WHILE DRIVING WITH MY WIFE, I RECEIVED AN ON-BOARD LIGHT AND SYMBOL INDICATOR. STATING THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE. THIS IS THE VERY SAME SENSOR THE (OC3 PASS SIDE MATT) THAT WAS RECALLED IN 2006 AND 2007 MODELS THAT HAD THE OC3 SENSOR. *TR
2008 BMW 750LI
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 750LI years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
55 reports with mileage · 10 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
65 reportsDOOR MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL PROBLEM - DOOR WILL NOT LOCK/UNLOCK. DEALER REPLACED LOCK MECHANISM UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN JUNE 2014, DEALER FIXED IT FOR $1200. STARTING AUGUST 2014 I HAVE AGAIN THIS ISSUE. PAYING $1200 TO FIX A PROBLEM FIXED 3 MONTHS EARLIER IS NOT FAIR. *TR
I OWN A 2008 BMW 750LI WITH SOFT CLOSE DOORS. THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. THE SOFT CLOSE DOES NOT WORK AT ALL ANYMORE AND 9 TIMES OUT OF 10 THE DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE AT ALL. I HAVE TO REPEATEDLY TRY TO CLOSE THE DOOR OVER AND OVER AND OVER. IF THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS PREVIOUS MODELS, WHY IS THIS …
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I OWN A 2008 BMW 750LI WITH SOFT CLOSE DOORS. THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. THE SOFT CLOSE DOES NOT WORK AT ALL ANYMORE AND 9 TIMES OUT OF 10 THE DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE AT ALL. I HAVE TO REPEATEDLY TRY TO CLOSE THE DOOR OVER AND OVER AND OVER. IF THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS PREVIOUS MODELS, WHY IS THIS NOT PART OF A RECALL. *TR
OWN 2008 BMW 750 W/ SOFT CLOSE DOORS. HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS THE 2005-2007 750S THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. AT 35 MPH, DOOR FLEW OPEN AND I COULDN'T CLOSE. SOMETIMES IT LATCHES AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. CPO JUST EXPIRED 1 MONTH AGO. DEALER WANTS $ 1800 TO FIX. I KNOW OTHER OWNERS W/ SOFT CLOSE DOORS - NOTHING BUT HEADACHES. CONSI…
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OWN 2008 BMW 750 W/ SOFT CLOSE DOORS. HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS THE 2005-2007 750S THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. AT 35 MPH, DOOR FLEW OPEN AND I COULDN'T CLOSE. SOMETIMES IT LATCHES AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. CPO JUST EXPIRED 1 MONTH AGO. DEALER WANTS $ 1800 TO FIX. I KNOW OTHER OWNERS W/ SOFT CLOSE DOORS - NOTHING BUT HEADACHES. CONSIDERING THE 2008 HAS THE SAME DOORS AS THE 2007, I CANNOT IMAGINE WHY THE RECALL DIDN'T EXTEND TO THE 2008 ALSO. *TR
I UNLOCKED MY VEHICLE TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR SO THAT I MAY ENTER. THE DOOR OPENED AS IT NORMALLY SHOULD, I ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DOOR. THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH ON TO THE REST OF THE CAR. THE DOOR WILL SWING OPEN AND IN THE CLOSE POSITION PROPERLY, BUT THE LATCH ITSELF WOULD NOT OPERATE, THEREFORE I…
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I UNLOCKED MY VEHICLE TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR SO THAT I MAY ENTER. THE DOOR OPENED AS IT NORMALLY SHOULD, I ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DOOR. THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH ON TO THE REST OF THE CAR. THE DOOR WILL SWING OPEN AND IN THE CLOSE POSITION PROPERLY, BUT THE LATCH ITSELF WOULD NOT OPERATE, THEREFORE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE CAR IN A SAFE MANNER. UPON RESEARCH AND CONSULTING WITH A GERMAN CAR MECHANIC, IT APPEARS THAT THE "SOFT CLOSE" FUNCTION OF THE DOOR FAILED, CAUSING THE LATCH TO SEIZE AND BECOME INOPERABLE. THE 2005-2007 MODELS FOR THIS EXACT VEHICLE WERE RECALLED ON OCTOBER 28TH, 2012 FOR THE SAME EXACT ISSUE, HOWEVER MY 2008 MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED AS PART OF THE RECALL. THE 2005-2007 MODELS ARE IDENTICAL TO THE 2008 MODEL, AND USE ALL OF THE SAME EXACT PARTS, INCLUDING THE DOOR LATCH. THE 2008 MODEL SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL, AS THE SAME DEFECTIVE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM IS USED IN THIS CAR AS WELL. A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH OF "BMW 7 SERIES DOOR NOT CLOSING" ALSO YIELDS SEVERAL HUNDRED REPORTS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. DOOR LATCHES SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR, AS IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE TO DRIVE WITH YOUR DOOR OPEN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAULT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT HARD WHILE DECELERATING INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT OFF AND RESTART THE ENGINE IN ORDER FOR THE SYSTEM TO RESET. THE VEHICLE THEN BECAME HESITANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS