RoadVitals

1996 BMW 740IL

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.
11
Latest Mar 5, 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.
2
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.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 BMW 740IL, most frequently naming the driver assistance, engine and fuel system categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 9 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

  • Driver assistance321.4%
  • Engine321.4%
  • Fuel system321.4%
  • Brakes214.3%
  • Interior & seats214.3%
  • Airbags17.1%

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

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
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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 11
EngineFuel system
Filed Mar 5, 2014

THE GAS TANK STARTED TO MAKE POPPING NOISES AND THUMPING SOUNDS. THEN WHEN I REALIZED SOMETHING IS WRONG WHEN THE GAS GAUGE STARTED READING 1/4 TANK WHEN IT WAS EMPTY, STRANGELY WHEN I WAS FILLING UP WITH GAS THE CAP WAS HARD TO REMOVE AND AS SOON AS I REMOVED THE CAP AIR WAS RUSHING IN. I RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE INTERSTATE WITHOUT ANY WARNING MANAGED TO GET THE CAR ON THE SHOULDER. LATER ON THE WAY TO WORK I STARTED SMELLING A STRONG GAS ODOR I ASSUMED IT WAS THE CARS SURROUNDING ME. WHEN I WENT ON MY LUNCH BREAK MY COWORKERS INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF GAS UNDER MY CAR, WHEN I GOT BACK TO WORK I STARTED TO INVESTIGATE WHAT HAPPENED AND MY TANK WAS IMPLODED AND DEVELOPED LEAKS AROUND THE SEAMS. I FIND THIS A MAJOR CONCERN SINCE THIS IS RIGHT NEXT TO A HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM AND MAY CAUSE A FIRE DUE TO POOR GAS TANK VENTILATION. I'M LUCKY THAT MY CAR DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF GAS I LOST AND NOTICED LEAKING ON THE SEAMS THAT ARE EXTREMELY CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10567419
Incident
Mar 1, 2014
Mileage
133,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 24, 2008

ANYTIME YOU ARE ACCELERATING THE THROTTLE CABLE WILL EITHER GET STUCK OR IF YOU LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL ITS WILL CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY UPON ENTERING THE HIGHWAY. THIS OCCURRED PRETTY REGULARLY UNTIL WE HAD THE THROTTLE CABLE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10235678
Incident
Jun 10, 2008
Mileage
179,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 14, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BMW 740IL. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. AS SHE TURNED THE KEY AND REMOVED IT FROM THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. SHE HAD TO REMOVE THE ENGINE FUSES FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC INSTALLED A NEW CYLINDER AND HOUSING. THREE WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO IS NOT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY STILL AT THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 203,000.

NHTSA ID
10227742
Incident
Apr 28, 2008
Mileage
203,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 30, 2005

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE RPM'S WILL REV UP TO 3500 RPMS PREVENTING THE DRIVER FROM PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WITHOUT A POSSIBLE CRASH. DRIVER WOULD APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO SURGE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAIL. DEFECTIVE PARTS REPLACED. CAR WENT BY ITSELF TO 90 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. REPLACED FRONT THROTTLE BODY GASKET AND IDLE SPEED REGULATOR. *BF *NM

NHTSA ID
10113491
Incident
Feb 18, 2005
Mileage
86,312 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 29, 2002
1 injury reported

THIS PROBLEM W/ RADIATOR IS VERY COMMON W/ THIS VEHICLE AND MANUFACTURER REFUSES ANY RESPONSIBILITY. *AK

NHTSA ID
761327
Incident
Feb 14, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Oct 10, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
753063
Incident
Oct 7, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Aug 22, 2001

GAS TANK IMPLODED SUCKING ITSELF IN AND CAUSING GAS TO LEAK AND SPILL. TANK WAS REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2000. HOWEVER, PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THEN. ALSO, THERE ARE POPPING NOISES COMING FROM TANK AREA, WHICH MEANS THAT GAS IN TANK IS NOT PROPERLY VENTING,CAUSING A BUILD UP. TECHNICIANS HAVE HEARD THE NOISE, BUT ARE UNABLE TO RECTIFY IT WHEN IT'S NOT DOING IT.*AK

NHTSA ID
894920
Incident
Sep 30, 2000
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 19, 2000

HOOD CAME CRASHING UP AGAINST WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING ON FREEEWAY. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH DEALER FOUND THAT THE SAFETY HOLD DOWN PIN ON THE LEFT SIDE HOOD LOCK WAS MISSING, DEALER REPLACED THE HOOD LOCK ASSEMBLY. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
876728
Incident
Nov 10, 2000

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.

62 01 98

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:PADS

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

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

16 04 97

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

NEW EVAPORATIVE (CHARCOAL) CANISTER PURGE LINE. ALL E38 AND E39 MODELE INTRODUCED INTO PRODUCTION APPROXIMATELY 3/97 *DB*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 740IL by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001262048.0
2000202046.7
1999610—
1998261035.9
1997192047.5
1996Viewing112050.0
1995124054.6
1994310—
1993910—

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.