The 2001 BMW 740iL has 2 safety recalls and 26 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (6 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints26filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Steering › Linkages › Drag › Link › Connection
NHTSA recall 10E021000 · May 27, 2010 · 150 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.
Tires › Sidewall
NHTSA recall 01V001000 · Jan 4, 2001 · 3,167 vehicles
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 18-INCH TIRES. (18-INCH TIRES ARE STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON THE M5 AND OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT ON THE 7-SERIES MODELS). THE MACHINE USED TO MOUNT AND INFLATE THE TIRES ON THE WHEELS AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT MAY HAVE DAMAGED THE SIDEWALL OF ONE OR MORE TIRES. THE DAMAGED AREA COULD WEAKEN TO THE POINT WHERE A SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR FROM THE TIRE COULD OCCUR.
Risk: HANDLING AND CONTROL WOULD BE DRASTICALLY AFFECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIRES AND IF DAMAGE FROM THE MOUNTING MACHINE IS FOUND, THE TIRE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 10, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
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
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Air bags Frontal; Side/window
6
1
0
1
—
Electrical system 12v/24v/48v battery; Instrument cluster/panel
5
0
0
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Cooling system › Radiator assembly; Cooling system
5
0
0
1
65,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline
3
0
0
0
87,000 mi
Power train Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
3
0
0
0
120,000 mi
Vehicle speed control
2
0
0
0
—
Steering
2
0
0
0
—
Tires
1
0
0
1
—
Seats Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
1
0
1
0
—
Electronic stability control (esc)
1
0
0
0
—
Suspension
1
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
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
Jun 14, 2019 · 142,325 milesService brakes "TAKATA RECALL" MY CAR BRAKE LIGHTS JUST STARTED TO STAY ELIMINATED WHEN I AM DRIVING. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO ADJUSTS ON ITS ON UP AND DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THE IS WHEN THE VECHILE IS IN MOTION ON ANY HIGHWAY
Sep 3, 2018 · 71,000 milesAir bags I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THAT THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULES IN THE BMW 7 SERIES FROM MODEL YEAR 1995 TO 2001 HAVE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULES THAT ARE FAILING AT A VERY HIGH RATE, LEAVING OWNERS WITHOUT AIRBAGS AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON. THE NEW MODULE FROM BMW IS $1400. THIS IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY TO CARS IN COLD CLIMATES.
Jun 1, 2010Electrical system LCD PIXEL FAILURE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WARNING INDICATORS UNABLE TO SEE SAFETY AND ENGINE WARNINGS
Jul 7, 2016 · 101,000 milesVehicle speed control TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 740IL. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000. .. UPDATED 12/2216 *BF *TR
Mar 10, 2016Fuel/propulsion system TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 740IL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG FUEL ODOR ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Sep 2, 2015 · 91,000 milesUnknown or other NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAILS (COMPUTER), I CHECKED ONLINE SEEM A LOT CAR OWNERS HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEMS WHICH NOT EFFECTING NAVIGATION ONLY ALSO EFFECT THE AUDIO SYSTEM AND DRAIN THE BATTERY. MECHANIC ADVICE ME TO REPLACE THE BATTERY AND I DID, PROBLEM STILL THE SAME. FOR A HIGH END CAR WITH LOW MILES SEEMS NOT RIGHT. A NEW COMPUTER NAVIGATION SYSTEM COST OVER $2000.00. SEEMS THE GERMAN DESIGN THOSE SYSTEMS TO FAIL TO KEEP THEIR BUSINESS GOING.
Jul 18, 2015 · 84,000 milesElectronic stability control (esc) START THE CAR POWER STEERING FROZE, I HAVE SHUT OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT FIX THE PROBLEM OR I HAVE TO REPEAT. SOMETIME WHILE DRIVING STEERING FREEZE. I HAD HOSES LEAK, REPLACED HOSES STILL HAVE MORE LEAKS. WHILE DRIVING CAR UNSTABLE, I CHANGED TIRES PROBLEM REMAIN THE SAME. I CHECKED ALL SUSPENSION COMPONENTS AND ALL IN GOOD CONDITION.
Jan 5, 2015 · 200,000 milesSteering THREE YEARS AGO I BOUGHT AN AFTERMARKET CENTER STEERING LINK FOR MY CAR....MADE IN CHINA. AFTER THREE YEARS, I DETECTED SIGNIFICANT PLAY IN THE CENTER LINK WHERE THERE SHOULD BE NONE. I ORDER A SECOND ONE AND REPLACED IT. AFTER THREE MONTHS I DETECTED PLAY IN THE STEERING LINK, NOT AS BAD AS AFTER THREE YEARS, BUT THERE SHOULD BE ZERO PLAY IN THIS PART. I REPLACED IT TODAY WITH AND OEM PART AND WANTED TO REPORT THE DEFECTIVE PART WHICH IS BEING SOLD IN HIGH VOLUME ON THE INTERNET (EBAY). I BELIEVE SHOULD THIS PART FAIL COMPLETELY, IT WOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING AND COULD RESULT IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I WILL RETAIN FOR A WHILE THE PART I REMOVED IF SOMEONE IS INTERESTED IN THIS ISSUE. *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.