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BMW F01 7 Series common problems

2009–2015 · 740i / 740Li, 740i / 740Li / xDrive, 740Ld xDrive, 750i / 750Li / xDrive, 760Li, ActiveHybrid 7, Alpina B7 (N54, N55, N57, N63 V8, N74 V12, N63 then N55). The known weak spots of the engines used in the F01, with sources, plus the topics that come up most in BMW's service bulletins and NHTSA recalls for this chassis.

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N54 engine

740i / 740Li (2011–2012) · N54 bulletins →

High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP)

Early N54 pumps failed often enough that BMW extended the emissions warranty on the pump to 10 years/120,000 miles for 2007–2010 N54 cars. Symptoms are long cranking, stumbling and reduced power.

BMW bulletins on file for the F01:

Sources: BimmerFile: BMW NA extends N54 fuel pump warranty

Turbocharger wastegate rattle

BMW extended the emissions warranty on N54 turbo wastegates to 8 years/82,000 miles (SI B01 02 12). A loud rattle on decel or at light throttle is the typical complaint.

BMW bulletins on file for the F01:

  • SIB 17 03 09 Water pump check engine light Water pump check engine light on N63 engines (2006–2011); BMW released a revised part and repair procedure. Service bulletin · Oct 2010
  • SIB 11 11 17 Timing chain leak Timing chain leak on BMW G11/G12/G30/G31 and other models (2008–2018); BMW gives diagnosis and repair guidance. Service bulletin · Sep 2018
  • SIB 11 07 11 Turbocharger noise Turbocharger noise on BMW E60/E61/E63/E64 and other models (2010); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Mar 2015

Sources: BMW SI B01 02 12 on NHTSA

Water pump, oil filter housing and valve cover leaks

Shared with the N52 and N55: the electric water pump and the usual N5x gasket leaks.

BMW bulletins on file for the F01:

N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat: prices → VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust): prices →

N55 engine

740i / 740Li / xDrive (2013–2015), ActiveHybrid 7 (2011–2015) · N55 bulletins →

Oil filter housing gasket, valve cover and oil pan leaks

The N55's most common repairs are oil leaks at the filter housing gasket, the plastic valve cover and the oil pan gasket.

BMW bulletins on file for the F01:

N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG): prices → N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV): prices → N55 oil pan gasket: prices →

Electric water pump and thermostat

Like the N52 and N54, the N55 uses an electric coolant pump that eventually fails.

BMW bulletins on file for the F01:

N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat: prices →

Charge pipe cracks

The plastic charge pipe between turbo and intercooler can crack, causing a sudden loss of boost; it's a shared N55/S55 weak point.

Sources: Lang Racing: N55/S55 crank hub and boost notes

N57 engine

740Ld xDrive (2014–2015) · N57 bulletins →

EGR cooler coolant leaks (recalls 18V-755 and 21V-907)

Coolant leaking from the EGR cooler can mix with soot deposits; BMW recalled US 535d and X5 xDrive35d models to replace the cooler and later extended coverage on N47/N57 EGR coolers.

BMW bulletins on file for the F01:

Sources: NHTSA recall 18V-755 report · NHTSA recall 21V-907 report · BMW SIB 01 05 20: N47/N57 EGR cooler extension (NHTSA)

Diesel emissions parts (DEF, NOx sensors, particulate filter)

DEF (AdBlue) system, NOx sensor and particulate filter faults are the other common diesel repairs.

BMW bulletins on file for the F01:

N63 engine

750i / 750Li / xDrive (2009–2015), ActiveHybrid 7 (2011–2015), Alpina B7 (2011–2015) · N63 bulletins →

Oil consumption and valve stem seals

BMW issued a dedicated N63/S63 valve seal replacement procedure for cars with verified excessive oil consumption, oil-fouled plugs or smoke.

BMW bulletins on file for the F01:

N63 valve stem seals (oil burning / blue smoke): prices →

Sources: BMW SIB: N63 and S63 valve seal replacement (NHTSA)

N63 Customer Care Package (injectors, sensors, vacuum pump, seals)

For 2009–2014 N63 cars BMW created the Customer Care Package: a check and, if needed, replacement of air mass sensors, piezo injectors, the vacuum pump, turbo intake seals and crankcase vent lines. It's not a recall, so ask a BMW center whether it was done.

BMW bulletins on file for the F01:

Sources: BMW SIB 11 06 14: N63 Customer Care Package (NHTSA)

Turbo coolant lines, valve cover gaskets and timing chains

Hot-vee heat cooks the turbo coolant lines and valve cover gaskets; timing chain stretch is another known item.

BMW bulletins on file for the F01:

N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V): prices → N63 valve cover gaskets (both banks): prices →

N74 engine

760Li (2010–2015) · N74 bulletins →

Misfires: coils, plugs and piezo injectors

Twelve coils and piezo injectors mean misfires are the most common complaint; injector faults also cause rough running and long cranking.

BMW bulletins on file for the F01:

Sources: Bimmers.com: N74 known issues

Coolant leaks and turbo cooling

Coolant pipe leaks and turbo cooling components are known, expensive repairs on the twin-turbo V12.

BMW bulletins on file for the F01:

Sources: Bimmers.com: N74 known issues

Most frequent bulletin topics 346 bulletins

TopicBulletinsExamples
Instrument cluster9SIB 12 19 19, SIB 62 06 13
Axle8SIB 31 01 12, SIB 31 04 12
Battery7SIB 61 03 14, SIB 61 03 13
Check engine light7SIB 16 02 15, SIB 16 16 14
Fuel injectors6SIB 12 38 14, SIB 13 04 13
Door6NHTSA 10162435, SIB 62 03 15
Navigation6NHTSA 10162458, NHTSA 10147623
Central display5SIB 61 05 24, SIB 65 13 13

BMW service bulletins and warranty extensions filed with NHTSA that list the F01, grouped by topic. A bulletin tells technicians how to diagnose and fix a known issue; it doesn't mean every car has the problem.

NHTSA recalls by component 10

  • engine · 2 recalls18V674, 18V248
  • turbo/supercharger · 2 recalls12V161, 11V521
  • fuel system, diesel · 1 recall21V907
  • high-pressure fuel pump · 1 recall21V586
  • gas recirculation valve (EGR valve) · 1 recall18V755
  • exterior lighting · 1 recall17V379
  • constant velocity joint · 1 recall17V067
  • labels · 1 recall10V047

Matched from NHTSA's public recall file by model and model year. Recall repairs are free; check a VIN.

BMW warranty extensions that list the F01

If a car qualifies, the listed repair may be free. Check eligibility for the VIN with a BMW center.

Repair prices for these engines

N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG) N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV) N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat N55 oil pan gasket VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust) N55 ignition coils (all six) N55 charge pipe (intercooler to throttle) replacement N54 high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) replacement N63 valve stem seals (oil burning / blue smoke) N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V) N63 valve cover gaskets (both banks)

Prices on these pages are for other chassis with the same engine.

More for the F01

F01 engines, recalls & bulletins F01 maintenance schedule Pre-purchase VIN check

Sources: BMW service bulletins and recalls filed with NHTSA (public data) and the specialist and owner write-ups linked above. Not affiliated with BMW.

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