BMW 7 Series E65 common faults.

2001–2008. The fault list covers this generation and the engines in it. If the listing gives the exact version, pick it below.

What to watch for

What can go wrong on this car?

The list covers the generation, the engines and the transmissions. Once you pick the version, only the faults that apply to it stay.

critical4

Electric water pump: silent failure, immediate overheating

critical

In these engines the water pump is not belt driven but has its own electric motor.

Applies to the engine N52B30.

M54: the crankcase breather valve sticks, its lines break and oil is used up

critical

The crankcase breather valve and its four lines often fail.

Applies to the engine M54B30.

M54: the DISA valve breaks and its parts can enter the engine

critical

The DISA valve is the black box on the side of the intake manifold, and it adjusts the length of the intake so that there is more torque at low revs.

Applies to the engine M54B30.

N52 / N55: aluminium bolts of the VANOS housing can loosen

critical

Four aluminium bolts hold the housing of the variable valve timing (VANOS).

Applies to the engine N52B30.

expensive4

Crankcase ventilation (CCV) in the valve cover: oil consumption, rough running

expensive

The crankcase ventilation leads the gas that forms in the crankcase back to the intake and separates the oil out of it on the way.

Applies to the engine N52B30.

Repair: 80–900 EUR

Coolant pipe in the V valley: it leaks inwards, and the factory repair is 40 hours

expensive

The seals of the coolant pipe running between the cylinder banks harden, and the coolant starts to leak.

Applies to the engine N62B36, N62B40, N62B44 and 1 more.

Alternator bracket gasket: it carries oil passages and leaks into the V valley

expensive

Oil passages run inside the bracket of the alternator, and the gasket of the bracket goes brittle from the heat of the engine and then cracks.

Applies to the engine N62B36, N62B40, N62B44 and 1 more.

M54: a failing VANOS solenoid valve and fluctuating revs at low rpm

expensive

The VANOS solenoid valves fail sooner or later, and that gives fluctuating revs and a noticeable loss of power at low rpm, sometimes starting trouble as well.

Applies to the engine M54B30.

8 more faults belong to this generation. On the version page, only the ones that apply stay.

Official recall1 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done. The list covers the whole generation. We did not filter it by model year. Some apply only to a narrower production window.

Most recent: 9 August 2004

04V379000SEATSSEATS9 August 2004 · NHTSA (USA)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (ODS) MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RELIABLY DETERMINE IF THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS OCCUPIED.

Risk: IN CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG, HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONER, AND KNEE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SOFTWARE FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 13, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

The authority's notice

Engines and transmissions in this generation

A fault is often tied to the engine, not to the whole generation. You find the engine code in the registration document.

E65 · 2001–2008

Pick the version.

The fault list opens on the version page.

63 versions

EngineVersionPowerFuel · transmissionBody

Showing 60 of 63 versions.

Neighbouring generations

E65 · 2001–2008

E65/E66 (2001-2008). If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.

Previous generation

This is the earliest.

This generation

E65 · 2001–2008

Next generation

F01 · 2008–2015

Common questions

About this generation

Which years does this page cover?

2001–2008. The changeover year can fall in two generations. If the listing is from that year, look at the neighbour too.

Does the fault apply to every car like this?

No. It depends on the engine and the transmission too.

Is it free?

The fault list is.

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.

Details in the terms