2008 BMW 7 Series recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
What could happen: POWER ASSIST BRAKING PERFORMANCE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN EXTREME CASES THERE COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AN UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2008 7 SERIES.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 10V446000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
Summary: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Consequence: POWER ASSIST BRAKING PERFORMANCE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN EXTREME CASES THERE COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AN UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
Notes: OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2008 BMW 7 Series owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (26), Body / structure (21), Latches / locks (20), Electrical system (18), Airbags (16).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
05/26/2026 · Latches / locks
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 750LI US. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the rear passenger door opened inadvertently. The contact stated that the right rear passenger immediately closed the door and later, when the vehicle was parked and the right rear passenger attempted to exit, the door would not open from the inside. When at…
03/07/2025 · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 750I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V328000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the dealer was unable to repair the recall in a timely manner and the contact had to recover the vehicle from the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the driver's side door was n…
01/09/2025 · Latches / locks
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 750i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V328000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) and was interfering with other electrical components of the vehicle such as the Navigation Panel rendering it non-responsive, the alarm system from the door latches constantly sounding and not being able to be turned off, causing…
10/19/2023 · Latches / locks
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 760LI. The contact stated that the four doors of the vehicle failed to latch securely when closed. The contact stated that the door handle also failed to return to the original position while closing the doors. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 20 MPH and making a right turn with his stepdaughter in the rear mid…
10/02/2022 · Unknown Or Other
door does not stay closed. door opened while driving.
03/09/2022 · Steering
My car one day just turned on all lights inside including emergency break and the engine started smoking out....
12/15/2021 · Fuel system
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 750LI. The contact stated that upon refueling the vehicle, he smelled a strong gas odor. The contact recalled that the same issue had occurred with a BMW vehicle that he previously owned, so he drove the vehicle to his residence and restarted it. The contact exited the vehicle and as he was looking around, he noticed fuel leaking…
04/01/2021 · Airbags
FAULT 97E0 - FRONT PASSENGER OC3 OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT DEFECTIVE. THIS IS THE SECOND SUCH FAILURE IN THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST OCCURRED THE YEAR PRIOR IN THE DRIVER-SIDE MAT WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 75,000 MILES. AT A NORMAL MILEAGE USAGE OF 15,000 PER YEAR, THE FIRST FAILURE WOULD HAVE OCCURRED AFTER 5 YEARS OF SERVICE. THE PASSENGER SEAT IS USED LES…