O…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAULT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT HARD WHILE DECELERATING INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT OFF AND RESTART THE ENGINE IN ORDER FOR THE SYSTEM TO RESET. THE VEHICLE THEN BECAME HESITANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS OVER 50 MPH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE COMPUTER WAS RESET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND THE TRANSMISSION FAULT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOT A WAY TO CLEAR OUT THE CODE AND THE ENTI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND THE TRANSMISSION FAULT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOT A WAY TO CLEAR OUT THE CODE AND THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 77,000.
PASSENGER DETECTION MAT FAULTY CAUSING THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG TO DEACTIVATE AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. IN 2008 THESE DETECTION MATS WERE RECALLED FOR BMW 7-SERIES THROUGH 2006 HOWEVER THEY WERE NOT RECALLED ON 2008 MODELS. DEALER REQUIRES $1.3K TO REPAIR. *TR
I BEGAN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR CAME OPEN AND WOULD NOT LATCH AFTERWARD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO 55 MPH OR HIGHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A CALIBRATION PROBLEM BETWEEN THE EGS MODULE AND THE DME MODULE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NO WAY TO CORRECT THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 750LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO 55 MPH OR HIGHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A CALIBRATION PROBLEM BETWEEN THE EGS MODULE AND THE DME MODULE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NO WAY TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING ACCEPTABLY AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000. UPDATED 10/25/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WERE NOT IN SYNC. UPDATED 10/25/12
Official recalls
217V328000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
May 18, 2017
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2005-2008 745i, 745Li, 750i, 750Li, 760i, 760Li, and B7 Alpina vehicles equipped with both the Comfort Access and Soft Close Automatic options. In these vehicles, the doors may appear to be closed and latched, but, in fact, may inadvertently open.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The door may unexpectedly open due to road or driving conditions or occupant contact with the door. The sudden opening may result in occupant ejection or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the door latch system, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
12V502000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Oct 17, 2012
BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 7-Series vehicles, equipped with the Comfort Access option, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through July 24, 2008. The affected vehicles have an electronic key and an electronic connection between the gear shifter and the transmission (shift-by-wire) that automatically shifts the transmission to Park when the driver presses the Start/Stop button to shutdown the engine. If the driver presses the engine Start/Stop button 2 or 3 times within a short time interval, the system may shift the transmission to Neutral rather than Park. If using the electronic key (Comfort Access mode), there would be no protection from the ignition interlock that prevents key removal if the vehicle is not in Park.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the driver exits the vehicle with the transmission in Neutral and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may rollaway. Unattended rollaway incidents often result in a crash or cause injury to pedestrians attempting to stop or enter the vehicle or to other bystanders in the path of the vehicle.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners beginning in November 2012. The remedy became available in March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Electrical System:ignition:switch
BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 7-Series vehicles, equipped with the Comfort Access option, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through July 24, 2008. The affected vehicles have an electronic key and an electronic connection between the gear shifter and the transmission (shift-by-wire) that automatically shifts the transmission to Park when the driver presses the Start/Stop button to shutdown the engine. If the driver presses the engine Start/Stop button 2 or 3 times within a short time interval, the system may shift the transmission to Neutral rather than Park. If using the electronic key (Comfort Access mode), there would be no protection from the ignition interlock that prevents key removal if the vehicle is not in Park.
Consequence: If the driver exits the vehicle with the transmission in Neutral and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may rollaway. Unattended rollaway incidents often result in a crash or cause injury to pedestrians attempting to stop or enter the vehicle or to other bystanders in the path of the vehicle.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners beginning in November 2012. The remedy became available in March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 7-Series vehicles, equipped with the Comfort Access option, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through July 24, 2008. The affected vehicles have an electronic key and an electronic connection between the gear shifter and the transmission (shift-by-wire) that automatically shifts the transmission to Park when the driver presses the Start/Stop button to shutdown the engine. If the driver presses the engine Start/Stop button 2 or 3 times within a short time interval, the system may shift the transmission to Neutral rather than Park. If using the electronic key (Comfort Access mode), there would be no protection from the ignition interlock that prevents key removal if the vehicle is not in Park.
Consequence: If the driver exits the vehicle with the transmission in Neutral and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may rollaway. Unattended rollaway incidents often result in a crash or cause injury to pedestrians attempting to stop or enter the vehicle or to other bystanders in the path of the vehicle.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners beginning in November 2012. The remedy became available in March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
BMW is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 7-Series vehicles, equipped with the Comfort Access option, and manufactured August 23, 2004, through July 24, 2008. The affected vehicles have an electronic key and an electronic connection between the gear shifter and the transmission (shift-by-wire) that automatically shifts the transmission to Park when the driver presses the Start/Stop button to shutdown the engine. If the driver presses the engine Start/Stop button 2 or 3 times within a short time interval, the system may shift the transmission to Neutral rather than Park. If using the electronic key (Comfort Access mode), there would be no protection from the ignition interlock that prevents key removal if the vehicle is not in Park.
Consequence: If the driver exits the vehicle with the transmission in Neutral and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may rollaway. Unattended rollaway incidents often result in a crash or cause injury to pedestrians attempting to stop or enter the vehicle or to other bystanders in the path of the vehicle.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners beginning in November 2012. The remedy became available in March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA12002 · Vehicle Rollaway
Opened Apr 10, 2012 · Closed Jan 24, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical System:ignition; Electrical System:ignition:switch; Power Train:automatic Transmission
In a letter dated October 16, 2012, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-502 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving the possibility of unattended vehicle rollaway in MY 2005 through 2008 BMW 7-Series (approximately 45,000) vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access Option.The Comfort Access option allows the driver to start and stop the engine (by pressing the engine start / stop button) without inserting the key fob into the vehicles key slot in the instrument panel.Subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option require the key fob be inserted the key slot to start the engine.Upon removal of the key from the key slot the vehicle will automatically shift to Park if the driver has not done so using the gearshift lever.Sunject vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access option are designed such that when the vehicle is stopped with the service brakes applied and the transmission in Drive or Reverse, the driver can push the engine start/stop button one time, stopping the engine and automatically shifting the transmission to Park.In its DIR, BMW identified a condition such that if the driver depressed the start-stop button multiple times in rapid succession, the transmission could shift to Neutral instead of Park.With the transmission in neutral, depending on the slope of the road, the vehicle could rollaway if unattended.In review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and of reports submitted to BMW, ODI identified 20 reports alleging vehicle rollaway involving vehicles equipped with Comfort Access.The vehicles identified in these reports are all subject to recall 12V-502.Ten of these reports were identified as likely related to the defect described in recall 12V-502.Two of the reports are likely related to other mechanical failures.The remaining 8 allegations of vehicle rollaway could not be associated with a specific cause.There are 32 reports alleging vehicle rollaway in the subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option.A vehicle based safety defect trend was not identified in these reports.Subject vehicles not equipped the Comfort Access option will automatically shift to Park once the key fob is removed from the key slot.In this regard these vehicles behave similarly to those with traditional mechanical keys where the key cannot be removed from the ignition unless the vehicle is shifted to Park.The difference between these vehicles and the subject vehicles with the Comfort Access option is that in the Comfort Access equipped vehicles, the engine can be started and stopped without the key fob in the key slot.ODI reports 10429922 and 10419177 noted in the EA opening resume were determined to be vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option and ODI did not identify a vehicle based safety defect associated with these incidents.This investigation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10185770
