RoadVitals

1995 BMW 740I

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.
9
Latest Feb 27, 2014
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.
5
Latest May 27, 2010
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 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1995 BMW 740I, most frequently naming the fuel system, electrical and engine categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 7 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

  • Fuel system436.4%
  • Electrical218.2%
  • Engine218.2%
  • Suspension218.2%
  • Interior & seats19.1%

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

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
10E021000

STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION

May 27, 2010
150 units potentially affected
The defect: FCP GROTON IS RECALLING CERTAIN STEERING CENTER DRAG LINKS, P/N 32 21 1 096 057, SOLD FROM DECEMBER 1, 2009 THROUGH APRIL 9, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR MODEL YEAR 1995 THROUGH 2001 BMW 740I, 740IL, AND 750IL PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SHAFT OF THE STEERING CENTER TIE ROD MAY SHEAR OFF.
The risk: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT, WITHOUT WARNING, IN IMMEDIATE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: FCP GROTON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE TIE ROD WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JUNE 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FCP GROTON TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-634-0063.
FCP GROTON, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
97V140000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

Aug 22, 1997
29,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ROAD GRIT AND GRAVEL ASSOCIATED WITH WINTER ROAD CONDITIONS CAN PENETRATE THE RUBBER OF THE LOWER FRONT SPRING MOUNTS AND ACCUMULATE IN THE MOUNTS CAUSING NOTCHES OR PITS TO DEVELOP. THESE NOTCHES CAN DEVELOP CRACKS RESULTING IN BREAKAGE OF A BOTTOM COIL OF THE SPRING.
The risk: THE VEHICLE'S RIDE HEIGHT COULD BE AFFECTED CAUSING NOISE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE'S DYNAMIC STABILITY CAN BE AFFECTED REDUCING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND LOWER SPRING MOUNTS.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov
97V131000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Aug 19, 1997
410,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
The risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 9
Fuel system
Filed Feb 27, 2014

THUMPING NOISES FROM UNDER REAR SEAT OF CAR WHILE DRIVING. FUEL TANK IMPLODING SUCKING ITSELF INWARDS THEN CRACKING CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK ON TO PAVEMENT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. DRIVER NOT AWARE OF THIS UNTIL PARKING AND SMELLING FUEL WHILE STANDING NEAR THE CAR. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN DATED FEBRUARY 1998 ON THIS VERY ISSUE WHICH NEVER BECAME A RECALL.

NHTSA ID
10567195
Incident
Sep 15, 2013
Mileage
97,500 mi
ElectricalFuel systemSuspension
Filed Sep 11, 2012

WHEN STARTING THE CAR I SMELL STRONG ODOR OF GAS THE FUEL AND MPH METER MOVES UP AND DOWN WHEN TURN TO THE LEFT CAR MAKES LOUD RUBBING SOUND AND TIRES KEEP LOSING AIR BRAKE LIGHT KEEP COMING ON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10474600
Incident
May 1, 2012
Engine
Filed Feb 28, 2003

WHILE TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE OF MY 1995 BMW 740I FAILED DUE TO ONE OF THE OIL PUMP BOLTS FALLING OUT AND INTO THE ENGINE. THERE IS NO SAFETY DEVICE ON THESE BOLTS TO PREVENT THEM FROM JUST SLIPPING OUT AND CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THIS INCIDENT, IF OCCURING IN A BUSY STREET OR FREEWAY COULD ENDANGER OTHER MOTORIST AS WELL AS THE OCCUPANTS OF THE DISABLED VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS BECOME A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW'S AND THAT BMW IS AWARE OF THIS YET THEY REFUSE TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ID
10008266
Incident
Feb 12, 2003
Mileage
65,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 3, 2002

I HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE ITEMS MENTIONED, HOWEVER I DON'T HAVE THE CAR ANYMORE IT WAS REOPENED ON DEC. 3, 2002 AND I'M TRYING TO FIGHT THE FINANCE CO. WFS. DT

NHTSA ID
770386
Incident
Jan 2, 2002
Suspension
Filed Aug 29, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING IF CONSUMER HITS A BUMP IN THE ROAD FRONT SUSPENSION WILL MAKE A CLUNKING LOUD NOISE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AKJLG

NHTSA ID
8017557
Incident
Aug 15, 2002
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 12, 2002

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 65MPH ON HIGHWAY, AND WHILE DRIVING HE STARTED SMELLING SMOKE. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE CEILING AND DASHBOARD.*AK

NHTSA ID
8003952
Incident
Feb 8, 2002
Electrical
Filed Oct 18, 2001

I HAVE PRUCHASED A PRE OWNED - CERTIFIED BMW FROM TISHER AUTO. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED 6/23/01. IT HAS BEEN LESS THAN 90 DAYS AND I AM OBLIGATED TO PAY FOR BOTH REAR LIGHT ASSEMBLIES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT . THE BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON AND THE CONSOLE INDICATOR CONFIRMS THIS. THE DEALER SAY THAT THERE IS A SHORT IN THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CONTROL THE FUNCTION OF THE BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU CAN INFORM ME OF ANY RECALLS ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THE CAR LESS THAN 90 DAYS AND THE REPAIR COST IS $436 DOLLARS. I AM TRYING TO GRASP THE FACT THAT THIS IS A CERTIFIED VEHICLE THAT I PUT JUST OVER 6400 MILES ON. CAN YOU HELP. *AK

NHTSA ID
753401
Incident
Sep 6, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Apr 13, 2001

FUEL IS LEAKING AT POINT WHERE HOSE MEETS METAL FUEL LINE, CAUSING FIRE HAZARD. DEFECT IS SAME AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 95V238000. BUT, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
885850

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.

B650916

EQUIPMENT

Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide

B122917

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1 control module.

34 01 98

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT MOMENTARY EVENT WHERE THE BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT IMMEDIATLELY RETURN. MODELS BUILT PRIOR TO 3/97 *DB*YC

12 01 98

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

INFORMATION ON HEAT EXCHANGER OPERATION. E38 740IA/ILA WITH M62 ENGINE PRODUCED UP TO 1/96 *DB*YC

62 01 98

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:PADS

CONDITION WITH BRAKE PAD WARNING STAYS ILLUMINATED AFTER BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT. *YC

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 740I by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025030—
2024350—
2023109048.3
2022000—
2021120—
2020120—
2019410—
2018500—
2017700—
2016120027.1
2015110—
2014110—
2013110—
2012410—
2001154055.6
2000122049.2
1999810—
1998810—
1997330—
1996130—
1995Viewing950—
1994720—
1993152048.9

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.