2009 BMW 7 Series: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2009 BMW 7 Series: 2 recalls, 9 owner complaints and up to 17 mpg combined.

Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment Vehicle recall #10V047000 · 2010 · 1,040 vehicles
What's wrong: 110 "tire selection and rims." these vehicle's are equipped with a tire pressure label indicating that the vehicle's seating capacity is five (5) passengers. The actual seating capacity is four (4) passengers. The tire size, tire pressure, and vehicle capacity weight on the label are correct.
Why it matters: The tire label does not conform to fmvss 110.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners and authorized BMW dealers will replace the tire label free of charge. The safety recall began on April 16, 2010.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #11V521000 · 2011 · 32,084 vehicles
What's wrong:
Why it matters: This could lead to a smoldering of the pump or an engine compartment or vehicle fire.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary water pump free of charge. The safety recall began on December 19, 2011.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (3): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2), warning light on (2).
- Transmission & drivetrain (3): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2).
- Body & structure (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Fuel & propulsion (2): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2).
The 2009 BMW 7 Series has 9 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 17 7 Series model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 7). Complaints peaked in 2016 (3 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 67,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2008 (11 complaints, 1 recalls), 2010 (2 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4 L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 17 | Premium |
| 4.4 L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 21 | 17 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2009 BMW 7 Series.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2009 BMW 7 Series have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2009 BMW 7 Series. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2009 BMW 7 Series problems?
Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (3), transmission & drivetrain (3), body & structure (2).
What gas mileage does the 2009 BMW 7 Series get?
EPA ratings run up to 17 mpg combined (4.4 L, Automatic (S6)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2009 BMW 7 Series repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.