Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1997 BMW 740iL, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Suspension6
- Engine and engine cooling5
- Steering4
- Air bags2
- Vehicle speed control1
- Equipment1
- Electrical system1
- Power train1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Service brakes1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 13.4 L/100 km (about 18 mpg US), CO₂ 308 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 740il · Full-size · Premium gasoline | 15.5 | 10.9 | 13.4 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 1997 BMW 740iL: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 600874 | INFORMATION ON EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL AND FUEL FILLER CAP / FILLER DOOR LABELS. *YC |
| 600705 | REPLACEMENT HEATER CORES FOR E38 VEHICLES. *YC |
| 600434 | EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT MOMENTARY EVENT WHERE THE BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT IMMEDIATLELY RETURN. MODELS BUILT PRIOR TO 3/97 *DB*YC |
| 600433 | NEW EVAPORATIVE (CHARCOAL) CANISTER PURGE LINE. ALL E38 AND E39 MODELE INTRODUCED INTO PRODUCTION APPROXIMATELY 3/97 *DB*YC |
| 600431 | CONDITION WITH BRAKE PAD WARNING STAYS ILLUMINATED AFTER BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT. *YC |
| 600226 | SUBJECT ON TANK VENTILATION LEAK COUPLERS. *YC |
| 54144 | SERVICE INFORMATION REGARDING MISSING DAMPER PADS FOR BREAK RESISTANT GLASS. *YC |
| 54140 | INSTALLATION ON MOUNTING BRACKETS FOR CMT 5000/CPT 6000 PHONES. *AK |
| 53945 | BMW NAVIGATION SYSTEM CD V 05 OPERATING SOFTWARE FOR MARK I SYSTEM. |
| 50900 | CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN THAT THE ILLUMINATION FOR THE BUTTONS ON THE MULTI FUNCTION STEERING WHEEL FLICKERS. *TW |
| 50899 | VEHICLES MAY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE DIMMER CIRCUIT - VEHICLES RELEASED FROM THE VPCS STARTING 10-04-96 HAVE DISABLED DIMMER SWITCHES. *TW |
| 50630 | NEW VEHICLE PREPARATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS. *TW |
| 10249437 | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| 10152674 | Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide |
| 10142928 | SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME (FOR O2 SENSORS): Due to DME software error, the following oxygen sensors plausibility fault codes may be stored in DME 5.2.1 control module: |
| 10135028 | SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1 control module. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)