Model year record

1996 BMW 740iL recalls & problems

The 1996 BMW 740iL has 2 safety recalls and 11 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (3 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints11filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 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.

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

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/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	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Vehicle speed controlLinkages; Accelerator pedal	3	1	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly	3	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Brake fluid low warning › Lamp	2	1	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesHood › Latch	2	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingCooling system › Radiator assembly	2	0	1	—
Air bagsFrontal	1	1	0	—
Engine	1	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Engine
THE GAS TANK STARTED TO MAKE POPPING NOISES AND THUMPING SOUNDS. THEN WHEN I REALIZED SOMETHING IS WRONG WHEN THE GAS GAUGE STARTED READING 1/4 TANK WHEN IT WAS EMPTY, STRANGELY WHEN I WAS FILLING UP WITH GAS THE CAP WAS HARD TO REMOVE AND AS SOON AS I REMOVED THE CAP AIR WAS RUSHING IN. I RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE INTERSTATE WITHOUT ANY WARNING MANAGED TO GET THE CAR ON THE SHOULDER. LATER ON THE WAY TO WORK I STARTED SMELLING A STRONG GAS ODOR I ASSUMED IT WAS THE CARS SURROUNDING ME. WHEN I WENT ON MY LUNCH BREAK MY COWORKERS INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF GAS UNDER MY CAR, WHEN I GOT BACK TO WORK I STARTED TO INVESTIGATE WHAT HAPPENED AND MY TANK WAS IMPLODED AND DEVELOPED…
Mar 1, 2014 · 133,000 miles
Vehicle speed control
ANYTIME YOU ARE ACCELERATING THE THROTTLE CABLE WILL EITHER GET STUCK OR IF YOU LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL ITS WILL CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY UPON ENTERING THE HIGHWAY. THIS OCCURRED PRETTY REGULARLY UNTIL WE HAD THE THROTTLE CABLE REPLACED. *TR
Jun 10, 2008 · 179,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BMW 740IL. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. AS SHE TURNED THE KEY AND REMOVED IT FROM THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. SHE HAD TO REMOVE THE ENGINE FUSES FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC INSTALLED A NEW CYLINDER AND HOUSING. THREE WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO IS NOT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY STILL AT THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT…
Apr 28, 2008 · 203,000 miles
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE RPM'S WILL REV UP TO 3500 RPMS PREVENTING THE DRIVER FROM PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WITHOUT A POSSIBLE CRASH. DRIVER WOULD APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO SURGE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAIL. DEFECTIVE PARTS REPLACED. CAR WENT BY ITSELF TO 90 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. REPLACED FRONT THROTTLE BODY GASKET AND IDLE SPEED REGULATOR. *BF *NM
Feb 18, 2005 · 86,312 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly1 injury
THIS PROBLEM W/ RADIATOR IS VERY COMMON W/ THIS VEHICLE AND MANUFACTURER REFUSES ANY RESPONSIBILITY. *AK
Feb 14, 2002
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Oct 7, 2001
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
GAS TANK IMPLODED SUCKING ITSELF IN AND CAUSING GAS TO LEAK AND SPILL. TANK WAS REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2000. HOWEVER, PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THEN. ALSO, THERE ARE POPPING NOISES COMING FROM TANK AREA, WHICH MEANS THAT GAS IN TANK IS NOT PROPERLY VENTING,CAUSING A BUILD UP. TECHNICIANS HAVE HEARD THE NOISE, BUT ARE UNABLE TO RECTIFY IT WHEN IT'S NOT DOING IT.*AK
Sep 30, 2000
Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
HOOD CAME SMASHING INTO WINDSHIELD FRAME, BLOCKING VISIBILITY OF HIGHWAY. *AK
Nov 10, 2000

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