1997 BMW 740I
3 recalls, 3 complaints - 17 TSBs
10E021000 May 27, 2010
STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION
Defect Description
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.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT, WITHOUT WARNING, IN IMMEDIATE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy
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.
97V140000 Aug 22, 1997
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
Defect Description
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 ... Read more
Consequence
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.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND LOWER SPRING MOUNTS.
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.
Complaint Statistics
3 total complaints
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS | 1 |
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
Mar 5, 2004
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEM. THE HOSE THAT WAS CONNECTED TO THE RADIATOR MELTED FROM THE HEAT THAT CAME FROM THE ENGINE.*AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Oct 28, 2003
Incident date: Oct 28, 2003
THERE SEEMS TO BE A COMMON DEFECT IN THE '1995-'01 BMW 740 SERIES GAS TANK. THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT OCCURS THAT CREATES A VACCUM IN THE TANK WHICH THEN MAKES THE TANK IMPLODE. IT JUST CRUSH IN UPON ITSELF UNTIL IT POPS OR A SEAM BREAKS SOMEWHERE. THIS HAPPENED TO ME YESTERDAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING T... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
May 30, 2003
Incident date: May 29, 2003
UPPER NIPPLE WITH HOSE CONNECTOR ON RADIATOR IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND BREAKS OFF WITH FRAGMENTS LEFT IN THE HOSE. THIS REALLY SHOULD NOT BE MADE OF PLASTIC AS INTENSELY HOT WATER PASSES THROUGH IT ALL THE TIME. THIS AMOUNTS TO AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR.*AK
Technical Service Bulletins, 1997 BMW 740I
17 manufacturer communications from 15 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 |
| 126200 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH | 2 |
| 114200 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 1 |
| 355100 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS | 1 |
| 045200 SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:PADS | 1 |
| 061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| 030000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1 |
| 138000 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM | 1 |
B510819
Jan 16, 2024
133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B510819
Jan 16, 2024
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B122817
Dec 1, 2017
118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME (FOR O2 SENSORS): Due to DME software error, the following oxygen sensors plausibility fault codes may be stored in DME 5.2.1 control module:
B122817
Dec 1, 2017
060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME (FOR O2 SENSORS): Due to DME software error, the following oxygen sensors plausibility fault codes may be stored in DME 5.2.1 control module:
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.
16 01 98
Mar 1, 1998
070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
INFORMATION ON EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL AND FUEL FILLER CAP / FILLER DOOR LABELS. *YC
64 01 98
Mar 1, 1998
138000 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
REPLACEMENT HEATER CORES FOR E38 VEHICLES. *YC
16 04 97
Feb 1, 1998
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
NEW EVAPORATIVE (CHARCOAL) CANISTER PURGE LINE. ALL E38 AND E39 MODELE INTRODUCED INTO PRODUCTION APPROXIMATELY 3/97 *DB*YC
34 01 98
Feb 1, 1998
030000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT MOMENTARY EVENT WHERE THE BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT IMMEDIATLELY RETURN. MODELS BUILT PRIOR TO 3/97 *DB*YC
62 01 98
Feb 1, 1998
045200 SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:PADS
CONDITION WITH BRAKE PAD WARNING STAYS ILLUMINATED AFTER BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT. *YC
04 01 98
Feb 1, 1998
980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SUBJECT ON TANK VENTILATION LEAK COUPLERS. *YC
84 10 97
Nov 1, 1997
980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
INSTALLATION ON MOUNTING BRACKETS FOR CMT 5000/CPT 6000 PHONES. *AK
72/07/96
Dec 1, 1996
355100 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
CHILD AIRBAG LETTER, WARNING LABEL AND SAFETY REFERENCE CARD. *TW
MSG0350
Oct 10, 1996
126200 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN THAT THE ILLUMINATION FOR THE BUTTONS ON THE MULTI FUNCTION STEERING WHEEL FLICKERS. *TW
MSG0149
Oct 4, 1996
126200 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
VEHICLES MAY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE DIMMER CIRCUIT - VEHICLES RELEASED FROM THE VPCS STARTING 10-04-96 HAVE DISABLED DIMMER SWITCHES. *TW
61/17/96
Oct 1, 1996
114200 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
FLICKERING ILLUMINATION OR FLICKERING INDICATOR LAMP IN MULTI-FUNCTION STEERING WHEEL (MFL) SWITCHES. *TW
00/11/96R
Oct 1, 1996
980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NEW VEHICLE PREPARATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS. *TW
BMW 740I - All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the BMW 740I across all model years (1993, 2025).
46
Total Recalls
178
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 | 2 | 0 | View |
| 2024 | 4 | 4 | View |
| 2023 | 8 | 14 | View |
| 2021 | 2 | 3 | View |
| 2020 | 2 | 1 | View |
| 2019 | 1 | 4 | 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 (current) | 3 | 3 | |
| 1996 | 3 | 1 | View |
| 1995 | 5 | 12 | View |
| 1994 | 2 | 9 | View |
| 1993 | 2 | 24 | View |