Model year record

1999 BMW 740IA recalls & problems

The 1999 BMW 740IA has 2 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (1 complaint).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints2filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical systemJan 4, 1999

12v/24v/48v battery › Cables

Recall 99V0040001,615 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE THICKNESS OF THE MAIN POSITIVE ELECTRICAL CABLE (GENERATOR TO STARTER) INSULATION IS LESS THAN SPECIFIED, MAKING IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO BEING ABRADED OR CUT BY THE CLIP THAT SECURES THE CABLE TO THE GENERATOR.
Risk: THE CABLE INSULATION CAN BE WORN AWAY, EXPOSING THE WIRE. THE WIRE COULD CONTACT THE CLIP OR A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL APPLY A THICKNESS OF INSULATING TAPE TO THE CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE CLIP, AND INSTALL A REVISED CLIP.

Power trainJan 4, 1999

Automatic transmission

Recall 99V005000249 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 5HP24 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. PREMATURE WEAR OF THE RING GEAR CAN OCCUR, LEADING TO THE LOSS OF 1ST, 2ND, 3RD, AND REVERSE GEARS.
Risk: IF THIS PROBLEM OCCURS, THE CAR MAY NO LONGER OPERATE IN REVERSE, 1ST, 2ND, OR 3RD GEARS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

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*
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	1	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasoline	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

Fuel system, gasoline
LEAKING FUEL LINE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT CLOSE TO EXHAUST. LEAKING FUEL IS ALSO VAPORIZED AND FUMES GET INTO VEHICLE AND CAUSE DISCOMFORT AND NAUSEA. FUMES COULD IGNITE HARMING OCCUPANTS AND OTHERS ON THE ROADWAY. THIS IS VERY COMMON FOR OWNERS OF THE BMW E38 AND MANY OTHER MODELS. WHAT I HAVE FOUND IS A DEFECTIVE CLAMP/CLAMPS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON RIGHT HAND DRIVE MODELS. CONTACTED BMW NA FOR HELP ON ISSUE. NO HELP. *TR
Apr 20, 2009 · 127,000 miles
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
THE GAS PEDAL IS AT A POOR POSTION, MY WIFE PATRICIA AND MYSELF GET LEG CRAMPS FROM DRIVING OUR 740 IA AFTER A SHORT TIME.*JB
Jan 16, 2000 · 100 miles

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