RoadVitals

1998 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.
26
Latest Apr 9, 2015
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.
1
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
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 26 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 BMW 740IL, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 11 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

  • Engine817.4%
  • Fuel system715.2%
  • Electrical613.0%
  • Brakes48.7%
  • Driver assistance48.7%
  • Visibility24.3%
  • Body & structure24.3%
  • Interior & seats24.3%

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

1 campaign 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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 26
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Apr 9, 2015

THE ALARM SYSTEM RUNS DOWN THE BATTERY AND THE HEAD LIGHTS BLANKS CONSTANTLY WHILE CAR IS RUNNING ALSO BACK TAILLIGHT BLANK OFF ON PASSAGE SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10704844
Incident
Mar 24, 2015
Mileage
97,268 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Apr 9, 2015

THE ALARM SYSTEM RUNS DOWN THE BATTERY AND THE HEAD LIGHTS BLANKS CONSTANTLY WHILE CAR IS RUNNING ALSO BACK TAILLIGHT GOES OFF ON ON ON PASSAGE SIDE . *TR

NHTSA ID
10704840
Incident
Mar 24, 2015
Mileage
97,386 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Feb 25, 2015

I WAS DRIVING MY BMW 740IL ON 2-17-2015 WHEN AFTER GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND ACCELERATING, THERE WAS A LOUD BOOM NOISE AND BLACK PIECES SHOT OUT ONTO THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME. I IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF THE FIRST EXIT ONLY TO FIND THAT 1.) THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP AFTER I APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND 2.) THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN WHEN MY FOOT WAS OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I WENT THROUGH TWO INTERSECTIONS, UNABLE TO STOP, BEFORE TURNING INTO A BIG DRIVEWAY WHERE I SET THE SHIFTER INTO REVERSE, WHICH SLOWED THE CAR DOWN, AND THEN I PUT IT INTO PARK. STEAM WAS SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND WHEN I CHECKED UNDERNEATH IT, I SAW THE BLADES OF THE FAN BEHIND THE RADIATOR HAD ALL BEEN STRIPPED OFF THE ROTOR WITH PIECES VIOLENTLY SCATTERED AROUND THE ENGINE AREA. ALSO, THE HOSE TO THE COOLANT RESERVOIR BECAME DETACHED AND THE HOOD RECEIVED TWO DENTS FROM THE INSIDE WHEN THE FAN EXPLODED. THE CAR HAS SINCE BEEN TOWED, AND REPAIRS HAVE NOT YET BEEN STARTED. THE WHOLE SITUATION WAS UNBELIEVABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN TIP-TOP SHAPE AND THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS SIGNS THAT ANYTHING WAS INHERENTLY WRONG. LUCKILY NOTHING HAPPENED BUT PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR WORSE BY WHAT HAPPENED ON THAT DAY. PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO CONTACT ME SHOULD YOU WISH TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO REPAIRS. I ALSO TOOK SEVERAL PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE. *JS

NHTSA ID
10690594
Incident
Feb 17, 2015
Mileage
79,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 16, 2012

I HAD REFULED AND STARTED ON THE HIGHWAY ,I HEARD A THUMPING SOUND .PULLED OVER COULD NOT FIQURE OUT WHERE THE SOUND WAS COMING FROM. WHEN I REACHED MY DESTANATION I SMELLED GAS. I LOOK UNDER THE CAR AND THE GAS TANK WAS SUNKED INWARD AND GAS WAS EVERYWHERE.I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING.I KNOW THIS IS RECALL SITUATION. BMW WOULD NEVER KNOWLY NOT RECALL SUCH A DANGOUS PROBLEM.THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE MINOR,BUT SUCKED IN GAS TANKS ISNT ONE OF THEM. I CANT AFFORD TO HAVE THE REPAIR. THE ONLY CAR I HAVE. IM OUT OF OPTIONS.PLEASE RECALL THE SUNK IN GAS TANK PROBLEM ON MY 1998 740IL , ITS MY FIRST BMW .I DONT WANT IT TO BE MY LAST. I LOVE THE CAR AND THINK BMW MAKES ONE OF THE FINEST AND SAFE CARS OUT THERE.SO MONEY SHOULD NOT BE A REPLACEMENT FOR SAFETY. THANKS, SORRY FOR SPELLING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10484981
Incident
Nov 2, 2012
Mileage
170,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 15, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW 740IL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN CHANGING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE RING GEAR IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V005000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ID
10440098
Incident
Dec 15, 2008
Mileage
100,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 15, 2011

FUEL TANK "TIN CANS" WHEN LOWER ON FUEL. FEAR DEGRADATION OF FUEL TANK. FROM OTHER SOURCES, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH BMWS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10419549
Incident
Aug 12, 2011
Mileage
120,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 1, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW 740IL. WHILE REFUELING HE NOTICED GAS WAS LEAKING FORM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. ONCE HE STOPPED PUMPING GAS IT STOPPED LEAKING. THIS FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER HE WOULD REFUEL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. OVER TIME HE BEGAN TO HEAR A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK WHILE DRIVING OR STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A SPLIT ON ONE OF THE SEEMS FOR THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FUEL TANK WAS REPAIRED. THE THUMPING FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. THE THUMPING FAILURE CONTINUES TO RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ID
10353331
Incident
Jul 1, 2010
Mileage
178,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Apr 14, 2010

THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK. ALL DOORS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK. IF YOU PULL ON ANY OF THE DOORS DOOR HANDLE TWICE FROM THE INSIDE IT SHOULD OPEN. ALL OF THIS HAPPEN WHEN THE ALARM ACTIVATED WITHOUT ANY REASON. ALARM STOPPED WORKING AND DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10325599
Incident
Apr 10, 2009
Mileage
200,000 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

B122917

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

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

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:

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—
1998Viewing261035.9
1997192047.5
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.