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BMW 740ILA

10 NHTSA complaints and 2 safety recalls across model years 1988–2001.

Complaints
10
Recalls
2
Model years
4

The BMW740ILA appears in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database with 10 consumer safety complaints and 2 recall campaigns across 4 model years (1988–2001). That averages roughly 3 complaints per model year. Report counts can differ between model years for many reasons; this dataset does not establish the cause of a difference.

Complaint volume on a nameplate alone is not a reliability verdict: a long-running bestseller can accumulate more filings than a low-volume niche model because more vehicles are on the road. The table below shows report counts and published NHTSA crash-test ratings side by side for each model year. The filing-year histogram shows the timing of submitted reports, not a causal trend.

NHTSA has 34 investigation files tied to this model. Investigation records, complaint reports, and recall campaigns each provide different context. Use the official NHTSA VIN lookup and the underlying notices to research a specific vehicle; PlainCars does not infer a vehicle-risk or pricing conclusion from these records.

Complaints by Year

YearComplaints
20014
19984
19941
19881

Complaint Filing Trend

NHTSA complaint volume by year filed (not model year).

1
’98
1
’03
4
’04
2
’07
2
’08

Year filed (bar labels show the complaint count).

View all trending models →

Compare BMW740ILA to Similar Vehicles

BMW740ILA vs VOLVOWG → BMW740ILA vs VOLVOVNL (4) → BMW740ILA vs FORDB700 → BMW740ILA vs FORDB800 →

NHTSA Investigations

PE20002Preliminary EvaluationClosed2020-04-01

Brake fluid leak at front brake caliper

EA19003Engineering AnalysisClosed2019-10-11

Steering Oscillation

PE19002Preliminary EvaluationClosed2019-03-25

Steering Oscillation

RQ18001Recall QueryClosed2018-04-18

Idler Pulley Bolt Failure

AQ15004Audit QueryClosed2015-09-24

BMW Safety Act Violations

PE13030Preliminary EvaluationClosed2013-09-06

Loss of power assist braking

EA13006Engineering AnalysisClosed2013-07-12

Fuel Leak - Motorycle

EA12002Engineering AnalysisClosed2012-04-10

Vehicle Rollaway

DP12001Defect PetitionClosed2012-01-20

M/C final drive ball bearing failure

PE11025Preliminary EvaluationClosed2011-08-05

Vehicle Rollaway

View all 34 investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How reliable is the BMW 740ILA?▼
The BMW 740ILA has received 10 NHTSA complaints spanning model years 1988 to 2001, with 2 recalls. That averages about 3 complaints per model year.
What years of BMW 740ILA are available?▼
PlainCars has complaint and recall data for the BMW 740ILA from 1988 to 2001 (4 model years). Select any year to see component-level complaint breakdowns and safety ratings.
Does the BMW 740ILA have safety ratings?▼
NHTSA safety ratings (NCAP 5-star program) are available for many BMW 740ILA model years from 2011 onward. Select a specific year to see front crash, side crash, and rollover ratings where available.
What are the most common BMW 740ILA complaints?▼
NHTSA complaints for the BMW 740ILA are categorized by component, common areas include engine, transmission, electrical system, airbags, and brakes. Select a model year for a detailed component-by-component breakdown.
How do I check if my BMW 740ILA has been recalled?▼
Visit the year-specific page on PlainCars to see all recalls for your model year, or enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov for official recall status and available remedies.
Data sources

Data vintage: August 2026. 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.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. BMW 740ILA totals are aggregated from the linked NHTSA model-year rows; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.