2011–2012 BMW 7 Series: Burning smell or coolant warning (auxiliary water pump recall)
Likely causes, ranked
- Failed auxiliary water pump circuit board$0–$0Shop
Real-owner fix counts will appear here as reports come in.
DIY or shop: See DIY or shop section
Parts to check
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Symptom: A coolant warning, a burning smell from the engine bay, or a pump that has stopped working.
Likely causes
- Failed auxiliary water pump circuit board. BMW replaces the pump.
DIY or shop?
Dealer. Recall repairs are free.
Useful steps
- Check your VIN for 18V248.
- Park outside if you smell burning until it's fixed.
Vehicle focus: 2011–2012 BMW 7 Series.
Safety / mechanic note
An overheating circuit board can start a fire. Verify with a mechanic or dealer.
Recalls & service bulletins
Recalls
- 18V248000 2011–2012 BMW V8 models including 750i/750Li, plus some MINI and Rolls-Royce models: the electric auxiliary water pump can fail and its circuit board can overheat. Dealers replace the pump. Details
NHTSA complaints: 25 keyword-matched complaints for BMW 750I 2011–2012 (of 87 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-15).
Always check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Sources
What actually fixed it?
Had this problem? Tell other owners what the real fix was. Reports are counted above; we never show made-up numbers.