1998 BMW 740 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1998 BMW 740, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical333.3%
- Engine111.1%
- Airbags111.1%
- Other / unspecified111.1%
- Steering111.1%
- Visibility111.1%
- Interior & seats111.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
CUP HOLDER FAILED. YH
CONSUMER HAD ACCIDENTALLY LOCKED HERSELF IN HER CAR; CONSUMER WAS GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE WHEN SHE DROPED HER KEY, SHE THOUGH SHE DROP IT INSIDE THE VEHICLE, UNAWARE THE REMOTE KEY FELL BETWEEN THE DOOR AND DOOR FRAME WHEN SHE CLOSED THE DOOR; SOMEHOW THE REMOTE KEY ACTIVATED THE SECURITY MODE: SHUTING DOWN ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE, AND LEAVING THE CONSUMER LOCKED IN AND NO WAY TO GET OUT. CONSUMER WAS LOCK IN VEHICLE FOR MORE THEN TWO HOURS BEFORE HELP ARRIVED. TWO FACTORS HELPED THE CONSUMER; 1ST. SHE WAS NOT IN A REMOTE AREA AND THE 2ND. BECAUSE THE REMOTE KEY PREVENT THE DOOR FROM CLOSING ALL THE WAY; LEAVING A SMALL CRACK BETWEEN THE DOOR ALLOWING CONSUMER TO YELL FOR HELP. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED,BUT INFORMED THE CONSUMER SHE SHOULD HAVE CARRY A EXTRA KEY. THE MAIN CONCERN WOULD BE WHAT WOULD OR COULD HAPPEN IF THE CONSUMER WAS LOCATED IN A REMOTE AREA?
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE DIES INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. DEALERINDICATED THA T COMPUTER SHOWED NO DEFECT, AND COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN HIT AT 40MPH IN THE FRONT CENTER OF THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER JACKING THE VEHICLE UP, THE JACK SUDDENLY COLASPED. CONSUMER FOOT WAS ALMOST INJURED AS A RESULT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A FEW MINUTES LATER. THE CONSUMER WENT INTO ANOTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC, BUT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED GOING INTO A COMPLETE CIRCLE. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THEY CHECKED THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND DIDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. THEY HOOKED THE VEHICLE TO DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND IT DIDN'T SHOW ANY CODES. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 25, 2005. ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE THEY REPLACED A PRESSURE HOSE ON THE POWER STEERING. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
RIGHT FRONT POWER WINDOW FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S SEAT ADJUSTMENT; WHEN TURNING ON THE VEHICLE DRIVER'S SEAT WON'T GO BACK TO ITS PROPER RETURN WHICH MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN DRIVING, AND MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. MANUFACTURER DOES NOT HAVE A REMEDY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .