1995 BMW 740Il

Routine

Owners filed 12 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the visibility › power window devices and controls. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls3
002
Vehicle Speed Control1
000
Steering1
000
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler1
010
Seat Belts1
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System1
000

4 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.

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
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 19, 2013200,000 milesTX

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND WAS PASSING A TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME AND HEARD A LOUD POP. I THOUGHT MY WINDSHIELD HAD BEEN HIT BY SOMETHING UNTIL I SAW THAT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE, SO I KEPT DRIVING. MY CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT SO I SLOWED DOWN. WHEN I GOT TO WORK I LOOKED AT MY CAR AND SAW THAT THE HOOD HAD AN ALMOST HOLE IN IT SO I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND MY BELTS GONE AND DAMAGE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE HOOD AND LINING. A FELLOW EMPLOYEE LOOKED AT IT FOR ME AND WE DISCOVERED THAT MY FAN HAD BEEN OBLITERATED AND A GREAT DEAL OF DAMAGE HAD BEEN DONE TO MY CAR. I CALLED AND HAD A TOW TRUCK TO PICK IT UP AFTER CALLING MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND WAS TOLD I COULDN'T FILE A CLAIM AS THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT THAT HAPPENED WITH THE CAR. I LATER HAD IT FIXED AT A PLACE CALLED TERRY'S CAR CARE CENTER THAT COST ME CLOSE TO $1300 TO FIX. *TR

Steering
Filed Jun 19, 2013298,765 milesTX

WHEN I GET INTO MY CAR THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND I CAN'T GET IT UNLOCKED UNLESS I TURN ON AND OFF MY CAUTION LIGHTS OR MOVE THE BUTTON BACK AND FORTH ON THE CONSOLE THAT HAS AN A ON ONE END AND A M ON THE OTHER. AS SOON AS I GET OUT OF THE CAR IT LOCKS AND WON'T MOVE UNLESS I DO THAT AND I HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. IT JUST STARTED WITHIN THE LAST WEEK. I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS WILL CAUSE ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND IF I NEED TO LET THE CAR SIT UNTIL I GET IT FIXED? *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan
Filed Jul 20, 2005110,000 milesCA

RADIATOR FAN EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. PIECES OF FAN FLEW THROUGHOUT ENGINE BAY (HOOD DENTED UPWARDS 2 INCHES) BROKEN PIECES OF FAN LODGED UNDER THROTTLE MECHANISM - WEDGED THROTTLE WIDE OPEN. CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELLERATE EVEN UNDER FULL BRAKING (TO LIMIT OF MY STRENGTH). HAD TO SHUT ENGINE OFF AND STEER OFF FREEWAY WITHOUT POWER STEERING OR BRAKES.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Nov 24, 200394,000 milesCA

THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL 95V238000 FOR FUEL HOSE LEAKAGE. THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED IN 1996 BUT FUEL BEGAN TO LEAK AGAIN. THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACED THE HOSES TWICE SINCE THE RECALL AND THEY ARE LEAKING AGAIN *AK *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 14, 2003NY

THE ENGINE COLLAPSED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BROKE PISTON, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE ROD AND CYLINDER TO FAIL. *JB

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls1 injured
Filed Jan 23, 2003WA

AMPUTATION OF FINGER IN BMW ELECTRIC WINDOW

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed May 27, 2002NY

CLOGGED VENT TUBE AND EXPANSION TANK CAUSED EXCESS VACUUM WHICH COLLAPSED FUEL TANK. TANK CREASED AS A RESULT AND LEAKING GAS ALONG CREASE.*AK

Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/CoolerFire
Filed Feb 6, 2002IN

AFTER GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE AND RETURNING 35 MINUTES LATER, NOTICED WINDOW WAS SMOKY. AFTER OPENING DOOR, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT HEATED SEATS MELTED. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED, AND PUT FIRE OUT. *AK *YH

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Aug 6, 2001AL

WHILE ON ROAD VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIED OFF AFTER GOING THROUGH CAR WASH, THE RESERVOIR TANK BURSTED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACKTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Seat Belts
Filed Sep 27, 2000NY

AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT HAS FAILED, AND WILL NOT COME BACK OUT . IT IS STUCK IN A CLOSED POSITION, CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION.*AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls1 injured
Filed Sep 30, 1998WA

POWER WINDOW CRUSHED FINGER WITH PARTIAL AMPUTATION.

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed May 27, 1998WA

PASSENGER'S FINGER WAS NEARLY SEVERED WHEN CAUGHT IN THE RISING GLASS AND THE DOOR FRAME.

12 of 12 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2001
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200126210Routine
200020210Routine
19996100Routine
199826100Routine
199719210Routine
199611200Routine
1995 — this page12410Routine
19943100Routine
19939100Routine

Compare every 740Il 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.