Additional source detail variants (4)
Electrical System
In a letter dated October 16, 2012, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-502 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving the possibility of unattended vehicle rollaway in MY 2005 through 2008 BMW 7-Series (approximately 45,000) vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access Option.The Comfort Access option allows the driver to start and stop the engine (by pressing the engine start / stop button) without inserting the key fob into the vehicles key slot in the instrument panel.Subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option require the key fob be inserted the key slot to start the engine.Upon removal of the key from the key slot the vehicle will automatically shift to Park if the driver has not done so using the gearshift lever.Sunject vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access option are designed such that when the vehicle is stopped with the service brakes applied and the transmission in Drive or Reverse, the driver can push the engine start/stop button one time, stopping the engine and automatically shifting the transmission to Park.In its DIR, BMW identified a condition such that if the driver depressed the start-stop button multiple times in rapid succession, the transmission could shift to Neutral instead of Park.With the transmission in neutral, depending on the slope of the road, the vehicle could rollaway if unattended.In review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and of reports submitted to BMW, ODI identified 20 reports alleging vehicle rollaway involving vehicles equipped with Comfort Access.The vehicles identified in these reports are all subject to recall 12V-502.Ten of these reports were identified as likely related to the defect described in recall 12V-502.Two of the reports are likely related to other mechanical failures.The remaining 8 allegations of vehicle rollaway could not be associated with a specific cause.There are 32 reports alleging vehicle rollaway in the subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option.A vehicle based safety defect trend was not identified in these reports.Subject vehicles not equipped the Comfort Access option will automatically shift to Park once the key fob is removed from the key slot.In this regard these vehicles behave similarly to those with traditional mechanical keys where the key cannot be removed from the ignition unless the vehicle is shifted to Park.The difference between these vehicles and the subject vehicles with the Comfort Access option is that in the Comfort Access equipped vehicles, the engine can be started and stopped without the key fob in the key slot.ODI reports 10429922 and 10419177 noted in the EA opening resume were determined to be vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option and ODI did not identify a vehicle based safety defect associated with these incidents.This investigation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10185770
Electrical System:ignition
In a letter dated October 16, 2012, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-502 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving the possibility of unattended vehicle rollaway in MY 2005 through 2008 BMW 7-Series (approximately 45,000) vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access Option.The Comfort Access option allows the driver to start and stop the engine (by pressing the engine start / stop button) without inserting the key fob into the vehicles key slot in the instrument panel.Subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option require the key fob be inserted the key slot to start the engine.Upon removal of the key from the key slot the vehicle will automatically shift to Park if the driver has not done so using the gearshift lever.Sunject vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access option are designed such that when the vehicle is stopped with the service brakes applied and the transmission in Drive or Reverse, the driver can push the engine start/stop button one time, stopping the engine and automatically shifting the transmission to Park.In its DIR, BMW identified a condition such that if the driver depressed the start-stop button multiple times in rapid succession, the transmission could shift to Neutral instead of Park.With the transmission in neutral, depending on the slope of the road, the vehicle could rollaway if unattended.In review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and of reports submitted to BMW, ODI identified 20 reports alleging vehicle rollaway involving vehicles equipped with Comfort Access.The vehicles identified in these reports are all subject to recall 12V-502.Ten of these reports were identified as likely related to the defect described in recall 12V-502.Two of the reports are likely related to other mechanical failures.The remaining 8 allegations of vehicle rollaway could not be associated with a specific cause.There are 32 reports alleging vehicle rollaway in the subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option.A vehicle based safety defect trend was not identified in these reports.Subject vehicles not equipped the Comfort Access option will automatically shift to Park once the key fob is removed from the key slot.In this regard these vehicles behave similarly to those with traditional mechanical keys where the key cannot be removed from the ignition unless the vehicle is shifted to Park.The difference between these vehicles and the subject vehicles with the Comfort Access option is that in the Comfort Access equipped vehicles, the engine can be started and stopped without the key fob in the key slot.ODI reports 10429922 and 10419177 noted in the EA opening resume were determined to be vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option and ODI did not identify a vehicle based safety defect associated with these incidents.This investigation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10185770
