BMW 740IL · model year

1998 BMW 740IL

49 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1998BMW740IL carries 49 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 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 1998 740IL is electrical system with 6 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:cooling system:radiator assembly (4) and fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly (3). 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 1998 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.

49
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

49 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH1
AIR BAGS1
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM1

Recent Complaints

20150409ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE ALARM SYSTEM RUNS DOWN THE BATTERY AND THE HEAD LIGHTS BLANKS CONSTANTLY WHILE CAR IS RUNNING ALSO BACK TAILLIGHT GOES OFF ON ON ON PASSAGE SIDE . *TR

Mileage: 97,386

20150409ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THE ALARM SYSTEM RUNS DOWN THE BATTERY AND THE HEAD LIGHTS BLANKS CONSTANTLY WHILE CAR IS RUNNING ALSO BACK TAILLIGHT GOES OFF ON ON ON PASSAGE SIDE . *TR

Mileage: 97,386

20150409EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE ALARM SYSTEM RUNS DOWN THE BATTERY AND THE HEAD LIGHTS BLANKS CONSTANTLY WHILE CAR IS RUNNING ALSO BACK TAILLIGHT GOES OFF ON ON ON PASSAGE SIDE . *TR

Mileage: 97,386

20150409ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE ALARM SYSTEM RUNS DOWN THE BATTERY AND THE HEAD LIGHTS BLANKS CONSTANTLY WHILE CAR IS RUNNING ALSO BACK TAILLIGHT BLANK OFF ON PASSAGE SIDE. *TR

Mileage: 97,268

20150409ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THE ALARM SYSTEM RUNS DOWN THE BATTERY AND THE HEAD LIGHTS BLANKS CONSTANTLY WHILE CAR IS RUNNING ALSO BACK TAILLIGHT BLANK OFF ON PASSAGE SIDE. *TR

Mileage: 97,268

20150225SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS DRIVING MY BMW 740IL ON 2-17-2015 WHEN AFTER GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND ACCELERATING, THERE WAS A LOUD BOOM NOISE AND BLACK PIECES SHOT OUT ONTO THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME. I IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF THE FIRST EXIT ONLY TO FIND THAT 1.) THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP AFTER I APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND 2.) THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN WHEN MY FOOT WAS OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I WENT THROUGH TWO INTERSECTIONS, UNABLE TO STOP, BEFORE TURNING INTO A BIG DRIVEWAY WHERE I SET THE SHIFTER INTO REVERSE, WHICH SLOWED THE CAR DOWN, AND THEN I PUT IT INTO PARK. STEAM WAS SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND WHEN I CHECKED UNDERNEATH IT, I SAW THE BLADES OF THE FAN BEHIND THE RADIATOR HAD ALL BEEN STRIPPED OFF THE ROTOR WITH PIECES VIOLENTLY SCATTERED AROUND THE ENGINE AREA. ALSO, THE HOSE TO THE COOLANT RESERVOIR BECAME DETACHED AND THE HOOD RECEIVED TWO DENTS FROM THE INSIDE WHEN THE FAN EXPLODED. THE CAR HAS SINCE BEEN TOWED, AND REPAIRS HAVE NOT YET BEEN STARTED. THE WHOLE SITU

Mileage: 79,000

20150225VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS DRIVING MY BMW 740IL ON 2-17-2015 WHEN AFTER GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND ACCELERATING, THERE WAS A LOUD BOOM NOISE AND BLACK PIECES SHOT OUT ONTO THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME. I IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF THE FIRST EXIT ONLY TO FIND THAT 1.) THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP AFTER I APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND 2.) THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN WHEN MY FOOT WAS OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I WENT THROUGH TWO INTERSECTIONS, UNABLE TO STOP, BEFORE TURNING INTO A BIG DRIVEWAY WHERE I SET THE SHIFTER INTO REVERSE, WHICH SLOWED THE CAR DOWN, AND THEN I PUT IT INTO PARK. STEAM WAS SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND WHEN I CHECKED UNDERNEATH IT, I SAW THE BLADES OF THE FAN BEHIND THE RADIATOR HAD ALL BEEN STRIPPED OFF THE ROTOR WITH PIECES VIOLENTLY SCATTERED AROUND THE ENGINE AREA. ALSO, THE HOSE TO THE COOLANT RESERVOIR BECAME DETACHED AND THE HOOD RECEIVED TWO DENTS FROM THE INSIDE WHEN THE FAN EXPLODED. THE CAR HAS SINCE BEEN TOWED, AND REPAIRS HAVE NOT YET BEEN STARTED. THE WHOLE SITU

