Vehicle recall 12V502000 · October 17, 2012

BMW 760Li, 750i and 4 more models

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…

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Summary: 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.
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 www.safercar.gov.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 12V502000
Reported to NHTSA: October 17, 2012
Filed by: BMW of North America, LLC
Owner notification: March 20, 2013
Vehicles potentially affected: 45,500
Initiated by: NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
Components: Electrical system › Ignition › Switch; Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm); Power train › Automatic transmission

Recall 12V502000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

BMW 745i (2005): 2005
BMW 745Li (2005): 2005
BMW 750i (2006-2008): 2008, 2007, 2006
BMW 750Li (2006-2008): 2008, 2007, 2006
BMW 760i (2005-2006): 2006, 2005
BMW 760Li (2005-2008): 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005

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