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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1995–2001

BMW 740iL recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 120 owner complaints for the BMW 740iL, covering model years 1995 to 2001. The 1998 and 2001 model years drew the most complaints (26 each), and Engine and Engine Cooling is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your BMW 740iL VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 5 recall campaigns on file
  • 120 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 7 model years with data (1995–2001)
  • most complaints: 1998, 2001 (26 for that model year)
  • top component: Engine and Engine Cooling (25 complaints)
  • latest recall 01V001000 (reported Jan 4, 2001)
  • 3 complaints reporting a crash (2.5%)
  • 4 complaints reporting a fire (3.3%)
  • 7 complaints reporting an injury (5.8%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

BMW 740iL complaints by model year

7 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 1998 and 2001 model years share the highest count, 26 complaints each. Next come 2000 (20) and 1997 (19). The fewest are for 1999, with 6 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
BMW 740iL owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1995–2001Column chart of 120 complaints across 7 model years. The highest are 1998, 2001 with 26 each. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1995: 12 complaints1219951996: 11 complaints1119961997: 19 complaints1919971998: 26 complaints2619981999: 6 complaints619992000: 20 complaints2020002001: 26 complaints262001
BMW 740iL complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
BMW 740iL complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
1995120120
1996111010
1997191100
1998260010
199960000
2000200110
2001261120
All model years1203470

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported BMW 740iL components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Engine and Engine Cooling is the component named most often, in 25 complaints (20.8% of all 120), followed by Electrical System (18) and Fuel System, Gasoline (14).

Components named most often in BMW 740iL complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in BMW 740iL complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Engine and Engine Cooling2520.8%
Electrical System1815.0%
Fuel System, Gasoline1411.7%
Power Train119.2%
Air Bags108.3%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic97.5%
Suspension97.5%
Vehicle Speed Control97.5%
Steering86.7%
Visibility65.0%
Tires54.2%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)43.3%
Exterior Lighting43.3%
Latches/Locks/Linkages43.3%
Equipment32.5%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

BMW 740iL recalls

5 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name 740iL, newest first. The 5 campaigns cover model years 1995 to 2001. The 1995 model year appears in the most campaigns (3).

  • 5 recall campaigns
BMW 740iL recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
1995: 3 campaigns1996: 1 campaign1997: 1 campaign1998: no campaigns1999: no campaigns
2000: 1 campaign2001: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 01V001000

    Reported

    Tires › Sidewall

    Model year 2001

    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.

    Consequence:
    Handling and control would be drastically affected increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    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.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 00V048000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch

    Model year 2000

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The brake lamps in these vehicles are controlled by a switch activated by the movement of the brake pedal. This switch could fail internally, causing it to remain either in the "brake lamps off" position or in the "brake lamps on" position.

    Consequence:
    If this happens, the brake lamps either will not operate or will be continuously illuminated, regardless of brake pedal position.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the existing brake lamp switch with an improved switch.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 97V140000

    Reported

    Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs

    Model years 1995–1997

    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.

    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.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 95V238000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings

    Model year 1995

    Fuel seepage can occur between a hose and the metal fuel line on either end of the hose resulting in fuel odor.

    Consequence:
    Fuel leakage could potentially result in a vehicle fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the two fuel hoses, four metal fuel lines and associated clamps.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 95V192000

    Reported

    Suspension › Rear

    Model year 1995

    The lower suspension arm mounting eye on the right side rear axle hub carrier was produced with a casting flaw.

    Consequence:
    It is possible that the right side rear axle carrier eye could crack and break while driving causing a loss of control and increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the vehicles for a casting flaw in the right side rear axle carrier and if found, replace the carrier.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

BMW 740iL questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the BMW 740iL have?

NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recall campaigns for the BMW 740iL, covering model years 1995 to 2001. The most recent, 01V001000, was reported on January 4, 2001 and is filed under “Tires”. The 1995 model year is covered by the most campaigns (3).

Which BMW 740iL model year has the most complaints?

The 1998 and 2001 model years tie, with 26 complaints each out of 120. The next are 2000 (20) and 1997 (19). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common BMW 740iL complaint?

Engine and Engine Cooling is the component named most often: 25 complaints, or 20.8% of all 120. Electrical System (18) and Fuel System, Gasoline (14) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my BMW 740iL?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a BMW dealer.

How many BMW 740iL complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 120 complaints, 3 report a crash, 4 a fire, 7 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other BMW models

8 models · most complaints first

The BMW models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the BMW VIN decoder with every BMW model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • BMW X5 1999–2026 · 103 recalls · 3,138 complaints
  • BMW 328i 1996–2016 · 27 recalls · 2,576 complaints
  • BMW X3 2004–2026 · 60 recalls · 1,989 complaints
  • BMW 325i 1995–2012 · 20 recalls · 1,281 complaints
  • BMW Z4 2002–2023 · 28 recalls · 1,280 complaints
  • BMW 3 Series 1995–2023 · 8 recalls · 841 complaints
  • BMW 528i 1997–2016 · 14 recalls · 831 complaints
  • BMW 330i 1999–2026 · 38 recalls · 813 complaints

All BMW models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.