Mileage: 79,000

20150225ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING MY BMW 740IL ON 2-17-2015 WHEN AFTER GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND ACCELERATING, THERE WAS A LOUD BOOM NOISE AND BLACK PIECES SHOT OUT ONTO THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME. I IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF THE FIRST EXIT ONLY TO FIND THAT 1.) THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP AFTER I APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND 2.) THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN WHEN MY FOOT WAS OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I WENT THROUGH TWO INTERSECTIONS, UNABLE TO STOP, BEFORE TURNING INTO A BIG DRIVEWAY WHERE I SET THE SHIFTER INTO REVERSE, WHICH SLOWED THE CAR DOWN, AND THEN I PUT IT INTO PARK. STEAM WAS SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND WHEN I CHECKED UNDERNEATH IT, I SAW THE BLADES OF THE FAN BEHIND THE RADIATOR HAD ALL BEEN STRIPPED OFF THE ROTOR WITH PIECES VIOLENTLY SCATTERED AROUND THE ENGINE AREA. ALSO, THE HOSE TO THE COOLANT RESERVOIR BECAME DETACHED AND THE HOOD RECEIVED TWO DENTS FROM THE INSIDE WHEN THE FAN EXPLODED. THE CAR HAS SINCE BEEN TOWED, AND REPAIRS HAVE NOT YET BEEN STARTED. THE WHOLE SITU

Mileage: 79,000

20121116FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I HAD REFULED AND STARTED ON THE HIGHWAY ,I HEARD A THUMPING SOUND .PULLED OVER COULD NOT FIQURE OUT WHERE THE SOUND WAS COMING FROM. WHEN I REACHED MY DESTANATION I SMELLED GAS. I LOOK UNDER THE CAR AND THE GAS TANK WAS SUNKED INWARD AND GAS WAS EVERYWHERE.I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING.I KNOW THIS IS RECALL SITUATION. BMW WOULD NEVER KNOWLY NOT RECALL SUCH A DANGOUS PROBLEM.THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE MINOR,BUT SUCKED IN GAS TANKS ISNT ONE OF THEM. I CANT AFFORD TO HAVE THE REPAIR. THE ONLY CAR I HAVE. IM OUT OF OPTIONS.PLEASE RECALL THE SUNK IN GAS TANK PROBLEM ON MY 1998 740IL , ITS MY FIRST BMW .I DONT WANT IT TO BE MY LAST. I LOVE THE CAR AND THINK BMW MAKES ONE OF THE FINEST AND SAFE CARS OUT THERE.SO MONEY SHOULD NOT BE A REPLACEMENT FOR SAFETY. THANKS, SORRY FOR SPELLING. *TR

Mileage: 170,000

20111215POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW 740IL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN CHANGING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE RING GEAR IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V005000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20110815FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL TANK "TIN CANS" WHEN LOWER ON FUEL. FEAR DEGRADATION OF FUEL TANK. FROM OTHER SOURCES, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH BMWS. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

20100901FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW 740IL. WHILE REFUELING HE NOTICED GAS WAS LEAKING FORM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. ONCE HE STOPPED PUMPING GAS IT STOPPED LEAKING. THIS FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER HE WOULD REFUEL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. OVER TIME HE BEGAN TO HEAR A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK WHILE DRIVING OR STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A SPLIT ON ONE OF THE SEEMS FOR THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FUEL TANK WAS REPAIRED. THE THUMPING FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. THE THUMPING FAILURE CONTINUES TO RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Mileage: 178,000

20100414LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK. ALL DOORS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK. IF YOU PULL ON ANY OF THE DOORS DOOR HANDLE TWICE FROM THE INSIDE IT SHOULD OPEN. ALL OF THIS HAPPEN WHEN THE ALARM ACTIVATED WITHOUT ANY REASON. ALARM STOPPED WORKING AND DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK. *TR

Mileage: 200,000

20100414ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK. ALL DOORS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK. IF YOU PULL ON ANY OF THE DOORS DOOR HANDLE TWICE FROM THE INSIDE IT SHOULD OPEN. ALL OF THIS HAPPEN WHEN THE ALARM ACTIVATED WITHOUT ANY REASON. ALARM STOPPED WORKING AND DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK. *TR

Mileage: 200,000

20100323ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON CRUISE CONTROL AT 60 MPH PROCEEDING NORTH ON STATE ROUTE 3 IN VIRGINIA WHEN THE AUTO STARTED TO ACCELERATE. TAPPED THE BRAKE NO EFFECT. TURNED OF THE CRUISE CONTROL NO EFFECT. BY THIS TIME I AM DOING 90 MPH SO I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. THAT HAD AN EFFECT. COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD GOT OUT RAISED THE HOOD COULD SEE NOTHING WRONG. GOT IN THE AUTO AND STARTED IT UP. RPM WENT SHOOTING UP SHUT THE AUTO OFF. CHECKED THE LINKAGE TO THE THROTTLE COULD SEE NO PROBLEMS. WORKED THE LINKAGE TO SEE IF THERE WAS BINDING NO BINDING. DROVE HOME WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEM. YET!!

