1993 BMW 740i

Routine

Owners filed 15 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › cooling system › hoses/lines/piping/fittings. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust2
101
Engine and Engine Cooling2
000
Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood2
010
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
000
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner1
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission1
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly1
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Carburetor System1
010
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Vehicle Speed Control97V131000
Filed Aug 19, 1997410,000 vehiclesBayerische Motoren Werke

Defect. THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.

Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch96V111000
Filed Jul 1, 1996180,000 vehiclesBayerische Motoren Werke

Defect. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.

Risk. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ON, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION. FOLLOWING DRIVERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STOPPING, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Sep 1, 201058,471 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BMW 740I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED GAS LEAKING OUT OF THE GAS TANK ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. A DAY LATER, THE FAILURE HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY PUT A PATCH ON THE GAS TANK SO THE VEHICLE COULD BE DRIVEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC. A LOCAL MECHANIC AGAIN REPLACED THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY CLEANED UP THE FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY ORDERED ANOTHER FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS FUEL WAS ALREADY IMPLODED LIKE THE OTHERS. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THEY TOOK THE OLD FUEL TANKS TO THE DEALER SO THEY COULD SEE HOW THEY IMPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED JULY 10, 2010. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,471 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,843.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed May 13, 2008120,000 milesGA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BMW 740I. WHILE DRIVING 73 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. HE HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PREVENT A CRASH FROM OCCURRING. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILAGES WERE 120,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 29, 2005NM

THE ENGINE COMPLETELY FAILED ON MY 1994 BMW 740I. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS MODEL YEAR HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM RELATED TO THE SULPHUR CONTENT IN AMERICA GASOLINE. PLEASE INFORM ME OR ANY RECALL OR RECOURSE I MAY BE ABLE TO TAKE REGARDING THIS MATTER. DEMETRIUS BRANDON (505) 265-1130

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 28, 2004CA

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE TEMPERATURE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT DUPLICATED. CONSUMER TOLD THE MECHANIC THAT WIRES, AND OTHER PARTS TO THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. AK

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed May 21, 2003NY

DRIVER'S SEAT ON MY 1993 BMW 740I RECLINED WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION. SEAT BACK WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN AND WILL NOT MOVE. THIS MADE ME LOSE PARTIAL CONTROL OF CAR, LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITH OUT CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 23, 200367,000 milesVA

VEHICLE IS A 1993 BMW 740 WHICH WAS SUBJECT TO AN ENGINE RECALL IN SEPTEMBER OF 1996 AT 67,000 MILES. IMMEDIATELY AND SINCE THAT TIME, THE CAR HAS EXPERIENCED DOCUMENTED OIL LEAKS ON THE FOLLOWING DATES: 10/1996, 12/1996, 5/1999, 6/1999, 3/2000, 6/2001, 10/2001, 1/2002, 5/2002, 7/2002, 2/2003. THERE ARE OTHER INCIDENTS OF OIL LEAKS NOT DOCUMENTED. FAIRFAX BMW, OF FAIRFAX VIRGINIA WAS THE SERVICE STATION FOR EACH OF THESE INCIDENTS. MOST OF THE TIME THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETECTED OR IT WAS A GUESS THAT THE OIL GASKET WAS FAULTY (THE OIL GASKETS WERE REPLACED AT LEAST THREE TIMES, IN WHICH THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP MORE THAN TWO DAYS FOR EACH REPLACEMENT). FEBRUARY 2003, THE CAR IS LEAKING OIL AGAIN. FAIRFAX BMW WILL CHARGE MORE THAN $4500 FOR THIS REPAIR IF WE CHOOSE TO BRING IT IN AGAIN. WE ARE TRYING TO TAKE ANOTHER APPROACH TO SOLVING THIS PROBLEM BY CONTACTING YOU. THE CAR HAS 98,000 MILES ON IT (11,000 MILES IN FIVE AND A HALF YEARS). WE HAVE WRITTEN AND CALLED TO BMW HEADQUARTERS IN NJ THREE TIMES. THEIR RESPONSE IS THAT ITS NOT THEIR PROBLEM AND THE ENGINE HAD AT MOST, A ONE-YEAR WARRANTY AND THEY SAID THEY WERE SORRY. THE CAR SITS IN THE GARAGE BECAUSE WE FEAR THE OIL SPRAY AROUND THE ENGINE WILL CAUSE A FIRE IF WE USE IT REGULARLY FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. *JB

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Feb 20, 2003CA

THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO FAULTY MODULE.*JB

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Feb 20, 2003120,000 milesCA

THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON IN MY VEHICLE AND I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE AIRBAG MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND WAS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT AT A SIGNIFICANT COST. I ASKED THEM IF THE MANUFACTURER COVERED THIS SINCE AN AIRBAG MODULE WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT HAD MOVING PARTS NOR WAS IT A PART THAT AN OWNER HAS ACCESS TO. THEY TOLD ME ONLY IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT PART. THEY SAID THAT THERE WERE NO CURRENT RECALLS ON THAT PART BUT I COULD FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Carburetor SystemFire
Filed Sep 29, 2002CA

GASKETS IN ENGINE, OIL PAN, AND INTAKE MANIFOLD HAVE FAILED APPROXIMATELY 3 TIMES AFTER ORIGINALS HAD TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE SMOKED AND LEAKED OIL ONTO MANIFOLD. MR

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed May 9, 2002CA

VEHICLE CAUGT FIRE AND BURNED COMPLETELY UP WITH IN MINUTES AFTER LEAVING BMW DEALERSHIP.*AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood
Filed Apr 23, 2002CA

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING SMOKE WAS COMING FROM REAR TIRE, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Seats › Front Assembly › Power AdjustCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 10, 2001CT

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRONIC OPERATORS SEAT, IT WOULD COMPLETELY RECLINE TO A HORIZONTAL POSITION, ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING, THE SEAT RECLINED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A CURB, DAMAGING THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES AND LATER RESULTING IN COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION, CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN THIS ACCIDENT AND IS CONTINUING MEDICAL TREATMENT, THE DEALER WILL NOT DO ANY TRANSMISSION REPAIRS UNLESS CONSUMER PAYS 8000 DOLLARS, BMW STATED THEY WOULD REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE SEAT CONTROL MODULE IF THE CONSUMER SIGNED A RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY. *SLC

Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust
Filed Mar 28, 2000NM

WHILE DRIVING POWER SEAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE KEPT MOVING FORWARD, PINNING THE DRIVER AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER REMOVED THE CONTROL UNIT BECAUSE OF THE HIGH COST OF REPLACEMENT, NOW SEAT CANNOT BE MOVED MANUALLY OR AUTOMATICALLY. *AK *ML

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 24, 1999AZ

WHILE DRIVNG AND APPLYING THE GAS, THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER IN THE ENGINE, AND VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE. ENGINE STAYS ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings
Filed Jul 2, 1998CA

WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED SMOKE, MORE SMOKE FURTHER DOWN ROAD. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD & LIFTED HOOD. NOTICED COOLANT HAD LEAKED OUT. ALSO, HOSE TO RADIATOR WAS DISCONNECTED. CLAMP STILL ON HOSE & WAS CRACKED. *AK

15 of 15 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2001
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20250300Routine
20243500Routine
202311900Routine
20211200Routine
20201200Routine
20194100Routine
20185000Routine
20177000Routine
201612000Routine
20151100Routine
20141100Routine
20131100Routine
20124100Routine
200115410Routine
200012210Routine
19998100Routine
19988100Routine
19973300Routine
19961300Routine
19959500Routine
19947200Routine
1993 — this page15220Routine

Compare every 740i year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Aug 19, 1997. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.