Bmw 740 problems
The BMW E38 is the third generation of the BMW 7 Series luxury cars and was produced from 1994 until 2001. The E38 replaced the E32 7 Series and was produced with petrol and turbo-diesel straight-six and V8 engines, along with a petrol V12 flagship model. Three wheelbase lengths were available — short (i), long (iL) and Limousine (L7).
The E38 was the first car available with curtain airbags. It was also the first European car to offer satellite navigation and the first BMW to offer an in-built television. The E38 was the first 7 Series to be available with a diesel engine and the last to be available with a manual transmission.
In 2001, the E38 was replaced by the E65 7 Series.
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Bmw 740 model years
Common Bmw 740 problems
The BMW 740 is a luxury vehicle that has been known to experience several common problems based on complaints from its owners. One of the most significant issues reported is related to the engine, specifically with the radiator stopping to work. This problem has been reported in the 2001 model year, with an average cost to fix estimated at $1,400 and an average mileage of 104,000 miles.
Another set of problems is related to the suspension system, particularly the air suspension of the BMW 740Li. This complex system consists of numerous components, including air springs, air lines, and the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), which are prone to wearing out or being damaged. Some of the most frequently-mentioned air suspension problems for this model include leaking air springs, rear suspension failure, ECU faults, and leaking air lines.
The leaking air springs are made of flexible rubber and are vulnerable to getting punctures, cracks, or dry rot, which can cause air leaks and overwork the air compressor, potentially leading to early failure. The rear suspension failure can make the car difficult to handle and affect its stopping distance. ECU faults can cause total system failure, while leaking air lines can cause the compressor to overwork to compensate, leading to further issues.
In addition to these problems, the 740Li suspension system may display early warning signs, such as compressor noise, a sagging or leaning appearance, nose diving during braking, long stopping distances, and a bouncy ride. These signs may indicate a problem with the air suspension before the diagnostic system picks it up.
A third common problem with the BMW 740, particularly the 740i or 740 Li models, is the infamous oil filter gasket leak. This issue can lead to oil leaks, which prevent the engine oil from properly lubricating the engine and can cause oil starvation, leading to a complete breakdown of the pistons and metal components.
Lastly, the 2016 model year of the BMW 7 Series, including the 740, has been reported to have several common problems, such as radiator faults, engine overheating, sunroof issues, and digital instrument cluster failures.
These common problems with the BMW 740 highlight the importance of regular maintenance and inspections to ensure the longevity and reliability of this luxury vehicle.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Bmw 740 years
We have researched Bmw problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Bmw 740 cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Bmw 740 model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Bmw 740 model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Bmw 740 years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Bmw 740 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Bmw 740 , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Electrical system problems
- Air bags problems
- Power train problems
- Fuel system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Bmw 740 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by 740 model years
A total of 4 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by 740 model years
There were a total of 4 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by 740 model years
There were a total of 2 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 39 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Bmw 740 . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Bmw 740 vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Bmw 740 1997
- Date Of Incident: 2018-05-09
- Date Complaint: 2018-06-07
- VIN: WBAGJ8320VD
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BMW 740. AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO START THE ENGINE, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR PANEL AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS IMMEDIATELY NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FERMAN BMW (31400 US HWY 19 NORTH, PALM HARBOR, FL), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE SPONTANEOUS AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED AND NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000. *TT UPDATED 9/24/18*JB
Bmw 740 2001
- Date Of Incident: 2016-08-19
- Date Complaint: 2016-09-15
- VIN: WBAGH83441D
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 740. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS NOT OPERATIONAL. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL IN 2012, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED IN AUGUST OF 2016. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Bmw 740 1997
- Date Of Incident: 2009-04-06
- Date Complaint: 2014-03-17
- VIN: WBAGF8320VD
- Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATS
- Summary: I CONTACTED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AFTER RECEIVING NOTICE OF "RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 13V-564: FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT" WHICH APPLIES TO ANOTHER BMW VEHICLE I OWN(2006 X5). I EXPLAINED THAT I OWN A 1997 740I: XXXXXX WHICH HAS THE IDENTICAL ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT AS IDENTIFIED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 13V-564: THIS ISSUE WAS DIAGNOSED BY COOPER BMW, EDMOND OK ON APRIL 6, 2009, AND MORE SPECIFICALLY ON NOVEMBER 26, 2010: ?CRACKS IN PASS FRONT SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT ISTA SHORT TEST DONE AND VERIFIED SRS LAMP FOR PASS FRONT SEAT SENSOR-EST GIVEN FOR REPAIR? I HAVE CONTACTED BMW ON TWO OCCASIONS AND PROVIDED DOCUMENTATION OF THIS IDENTICAL ISSUE AND HAVE BEEN REFUSED ANY CONSIDERATION FOR THIS CLAIM. MY MOST RECENT CORRESPONDENCE WAS FEBRUARY 19, 2014 VIA EMAIL WHICH CONTAINED A SCANNED IMAGE OF THE DIAGNOSIS OF SAID ISSUE FROM BMW DEALER, FROM WHICH I'VE RECEIVED NO ANSWER TO DATE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Bmw 740 1995
- Date Of Incident: 2012-04-24
- Date Complaint: 2012-04-24
- Fire: 1
- VIN: WBAGF6324SD
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING MY CAR 1995 740I BMW STARTED SMOKING FROM THE GLOVE BOX AND THE CAR DASH LIGHT FLASHED AND SMOKE CAME FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HOOD. I CHECK AND THE WIRE HORNEST WAS ON FIRE. *TR
Bmw 740 1995
- Date Of Incident: 2011-03-01
- Date Complaint: 2011-11-07
- VIN: WBAGF6322SD
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 740I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LEAKED WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL ALSO LEAKED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 95V238000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 153,000.
