RoadVitals

1997 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.
19
Latest Sep 5, 2018
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 19 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 BMW 740IL, most frequently naming the suspension, engine and steering categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 16 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

  • Suspension622.2%
  • Engine518.5%
  • Steering414.8%
  • Driver assistance27.4%
  • Airbags27.4%
  • Fuel system27.4%
  • Brakes27.4%
  • Other / unspecified13.7%

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 19
BrakesDriver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 5, 2018

TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT. BMW SERVICE CENTER SAYS THAT THEY CAN'T COMMUNICATE WITH MY VEHICLE THEREBY CAN'T DIAGNOSE PROBLEM(S). VEHICLE STATIONARY IN SHOP.

NHTSA ID
11124646
Incident
Aug 21, 2018
Mileage
137,117 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 23, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BMW 740IL. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR POTHOLE, THE VEHICLE SHOOK ABNORMALLY. ADDITIONALLY THE TIE ROD FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS ALSO AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BOTTOM SPRINGS WERE FRACTURED. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. UPDATED 04/19/17 LJ *TR

NHTSA ID
10909327
Incident
Aug 1, 2016
Mileage
39,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 12, 2016

I WENT TO THE BMW DEALER AND THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE NOTHING IN THE COMPUTER I THINK THAT MY SAFETY IS FIRST.THANK YOU

NHTSA ID
10895334
Incident
Aug 12, 2016
SteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 28, 2014

STEERING AND OVER ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS COMPROMISED FOR NO REASON FEELS LIKE IT IS DISCONNECTING AND LOOSE CLANKING NOISES FORM FRONT SUSPENSION ALL THE TIME ON ALL SURFACES ALSO A SQUEAKY OLD BED FRAME NOISE APPEARS . CONCERNED ABOUT FAMILY SAFETY THE VEHICLE IS WELL CARED FOR. FEELS LIKE A SLOPPY MESSY FUMBLING INTERACTION BETWEEN CAR AND STEERING WHEEL ALSO VEERS RANDOMLY AS IF IT WAS DETACHED FROM THE STEERING SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10639601
Incident
Jul 18, 2014
Mileage
131,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 28, 2014

STEERING AND OVER ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS COMPROMISED FOR NO REASON FEELS LIKE IT IS DISCONNECTING AND LOOSE CLANKING NOISES FORM FRONT SUSPENSION ALL THE TIME ON ALL SURFACES ALSO A SQUEAKY OLD BED FRAME NOISE APPEARS . CONCERNED ABOUT FAMILY SAFETY THE VEHICLE IS WELL CARED FOR. FEELS LIKE A SLOPPY MESSY FUMBLING INTERACTION BETWEEN CAR AND STEERING WHEEL ALSO VEERS RANDOMLY AS IF IT WAS DETACHED FROM THE STEERING SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10639599
Incident
Jul 18, 2014
Mileage
13,100 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 20, 2014

MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AT A CERTIFIED USED DEALERSHIP. WE FUELED IT UP AND DROVE IT AROUND THAT NIGHT AND PARKED IT AT OUR HOME. THE NEXT MORNING IT SMELLED TERRIBLY OF GASOLINE SO I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR. THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK WAS CRUSHED IN AND IT WAS POURING GASOLINE ALL OVER THE DRIVEWAY. THEIR WAS A PUDDLE APPROXIMATELY 3 FEET WIDE UNDER THE CAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE SHOCKED. WE BOTH ASSUMED THAT THEY NEVER FILLED THE TALK SO THE PROBLEM WASN'T KNOWN. THEY REPLACED THE TANK FREE OF CHARGE AND ONCE AGAIN I FILLED THE TANK AND DROVE IT AROUND FOR THE WEEKEND. I NOTICED THE GASOLINE SMELL AGAIN AND LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THE TANK CRUSHED IN AGAIN AND THE FUEL LEAKING OUT. I RAN A GOOGLE SEARCH ON THIS AND FOUND OUT THAT I WAS NOT ALONE. THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH A PURGE LINE THAT CAUSES THE TALK TO IMPLODE ON ITSELF. I AM VERY SURPRISED TO NOT FIND A RECALL ON THIS. I WOULD THINK THAT AVOIDING A CAR FIRE WOULD BE A CONCERN FOR THE NHTSA. I HOPE WITH ENOUGH COMPLAINTS THEY FORCE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10583779
Incident
Apr 20, 2014
Mileage
68,158 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Aug 13, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BMW 740IL. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE, BUT THE BRAKES WERE NOT EFFECTIVE. ALSO, THE COIL SPRING MADE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V140000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS), WHICH WAS ISSUED IN THE SPRING OF 1997. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 115,000. UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW UPDATED 09/19/08. *JB

NHTSA ID
10238016
Incident
Aug 12, 2006
Mileage
72,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 19, 2008
Fire reported

CAR WAS RUNNING FINE, WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE CAR SHUT OFF HAD A REALLY STRONG ELECTRICAL SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. OPENED UP THE HOOD AND HAD A FLAME DOWN AT THE THERMOSTAT AREA. QUICKLY PUT IT OUT AND PUSHED THE CAR OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD TO HAVE A TOW TRUCK COME TOW THE CAR AND BRING MY FAMILY OUT OF THE FREEZING COLD AS WELL. THE THERMOSTAT AND WIRING FROM THE ECU DOWN TO THE THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS A FUSE THAT HAD BLOWN IN THE MAIN ENGINE HARNESS. OLD PART WAS DISPOSED OF AS WELL AS THE WIRING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10218592
Incident
Feb 15, 2007
Mileage
134,043 mi

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

B122817

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME (FOR O2 SENSORS): Due to DME software error, the following oxygen sensors plausibility fault codes may be stored in DME 5.2.1 control module:

B122917

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

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

64 01 98

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

REPLACEMENT HEATER CORES FOR E38 VEHICLES. *YC

16 01 98

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

INFORMATION ON EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL AND FUEL FILLER CAP / FILLER DOOR LABELS. *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
1997Viewing192047.5
1996112050.0
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.