Mileage: 142,000

20100227STRUCTURE

THIS IS ABOUT MY 1998 740IL BMW. TWO TIMES SINCE OWNING THIS VEHICLE THE ENGINE REVEVED UP WHEN I WAS PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL, NEARLY CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL. I FOUND THE PROBLEM. COMPARED TO MY PREVIOUS MERCEDES BENZ, THE ACCELARATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS ARE CLOSER TOGETHER. ALSO, THE BRAKE PEDAL OF THE BMW COMPRESSES FURTHER DOWN THAT WITH ANY OTHER CAR. AS A RESULT, IF MY FOOT WAS ONLY ON THE EDGE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BOTTOM OF MY FOOT EXTENDED OVER ONTO THE GAS PEDAL. THE HARDER I PRESSED THE BRAKE, THE MORE GAS I WAS GIVING THE ENGINE. TO A NEW PERSON IN THAT CAR, AS I WAS, THIS WAS A DEADLY CONBINATION. NOW THAT I KNOW, I AM MUCH MORE CAREFUL AND THE SITUATION HAS NOT REOCCURRED. *TR

Mileage: 10,000

20100227VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THIS IS ABOUT MY 1998 740IL BMW. TWO TIMES SINCE OWNING THIS VEHICLE THE ENGINE REVEVED UP WHEN I WAS PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL, NEARLY CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL. I FOUND THE PROBLEM. COMPARED TO MY PREVIOUS MERCEDES BENZ, THE ACCELARATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS ARE CLOSER TOGETHER. ALSO, THE BRAKE PEDAL OF THE BMW COMPRESSES FURTHER DOWN THAT WITH ANY OTHER CAR. AS A RESULT, IF MY FOOT WAS ONLY ON THE EDGE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BOTTOM OF MY FOOT EXTENDED OVER ONTO THE GAS PEDAL. THE HARDER I PRESSED THE BRAKE, THE MORE GAS I WAS GIVING THE ENGINE. TO A NEW PERSON IN THAT CAR, AS I WAS, THIS WAS A DEADLY CONBINATION. NOW THAT I KNOW, I AM MUCH MORE CAREFUL AND THE SITUATION HAS NOT REOCCURRED. *TR

Mileage: 10,000

20100227SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

THIS IS ABOUT MY 1998 740IL BMW. TWO TIMES SINCE OWNING THIS VEHICLE THE ENGINE REVEVED UP WHEN I WAS PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL, NEARLY CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL. I FOUND THE PROBLEM. COMPARED TO MY PREVIOUS MERCEDES BENZ, THE ACCELARATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS ARE CLOSER TOGETHER. ALSO, THE BRAKE PEDAL OF THE BMW COMPRESSES FURTHER DOWN THAT WITH ANY OTHER CAR. AS A RESULT, IF MY FOOT WAS ONLY ON THE EDGE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BOTTOM OF MY FOOT EXTENDED OVER ONTO THE GAS PEDAL. THE HARDER I PRESSED THE BRAKE, THE MORE GAS I WAS GIVING THE ENGINE. TO A NEW PERSON IN THAT CAR, AS I WAS, THIS WAS A DEADLY CONBINATION. NOW THAT I KNOW, I AM MUCH MORE CAREFUL AND THE SITUATION HAS NOT REOCCURRED. *TR

Mileage: 10,000

20090708FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I HAVE A 98 BMW 740IL THAT SUCKS ITSELF AND IT HAS LEAD TO THE GAS TO DENT AND CRACK AND LEAK GAS. *TR

Mileage: 175,000

20090205FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

HI, I BROUGHT THIS CAR FROM ANOTHER PERSON (ORIGINAL OWNER),HE TOLD ME THAT THE CAR MAKES A WEIRD NOISE WHEN SITTING OR DRIVING HE COULDN'T TELL ME WHY IT WAS HAPPENING UPON FURTHER INSPECTION FOUND FUEL TANK TO BE SUCKING IN AND OUT I DIDN'T PAY TO MUCH ATTENTION THINKING WASN'T MUCH TO IT UNTIL ONE DAY WENT TO REFUEL VEHICLE WASN'T ABLE TO GET ANY GAS INTO VEHICLE,UPON INSPECTION FOUND GAS TANK HAD IMPLODED BEYOND REPAIR,I SPOKE TO AN ADVISOR AT LOCAL BMW DEALER IF THERE WAS ANY BULLETINS ON ISSUE HE TOLD ME NO AT FIRST,HE THEN ASKED A TECH AT DEALER ABOUT ISSUE HE SAID THE EVAP CANISTER SYSTEM HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH ,SO THERE IS SOME KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ISSUE MY QUESTION IS DUE THINK THAT THERE SHOULD OF A RECALL OR CAMPAIGN OUT THERE REGARDLESS OF YEAR OF VEHICLE SINCE I THINK ITS A SAFETY ISSUE TO ME AND MY FAMILY AS WELL AS TO THE NEXT PERSON WHO GETS THIS VEHICLE,ASWELL ITS VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR WHEN I BELIEVE ITS BMW RESPONSIBILITY TO RECALL ALL THESE DANGEROUS TANK ISSUE. HOPE

Mileage: 210,106

Compare 1998BMW740IL to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1998 BMW 740IL have?
The 1998 BMW 740IL has 49 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 BMW 740IL?
The most-complained component for the 1998 BMW 740IL is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY.
Is the 1998 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.