Bmw 740 1997
- Date Of Incident: 2009-07-20
- Date Complaint: 2009-08-02
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: OUR CAR IS BROKEN AND WE HAVE NO MONEY TO FIX IT. *TR
Bmw 740 1998
- Date Of Incident: 2005-08-25
- Date Complaint: 2005-09-02
- VIN: WBAGJ8328WD
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: DT: THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A FEW MINUTES LATER. THE CONSUMER WENT INTO ANOTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC, BUT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED GOING INTO A COMPLETE CIRCLE. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THEY CHECKED THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND DIDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. THEY HOOKED THE VEHICLE TO DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND IT DIDN'T SHOW ANY CODES. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 25, 2005. ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE THEY REPLACED A PRESSURE HOSE ON THE POWER STEERING. *JB
Bmw 740 1993
- Date Of Incident: 2005-01-06
- Date Complaint: 2005-03-09
- Fire: 1
- VIN: WBAGD8321PD
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: AFTER PARKING FOR 5 MINUTES OR LESS THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. AN INDEPENDENT INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE WAS AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT IN THE WIRING HARNESS.*AK
Bmw 740 1998
- Date Of Incident: 2003-02-03
- Date Complaint: 2003-02-07
- VIN: WBAGJ8329WD
- Components: EQUIPMENT
- Summary: AFTER JACKING THE VEHICLE UP, THE JACK SUDDENLY COLASPED. CONSUMER FOOT WAS ALMOST INJURED AS A RESULT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
Bmw 740 1998
- Date Of Incident: 2002-11-26
- Date Complaint: 2002-12-09
- Crash: 1
- VIN: YU1FWH718N2
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN HIT AT 40MPH IN THE FRONT CENTER OF THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Bmw 740 2001
- Date Of Incident: 2002-08-25
- Date Complaint: 2002-08-29
- Fire: 1
- VIN: NOT AVAILAB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: SMELLED SMOKE IN CAR BEFORE STARTING ENGINE. GOT OUT/ OPENED PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, AND SAW FIRE COMING OUT DOWN NEAR THE SEAT AREA. TOWED TO BMW, AND THEY STATED A SWITCH MAY HAVE BURNED OUT AND CAUSED THIS FIRE. WHEN AIR GETS TO FIRE IT IGNITES. NORMALLY FIRE WOULD BURN OUT BUT SINCE THE DOOR WAS OPENED AIR GOT TO WIRE AND IGNITED A FLAME. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Bmw 740 1996
- Date Of Incident: 2001-06-05
- Date Complaint: 2001-06-07
- VIN: WBAGJ8324TD
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: PLASTIC FUEL TANK EXPERIENCED A CRACK IN CENTER , CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE INTEGRITY OF THE GAS TANK MATERIAL WAS INSUFFICIENT TO WITHSTAND NEGATIVE PRESSURE FROM FUEL PUMP COVERING TANK TO CONTRACT AND CRUSH LIKED FLIMSY SODACAN. *SLC
Bmw 740 1993
- Date Of Incident: 1994-10-15
- Date Complaint: 2001-02-23
- VIN: NOT AVAILAB
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: CONSUMER HAS MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE.SPEEDOMETER GIVES A INACCURATE READING, IT GIVES A HIGHER READING. ENGINE WAS LEAKING FLUID, AND DEALER REPAIRED IT ACCORDING TO A RECALL. CONSUMER HAS BEEN TYRING TO GET DEALER TO REPAIR MOST THINGS, BUT THEY AREN'T ASSISTING. *AK
Bmw 740 1995
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Date Complaint: 2000-05-11
- Crash: 1
- VIN: WBAGJ632OSD
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION TRAVELING AROUND 30-35 MPH IN WHICH NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
Bmw 740 1994
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Date Complaint: 2000-03-28
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT INDICATION. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Recalls Bmw 740
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the Bmw 740.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Bmw 740 1993
- Report Received Date: 1994-01-03
- Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
- Summary: THE THROTTLE CABLE'S TUBE (OUTER CASING) CONTAINS A BEND THAT LEADS TO INCREASED LOADING OF THE INNER CABLE, CAUSING IT TO BREAK.
- Consequence: BREAKAGE OF THE INNER CABLE WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RETURN OR REMAIN AT IDLE. LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: BMW DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE.
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