1994 BMW 740I
2 recalls, 9 complaints - 4 TSBs
97V131000 Aug 19, 1997
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Defect Description
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 SEP... Read more
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
96V111000 Jul 1, 1996
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Defect Description
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.
Consequence
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ON, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION. FOLLOWING DRIVERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STOPPING, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
Complaint Statistics
9 total complaints
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 4 |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 23, 2008
Incident date: Oct 21, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BMW 740I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS CRUISE CONTROL LOCKED UP AT FULL THROTTLE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO OVER 100 MPH WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKES, AS WELL AS ENGAGED THE EMERGENC... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Aug 6, 2007
Incident date: Jan 1, 1901
LTR FROM SENATOR ON BEHALF OF CONSUMER REGARDING THE GOVERNMENT ALLOWING BMW TO IMPORT AUTOMOBILES INTO THE US MARKET WITH A DEFECTIVE ENGINE**CC THE CONSUMER OWNS A 1994 BMW 740I WHICH HAD A PROBLEM KNOWS AS A LEAK DOWN PROBLEM WHICH RESULTED IN THE ENGINE BLOCK HAVING TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUME... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Jan 11, 2007
Incident date: Jan 1, 1901
1994 740I BMW LEAK DOWN PROBLEM THAT DESTROYED THE ENGINE**CC THE LEAK DOWN FLAW CAUSED THE ENGINE TO DEVELOP WORN LININGS AND EXHIBIT A ROUGH IDLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER USED NIKASIL, AN ALUMINUM, NICKEL AND SILICON ALLOY TO LINE THE CYLINDERS OF THE M60 ENGINE. THE CROSS HATCHED NI... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
May 18, 2004
Incident date: May 17, 2004
SINCE 1999 MY 1994 740I WITH 41,367 MILES HAS INTERIM CAR SHAKES ON THE STREET AND AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. FOR TWO YEARS THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS NOTHING AND WE SHOULD REPLACE THE MOUNTS. *AK NOW IN 2004 THE ENGINE SHAKES REAL BAD, LACKS POWER, AND A LOT OF GREY SMOKE IS COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST S... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Jan 23, 2004
Incident date: Jan 16, 2004
I HAVE LISTED A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THAT ARE EQUAL TO THE TYPE OF PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING. TELL IF THIS TRUE AND WHAT CAN I DO. I HAVE A 1994 BMW 740I WITH 89,000 MILES. 1) 740I M60 SLIGHT SHAKING VIBRATING AT IDLE HELLO, MY 740I MODEL 1994 95,000 MILES (BUILT SPET. 1993) IS SHAKING A LITTL... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
May 23, 2002
Incident date: May 1, 2002
WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, IT ROLLS BACK LIKE VECHICLE IS STILL IN REVERSE. DEALER CONTACTED.*JB REPLACED BUSHINGS AND IDLER ARM AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT. LEFT VALVE COVER GASKET REPLACED. REPLACED POWER STEERING RETURN CLAMP. REPLACED FRONT CONVERTER TO WELD. TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT.... Read more
SUSPENSION
May 23, 2002
Incident date: May 1, 2002
WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, IT ROLLS BACK LIKE VECHICLE IS STILL IN REVERSE. DEALER CONTACTED.*JB REPLACED BUSHINGS AND IDLER ARM AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT. LEFT VALVE COVER GASKET REPLACED. REPLACED POWER STEERING RETURN CLAMP. REPLACED FRONT CONVERTER TO WELD. TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT.... Read more
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
May 23, 2002
Incident date: May 1, 2002
WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, IT ROLLS BACK LIKE VECHICLE IS STILL IN REVERSE. DEALER CONTACTED.*JB REPLACED BUSHINGS AND IDLER ARM AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT. LEFT VALVE COVER GASKET REPLACED. REPLACED POWER STEERING RETURN CLAMP. REPLACED FRONT CONVERTER TO WELD. TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT.... Read more
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
Sep 21, 1999
Incident date: Sep 13, 1999
DRIVER TURNED ON TO HEAVILY TRAVELED STATE HIGHWAY WHEN STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN TIRES. CAR TRAVELED ACROSS HIGHWAY AND CAME TO REST JUST SHORT OF DITCH. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR.
EPA Fuel Economy, 1994 BMW 740I
| Trim / Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | Fuel Type | Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive) | 15.0 | 21.0 | 17.0 | Premium | $4,450 |
CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Midsize Cars)
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.
Technical Service Bulletins, 1994 BMW 740I
4 manufacturer communications from 3 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 355100 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS | 1 |
| 355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL | 1 |
| 110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| 133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 1 |
B510819
Jan 16, 2024
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B510819
Jan 16, 2024
133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B122917
Dec 1, 2017
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1 control module.
72/07/96
Dec 1, 1996
355100 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
CHILD AIRBAG LETTER, WARNING LABEL AND SAFETY REFERENCE CARD. *TW
BMW 740I - All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the BMW 740I across all model years (1993, 2025).
49
Total Recalls
186
Total Complaints
0
Investigations
14
Reported Crashes
7
Reported Fires
0
Reported Deaths
BMW 740I - Year by Year
Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 2024 | 5 | 4 | View |
| 2023 | 9 | 19 | View |
| 2021 | 2 | 3 | View |
| 2020 | 2 | 1 | View |
| 2019 | 1 | 7 | View |
| 2018 | 0 | 6 | View |
| 2017 | 0 | 11 | View |
| 2016 | 0 | 14 | View |
| 2015 | 1 | 1 | View |
| 2014 | 1 | 1 | View |
| 2013 | 1 | 1 | View |
| 2012 | 1 | 6 | View |
| 2001 | 4 | 24 | View |
| 2000 | 2 | 18 | View |
| 1999 | 1 | 9 | View |
| 1998 | 1 | 12 | View |
| 1997 | 3 | 3 | View |
| 1996 | 3 | 1 | View |
| 1995 | 5 | 12 | View |
| 1994 (current) | 2 | 9 | |
| 1993 | 2 | 24 | View |