Electrical System:ignition:switch
In a letter dated October 16, 2012, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-502 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving the possibility of unattended vehicle rollaway in MY 2005 through 2008 BMW 7-Series (approximately 45,000) vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access Option.The Comfort Access option allows the driver to start and stop the engine (by pressing the engine start / stop button) without inserting the key fob into the vehicles key slot in the instrument panel.Subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option require the key fob be inserted the key slot to start the engine.Upon removal of the key from the key slot the vehicle will automatically shift to Park if the driver has not done so using the gearshift lever.Sunject vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access option are designed such that when the vehicle is stopped with the service brakes applied and the transmission in Drive or Reverse, the driver can push the engine start/stop button one time, stopping the engine and automatically shifting the transmission to Park.In its DIR, BMW identified a condition such that if the driver depressed the start-stop button multiple times in rapid succession, the transmission could shift to Neutral instead of Park.With the transmission in neutral, depending on the slope of the road, the vehicle could rollaway if unattended.In review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and of reports submitted to BMW, ODI identified 20 reports alleging vehicle rollaway involving vehicles equipped with Comfort Access.The vehicles identified in these reports are all subject to recall 12V-502.Ten of these reports were identified as likely related to the defect described in recall 12V-502.Two of the reports are likely related to other mechanical failures.The remaining 8 allegations of vehicle rollaway could not be associated with a specific cause.There are 32 reports alleging vehicle rollaway in the subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option.A vehicle based safety defect trend was not identified in these reports.Subject vehicles not equipped the Comfort Access option will automatically shift to Park once the key fob is removed from the key slot.In this regard these vehicles behave similarly to those with traditional mechanical keys where the key cannot be removed from the ignition unless the vehicle is shifted to Park.The difference between these vehicles and the subject vehicles with the Comfort Access option is that in the Comfort Access equipped vehicles, the engine can be started and stopped without the key fob in the key slot.ODI reports 10429922 and 10419177 noted in the EA opening resume were determined to be vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option and ODI did not identify a vehicle based safety defect associated with these incidents.This investigation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10185770
Power Train:automatic Transmission
In a letter dated October 16, 2012, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-502 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving the possibility of unattended vehicle rollaway in MY 2005 through 2008 BMW 7-Series (approximately 45,000) vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access Option.The Comfort Access option allows the driver to start and stop the engine (by pressing the engine start / stop button) without inserting the key fob into the vehicles key slot in the instrument panel.Subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option require the key fob be inserted the key slot to start the engine.Upon removal of the key from the key slot the vehicle will automatically shift to Park if the driver has not done so using the gearshift lever.Sunject vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access option are designed such that when the vehicle is stopped with the service brakes applied and the transmission in Drive or Reverse, the driver can push the engine start/stop button one time, stopping the engine and automatically shifting the transmission to Park.In its DIR, BMW identified a condition such that if the driver depressed the start-stop button multiple times in rapid succession, the transmission could shift to Neutral instead of Park.With the transmission in neutral, depending on the slope of the road, the vehicle could rollaway if unattended.In review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and of reports submitted to BMW, ODI identified 20 reports alleging vehicle rollaway involving vehicles equipped with Comfort Access.The vehicles identified in these reports are all subject to recall 12V-502.Ten of these reports were identified as likely related to the defect described in recall 12V-502.Two of the reports are likely related to other mechanical failures.The remaining 8 allegations of vehicle rollaway could not be associated with a specific cause.There are 32 reports alleging vehicle rollaway in the subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option.A vehicle based safety defect trend was not identified in these reports.Subject vehicles not equipped the Comfort Access option will automatically shift to Park once the key fob is removed from the key slot.In this regard these vehicles behave similarly to those with traditional mechanical keys where the key cannot be removed from the ignition unless the vehicle is shifted to Park.The difference between these vehicles and the subject vehicles with the Comfort Access option is that in the Comfort Access equipped vehicles, the engine can be started and stopped without the key fob in the key slot.ODI reports 10429922 and 10419177 noted in the EA opening resume were determined to be vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option and ODI did not identify a vehicle based safety defect associated with these incidents.This investigation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10185770
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