valve was to be removed;
- The engine oil pump volume control valve gasket seal ring (part number 07 11 9 963 473) was to be replaced; and,
- The oil pump volume control valve was to be reinstalled.
2011 BMW F01 750i, F02 750Li and F04 ActiveHybrid7: N63 high-pressure fuel pump failure
In July 2015, BMW issued Service Information Bulletin SI B13 02 15 for BMW F01 750i, F02 750Li and F04 ActiveHybrid7 models that were produced from 1 January 2011 to 1 December 2011. According to the service bulletin, the high-pressure fuel pump quantity control valve could fail and this would cause:
- Reduced engine output; and,
- An engine malfunction warning.
To fix, both high-pressure fuel pumps were to be replaced.
2009-12 BMW F01 750i, F02 750Li and ActiveHybrid7: N63 Customer Care Package
In January 2015, BMW issued Service Information Bulletin SI B11 06 14 for
- BMW F01 750i and F02 750Li vehicles produced from March 2009 to June 2012; and,
- BMW F04 ActiveHybrid7 vehicles produced from April 2010 to June 2012
that were powered by the N63B44O0 engine. This technical bulletin described the ‘N63 Customer Care Package’ which consisted of a six point check and, if necessary, the replacement of one or more of the following powertrain components:
- Hot-film air mass sensors;
- High-pressure piezo fuel injectors;
- Engine vacuum pump;
- Fuel system low pressure sensor/feed line;
- Fresh air intake turbo seals; and,
- Crankcase ventilation lines (hoses).
Issued in May 2015, Service Information Bulletin SI B11 16 14 advised that the engine timing chains should be checked for wear in conjunction with the N63 Customer Care Package. To avoid future valvetrain wear, the ECU was to be re-programmed and a shorter oil service interval (12 months/10,000 kilometres, previously 2 years/15,000 kilometres) was to be introduced via ISTA/P. Finally, the engine oil and filter were to be replaced.
Service Information Bulletin SI B11 06 14 also advised that Service Information Bulletin SI B61 30 14 (12 volt battery replacement) should also be performed if applicable. For vehicles that had undergone the N63 Customer Care Package, a service action label with the code ‘721’ was to be attached to the A-pillar.
The above inspections and replacements were to be performed at no cost to the owner, while the ‘N63 Customer Loyalty Offer’ provided incentives for owners affected by the campaign to trade-in their N63-powered vehicle.
BMW F01/F02 7-Series: other problems and faults
- For turbocharged models, the ‘check engine’ light may illuminate due to failure of the turbocharger’s auxiliary water pump.
- If a replacement battery is not registered with the on-board computer, premature battery failure may result.
- The front door handle(s) may be hard to move – particularly in colder climates – due to dirt or moisture entering the release cables; redesigned cables with better seals were subsequently released.
- False theft alarms may be due to a glitch in the control software that requires reprogramming.
- Newer iPhones may not work due to an older style snap-in adapter; an updated adapter was subsequently released and installed under warranty.
