1995 BMW 740i

Routine

Owners filed 9 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › engine › gasoline. It has been recalled 5 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Suspension › Front1
000
Fuel/Propulsion System1
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly1
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings1
000
Fuel System, Gasoline1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine1
000
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash1
000
Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers1
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Steering › Linkages › Drag › Link › Connection10E021000
Filed May 27, 2010150 vehiclesFcp Groton, Llc

Defect. FCP GROTON IS RECALLING CERTAIN STEERING CENTER DRAG LINKS, P/N 32 21 1 096 057, SOLD FROM DECEMBER 1, 2009 THROUGH APRIL 9, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR MODEL YEAR 1995 THROUGH 2001 BMW 740I, 740IL, AND 750IL PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SHAFT OF THE STEERING CENTER TIE ROD MAY SHEAR OFF.

Risk. THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT, WITHOUT WARNING, IN IMMEDIATE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy. FCP GROTON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE TIE ROD WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JUNE 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FCP GROTON TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-634-0063.

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs97V140000
Filed Aug 22, 199729,000 vehiclesBayerische Motoren Werke

Defect. 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.

Risk. THE VEHICLE'S RIDE HEIGHT COULD BE AFFECTED CAUSING NOISE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE'S DYNAMIC STABILITY CAN BE AFFECTED REDUCING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND LOWER SPRING MOUNTS.

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings95V238000
Filed Dec 11, 199518,000 vehiclesBayerische Motoren Werke

Defect. FUEL SEEPAGE CAN OCCUR BETWEEN A HOSE AND THE METAL FUEL LINE ON EITHER END OF THE HOSE RESULTING IN FUEL ODOR.

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO FUEL HOSES, FOUR METAL FUEL LINES AND ASSOCIATED CLAMPS.

Suspension › Rear95V192000
Filed Oct 11, 19953,000 vehiclesBayerische Motoren Werke

Defect. THE LOWER SUSPENSION ARM MOUNTING EYE ON THE RIGHT SIDE REAR AXLE HUB CARRIER WAS PRODUCED WITH A CASTING FLAW.

Risk. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE RIGHT SIDE REAR AXLE CARRIER EYE COULD CRACK AND BREAK WHILE DRIVING CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL AND INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR A CASTING FLAW IN THE RIGHT SIDE REAR AXLE CARRIER AND IF FOUND, REPLACE THE CARRIER.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Feb 27, 201497,500 milesCA

THUMPING NOISES FROM UNDER REAR SEAT OF CAR WHILE DRIVING. FUEL TANK IMPLODING SUCKING ITSELF INWARDS THEN CRACKING CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK ON TO PAVEMENT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. DRIVER NOT AWARE OF THIS UNTIL PARKING AND SMELLING FUEL WHILE STANDING NEAR THE CAR. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN DATED FEBRUARY 1998 ON THIS VERY ISSUE WHICH NEVER BECAME A RECALL.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 11, 2012DC

WHEN STARTING THE CAR I SMELL STRONG ODOR OF GAS THE FUEL AND MPH METER MOVES UP AND DOWN WHEN TURN TO THE LEFT CAR MAKES LOUD RUBBING SOUND AND TIRES KEEP LOSING AIR BRAKE LIGHT KEEP COMING ON. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 28, 200365,000 milesCA

WHILE TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE OF MY 1995 BMW 740I FAILED DUE TO ONE OF THE OIL PUMP BOLTS FALLING OUT AND INTO THE ENGINE. THERE IS NO SAFETY DEVICE ON THESE BOLTS TO PREVENT THEM FROM JUST SLIPPING OUT AND CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THIS INCIDENT, IF OCCURING IN A BUSY STREET OR FREEWAY COULD ENDANGER OTHER MOTORIST AS WELL AS THE OCCUPANTS OF THE DISABLED VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS BECOME A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW'S AND THAT BMW IS AWARE OF THIS YET THEY REFUSE TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Dec 3, 2002CA

I HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE ITEMS MENTIONED, HOWEVER I DON'T HAVE THE CAR ANYMORE IT WAS REOPENED ON DEC. 3, 2002 AND I'M TRYING TO FIGHT THE FINANCE CO. WFS. DT

Suspension › Front
Filed Aug 29, 2002MD

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING IF CONSUMER HITS A BUMP IN THE ROAD FRONT SUSPENSION WILL MAKE A CLUNKING LOUD NOISE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AKJLG

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
Filed Feb 12, 2002CA

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 65MPH ON HIGHWAY, AND WHILE DRIVING HE STARTED SMELLING SMOKE. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE CEILING AND DASHBOARD.*AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Oct 18, 2001MD

I HAVE PRUCHASED A PRE OWNED - CERTIFIED BMW FROM TISHER AUTO. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED 6/23/01. IT HAS BEEN LESS THAN 90 DAYS AND I AM OBLIGATED TO PAY FOR BOTH REAR LIGHT ASSEMBLIES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT . THE BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON AND THE CONSOLE INDICATOR CONFIRMS THIS. THE DEALER SAY THAT THERE IS A SHORT IN THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CONTROL THE FUNCTION OF THE BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU CAN INFORM ME OF ANY RECALLS ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THE CAR LESS THAN 90 DAYS AND THE REPAIR COST IS $436 DOLLARS. I AM TRYING TO GRASP THE FACT THAT THIS IS A CERTIFIED VEHICLE THAT I PUT JUST OVER 6400 MILES ON. CAN YOU HELP. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Apr 13, 2001OH

FUEL IS LEAKING AT POINT WHERE HOSE MEETS METAL FUEL LINE, CAUSING FIRE HAZARD. DEFECT IS SAME AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 95V238000. BUT, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Nov 15, 2000NY

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING OVER WATER AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HYDROLOCK DUE TO WATER ENTERING THE ENGINE. *SLC

9 of 9 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
1995 — this page9500Routine
19947200Routine
199315220Routine

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: May 27, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.