Total Complaints
14 filings
BMW 740IL · model year
1996 BMW 740IL
14 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1996BMW740IL carries 14 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1996 740IL is latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch with 2 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly (2) and vehicle speed control:linkages (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 1996 740IL. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
14
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
3 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| ENGINE | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20140305ENGINE
THE GAS TANK STARTED TO MAKE POPPING NOISES AND THUMPING SOUNDS. THEN WHEN I REALIZED SOMETHING IS WRONG WHEN THE GAS GAUGE STARTED READING 1/4 TANK WHEN IT WAS EMPTY, STRANGELY WHEN I WAS FILLING UP WITH GAS THE CAP WAS HARD TO REMOVE AND AS SOON AS I REMOVED THE CAP AIR WAS RUSHING IN. I RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE INTERSTATE WITHOUT ANY WARNING MANAGED TO GET THE CAR ON THE SHOULDER. LATER ON THE WAY TO WORK I STARTED SMELLING A STRONG GAS ODOR I ASSUMED IT WAS THE CARS SURROUNDING ME. WHEN I WENT ON MY LUNCH BREAK MY COWORKERS INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF GAS UNDER MY CAR, WHEN I GOT BACK TO WORK I STARTED TO INVESTIGATE WHAT HAPPENED AND MY TANK WAS IMPLODED AND DEVELOPED LEAKS AROUND THE SEAMS. I FIND THIS A MAJOR CONCERN SINCE THIS IS RIGHT NEXT TO A HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM AND MAY CAUSE A FIRE DUE TO POOR GAS TANK VENTILATION. I'M LUCKY THAT MY CAR DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF GAS I LOST AND NOTICED LEAKING ON THE SEAMS THAT ARE EXTREMELY CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST.
Mileage: 133,000
20140305FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE GAS TANK STARTED TO MAKE POPPING NOISES AND THUMPING SOUNDS. THEN WHEN I REALIZED SOMETHING IS WRONG WHEN THE GAS GAUGE STARTED READING 1/4 TANK WHEN IT WAS EMPTY, STRANGELY WHEN I WAS FILLING UP WITH GAS THE CAP WAS HARD TO REMOVE AND AS SOON AS I REMOVED THE CAP AIR WAS RUSHING IN. I RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE INTERSTATE WITHOUT ANY WARNING MANAGED TO GET THE CAR ON THE SHOULDER. LATER ON THE WAY TO WORK I STARTED SMELLING A STRONG GAS ODOR I ASSUMED IT WAS THE CARS SURROUNDING ME. WHEN I WENT ON MY LUNCH BREAK MY COWORKERS INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF GAS UNDER MY CAR, WHEN I GOT BACK TO WORK I STARTED TO INVESTIGATE WHAT HAPPENED AND MY TANK WAS IMPLODED AND DEVELOPED LEAKS AROUND THE SEAMS. I FIND THIS A MAJOR CONCERN SINCE THIS IS RIGHT NEXT TO A HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM AND MAY CAUSE A FIRE DUE TO POOR GAS TANK VENTILATION. I'M LUCKY THAT MY CAR DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF GAS I LOST AND NOTICED LEAKING ON THE SEAMS THAT ARE EXTREMELY CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST.
Mileage: 133,000
20080724VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ANYTIME YOU ARE ACCELERATING THE THROTTLE CABLE WILL EITHER GET STUCK OR IF YOU LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL ITS WILL CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY UPON ENTERING THE HIGHWAY. THIS OCCURRED PRETTY REGULARLY UNTIL WE HAD THE THROTTLE CABLE REPLACED. *TR
Mileage: 179,000
20080514ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BMW 740IL. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. AS SHE TURNED THE KEY AND REMOVED IT FROM THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. SHE HAD TO REMOVE THE ENGINE FUSES FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC INSTALLED A NEW CYLINDER AND HOUSING. THREE WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO IS NOT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY STILL AT THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 203,000.
Mileage: 203,000
20050304VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE RPM'S WILL REV UP TO 3500 RPMS PREVENTING THE DRIVER FROM PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WITHOUT A POSSIBLE CRASH. DRIVER WOULD APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO SURGE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAIL. DEFECTIVE PARTS REPLACED. CAR WENT BY ITSELF TO 90 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. REPLACED FRONT THROTTLE BODY GASKET AND IDLE SPEED REGULATOR. *BF *NM
Mileage: 86,312
20020503ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
THIS PROBLEM W/ RADIATOR IS VERY COMMON W/ THIS VEHICLE AND MANUFACTURER REFUSES ANY RESPONSIBILITY. *AK
20011015FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
20010822FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
GAS TANK IMPLODED SUCKING ITSELF IN AND CAUSING GAS TO LEAK AND SPILL. TANK WAS REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2000. HOWEVER, PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THEN. ALSO, THERE ARE POPPING NOISES COMING FROM TANK AREA, WHICH MEANS THAT GAS IN TANK IS NOT PROPERLY VENTING,CAUSING A BUILD UP. TECHNICIANS HAVE HEARD THE NOISE, BUT ARE UNABLE TO RECTIFY IT WHEN IT'S NOT DOING IT.*AK
20010118LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
HOOD CAME SMASHING INTO WINDSHIELD FRAME, BLOCKING VISIBILITY OF HIGHWAY. *AK
20001219LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
HOOD CAME CRASHING UP AGAINST WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING ON FREEEWAY. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH DEALER FOUND THAT THE SAFETY HOLD DOWN PIN ON THE LEFT SIDE HOOD LOCK WAS MISSING, DEALER REPLACED THE HOOD LOCK ASSEMBLY. *AK *SLC
20000316SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
BRAKE WARNING LIGHT SWITCH FAILED, ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE BRAKE LIGHT OFF POSITION OR IN THE BRAKE LIGHT ON POSITION. ALSO, WHEN TURNING VEHICLE OFF, THE WARNING BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. *AK
19990914CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
VEHICLE WAS INVOLED IN SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. CONSUMER WAS APPROACHING ONCOMING VEHICLE, APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, AS SOON AS HE LIFTED HIS FOOT FROM PEDAL, VEHICLE SUDDENLY TOOK OFF. WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT A PARKED VEHICLE ON SIDE OF ROAD BEFORE STOPPING. ALS,O BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DELPOY. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
19990914CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOLED IN SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. CONSUMER WAS APPROACHING ONCOMING VEHICLE, APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, AS SOON AS HE LIFTED HIS FOOT FROM PEDAL, VEHICLE SUDDENLY TOOK OFF. WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT A PARKED VEHICLE ON SIDE OF ROAD BEFORE STOPPING. ALS,O BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DELPOY. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
19990914CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE WAS INVOLED IN SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. CONSUMER WAS APPROACHING ONCOMING VEHICLE, APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, AS SOON AS HE LIFTED HIS FOOT FROM PEDAL, VEHICLE SUDDENLY TOOK OFF. WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT A PARKED VEHICLE ON SIDE OF ROAD BEFORE STOPPING. ALS,O BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DELPOY. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Compare 1996BMW740IL to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1996 BMW 740IL have?▼
The 1996 BMW 740IL has 14 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 BMW 740IL?▼
The most-complained component for the 1996 BMW 740IL is LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES.
Is the 1996 BMW 740IL safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.