Model year record

1995 BMW 740iL recalls & problems

The 1995 BMW 740iL has 4 safety recalls and 12 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (4 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints12filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 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.

Fuel system, gasolineDec 11, 1995

Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 95V23800018,000 vehicles

Problem: FUEL SEEPAGE CAN OCCUR BETWEEN A HOSE AND THE METAL FUEL LINE ON EITHER END OF THE HOSE RESULTING IN FUEL ODOR.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO FUEL HOSES, FOUR METAL FUEL LINES AND ASSOCIATED CLAMPS.

SuspensionOct 11, 1995

Rear

Recall 95V1920003,000 vehicles

Problem: THE LOWER SUSPENSION ARM MOUNTING EYE ON THE RIGHT SIDE REAR AXLE HUB CARRIER WAS PRODUCED WITH A CASTING FLAW.
Risk: IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE RIGHT SIDE REAR AXLE CARRIER EYE COULD CRACK AND BREAK WHILE DRIVING CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL AND INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR A CASTING FLAW IN THE RIGHT SIDE REAR AXLE CARRIER AND IF FOUND, REPLACE THE CARRIER.

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.

Fuel economy

740il

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingCooling system; Exhaust system › Emission control	4	0	0	—
VisibilityPower window devices and controls	3	0	2	—
Seat belts	1	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Seat heater/cooler	1	1	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	1	0	0	—
Electrical system	1	0	0	—
Steering	1	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Steering
WHEN I GET INTO MY CAR THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND I CAN'T GET IT UNLOCKED UNLESS I TURN ON AND OFF MY CAUTION LIGHTS OR MOVE THE BUTTON BACK AND FORTH ON THE CONSOLE THAT HAS AN A ON ONE END AND A M ON THE OTHER. AS SOON AS I GET OUT OF THE CAR IT LOCKS AND WON'T MOVE UNLESS I DO THAT AND I HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. IT JUST STARTED WITHIN THE LAST WEEK. I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS WILL CAUSE ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND IF I NEED TO LET THE CAR SIT UNTIL I GET IT FIXED? *TR
Jun 10, 2013 · 298,765 miles
Vehicle speed control
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND WAS PASSING A TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME AND HEARD A LOUD POP. I THOUGHT MY WINDSHIELD HAD BEEN HIT BY SOMETHING UNTIL I SAW THAT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE, SO I KEPT DRIVING. MY CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT SO I SLOWED DOWN. WHEN I GOT TO WORK I LOOKED AT MY CAR AND SAW THAT THE HOOD HAD AN ALMOST HOLE IN IT SO I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND MY BELTS GONE AND DAMAGE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE HOOD AND LINING. A FELLOW EMPLOYEE LOOKED AT IT FOR ME AND WE DISCOVERED THAT MY FAN HAD BEEN OBLITERATED AND A GREAT DEAL OF DAMAGE HAD BEEN DONE TO MY CAR. I CALLED AND HAD A TOW TRUCK TO PICK IT UP AFTER CALLING MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND WAS TOLD I COULDN'T FILE A CLAIM AS THERE WAS NO…
Mar 4, 2012 · 200,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
RADIATOR FAN EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. PIECES OF FAN FLEW THROUGHOUT ENGINE BAY (HOOD DENTED UPWARDS 2 INCHES) BROKEN PIECES OF FAN LODGED UNDER THROTTLE MECHANISM - WEDGED THROTTLE WIDE OPEN. CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELLERATE EVEN UNDER FULL BRAKING (TO LIMIT OF MY STRENGTH). HAD TO SHUT ENGINE OFF AND STEER OFF FREEWAY WITHOUT POWER STEERING OR BRAKES.
Jul 19, 2005 · 110,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL 95V238000 FOR FUEL HOSE LEAKAGE. THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED IN 1996 BUT FUEL BEGAN TO LEAK AGAIN. THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACED THE HOSES TWICE SINCE THE RECALL AND THEY ARE LEAKING AGAIN *AK *NLM
Oct 1, 2002 · 94,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
THE ENGINE COLLAPSED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BROKE PISTON, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE ROD AND CYLINDER TO FAIL. *JB
Apr 1, 2003
Visibility › Power window devices and controls1 injury
AMPUTATION OF FINGER IN BMW ELECTRIC WINDOW
Apr 12, 1999
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control
CLOGGED VENT TUBE AND EXPANSION TANK CAUSED EXCESS VACUUM WHICH COLLAPSED FUEL TANK. TANK CREASED AS A RESULT AND LEAKING GAS ALONG CREASE.*AK
Apr 5, 2002
Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/coolerFire
AFTER GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE AND RETURNING 35 MINUTES LATER, NOTICED WINDOW WAS SMOKY. AFTER OPENING DOOR, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT HEATED SEATS MELTED. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED, AND PUT FIRE OUT. *AK *YH
Feb 4, 2002

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