Model year record

1997 BMW 740i recalls & problems

The 1997 BMW 740i has 3 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (2 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints3filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SteeringMay 27, 2010

Linkages › Drag › Link › Connection

Recall 10E021000150 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT, WITHOUT WARNING, IN IMMEDIATE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: 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.

SuspensionAug 22, 1997

Front › Springs › Coil springs

Recall 97V14000029,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND LOWER SPRING MOUNTS.

Vehicle speed controlAug 19, 1997

Vehicle speed control

Recall 97V131000410,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingCooling system › Radiator assembly; Cooling system › Hoses/lines/piping/fittings	2	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Hoses/lines/piping/fittings
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEM. THE HOSE THAT WAS CONNECTED TO THE RADIATOR MELTED FROM THE HEAT THAT CAME FROM THE ENGINE.*AK
Mar 5, 2004 · 55,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
THERE SEEMS TO BE A COMMON DEFECT IN THE '1995-'01 BMW 740 SERIES GAS TANK. THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT OCCURS THAT CREATES A VACCUM IN THE TANK WHICH THEN MAKES THE TANK IMPLODE. IT JUST CRUSH IN UPON ITSELF UNTIL IT POPS OR A SEAM BREAKS SOMEWHERE. THIS HAPPENED TO ME YESTERDAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND HAD 17 GALLONS OF GAS SPEWING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I DIDN'T NOTICE IT UNTIL I WAS IN MY PARKING GARAGE WHICH IS IN A 49 STORY BUILDING. THE JERSEY CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME THEN BROUGHT IN THEIR HAZMAT TEAM. THEY RECOVERED/CLEANED UP MAYBE 7 GALLONS WHILE IN THE GARAGE SO ABOUT 10 GALLONS SPILLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT…
Oct 28, 2003 · 79,375 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
UPPER NIPPLE WITH HOSE CONNECTOR ON RADIATOR IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND BREAKS OFF WITH FRAGMENTS LEFT IN THE HOSE. THIS REALLY SHOULD NOT BE MADE OF PLASTIC AS INTENSELY HOT WATER PASSES THROUGH IT ALL THE TIME. THIS AMOUNTS TO AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR.*AK
May 29, 2003

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.