RoadVitals

1990 BMW 735I

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
4
Latest Jun 27, 2003
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Aug 4, 1998
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 BMW 735I, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine240.0%
  • Brakes120.0%
  • Electrical120.0%
  • Fuel system120.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
98V178000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

Aug 4, 1998
340,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.
The risk: IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov
96V111000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Jul 1, 1996
180,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.
The risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ON, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION. FOLLOWING DRIVERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STOPPING, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Jun 27, 2003

THE COOLANT SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED AT ANY SPEED*NLM THE HOSES RADIATOR AND CAP WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO OVER HEAT. *TS *JB

NHTSA ID
10020085
Incident
May 16, 2003
Mileage
100 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 20, 1999

THIS MUSTARD COLORED MODULE CAUSES THE COMPUTER TO WARN THE DRIVER OF A FAILED PARKING LIGHT AND/OR TAIL LIGHT WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON. EVERY TIME THESE LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON, THIS MODULE SENDS A SIGNAL TO THE DRIVER. UPON INSPECTING THE LIGHTS WHEN THIS WARNING OCCURS, THE LIGHTS ARE FULLY FUNCTIONAL. HOWEVER, ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THE TIME THESE LIGHTS (THE FRONT LEFT PARKING LIGHT, THE REAR LEFT PARKING LIGHT, AND THE RIGHT REAR MARKER LIGHT IN THE BUMPER) ACTAULLY FAIL. THESE LIGHTS FAIL EVEN THOUGH THEIR FILLAMENTS ARE STILL GOOD. WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM IS A CRACKED SOLDER JOINT INSIDE OF THIS MUSTARD COLORED RELAY. *AK

NHTSA ID
716254
Incident
Sep 7, 1998
BrakesEngine
Filed Mar 4, 1999

RECALL 96V111000. BRAKE LIGHTS COMPUTER HAS A READOUT THAT SHOWS A DEFECT IN THIS SYSTEM WHICH OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER CONTACTED MANY TIMES AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. ALSO, RECALL 98V178000, COOLING SYSTEM. RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP WERE REPLACED. DEALER CONTACTED AND DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
835454
Incident
Jan 1, 1997
Fuel system
Filed Dec 4, 1997

WHEN ENGINE IS RUNNING THE FUEL LINE LEAKS GAS ON THE HOT MANIFOLD. *AK

NHTSA ID
819740
Incident
Jun 6, 1997

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

MSG1016

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

RECALL 96V111 - THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN INVOLVES THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 735I by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2003002—
2002002—
2001000—
1995110—
1994010—
1993010—
1992630—
1991230—
1990Viewing420—
1989310—
1988111046.2
1987200—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.