US vehicle recalls and complaint patterns, explained

BMW 740iL recalls and complaints by year

Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the BMW 740iL, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.

Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)

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At a Glance

Total Recalls 9
Total Complaints 180
Years Covered 1993–2001

Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.

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Key Takeaways

A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the BMW 740iL, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.

Recall Themes

Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.

Brakes

2 campaigns · Years: 1993–1994, 2000

These campaigns relate to braking system components that can affect stopping performance or warning behavior.

Official notices (evidence):

Steering and suspension

2 campaigns · Years: 1995–1997

These campaigns relate to steering or suspension components that can affect vehicle control or stability.

Official notices (evidence):

Equipment and labeling

1 campaign · Years: 2001

These campaigns relate to equipment compliance, labeling, or tires.

Official notices (evidence):

Fuel and emissions

1 campaign · Years: 1995

These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.

Official notices (evidence):
  • 95V238000 · Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Most Reported Issues

Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the BMW 740iL in NHTSA complaint data are Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:radiator assembly.

Jump to Model Year

Year-by-Year Overview

Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.

Model Year Recalls Complaints Details
2001 1 33 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Electrical system, Fuel system, gasoline.
2000 1 23 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Tires, Power train:automatic transmission, Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel.
1999 0 7 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables, Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery, Engine and engine cooling.
1998 0 49 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:radiator assembly, Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly.
1997 1 27 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Steering, Suspension, Engine and engine cooling:cooling system.
1996 1 14 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch, Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly, Air bags:frontal.
1995 3 13 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:power window devices and controls, Seat belts, Engine and engine cooling:cooling system.
1994 1 4 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery, Engine and engine cooling.
1993 1 10 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Power train, Engine and engine cooling:cooling system.

What to Do Next

Check Your VIN on NHTSA.gov

Recall Evidence by Year

A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.

Most common areas involved: Suspension , Exterior lighting and Tires

Show recall evidence by year

2001

  • Tires: Sidewall: Safety recall involving the tires area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (01V001000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with 18-inch tires. (18-Inch tires are standard equipment on the m5 and optional equipment on the 7-series models). The machine used to mount and inflate the tires on the wheels at the assembly plant may have damaged the sidewall of one or more tir

2000

  • Exterior lighting: Switch: Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (00V048000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The brake lamps in these vehicles are controlled by a switch activated by the movement of the brake pedal. This switch could fail internally, causing it to remain either in the "brake lamps off" position or in the "brake lamps on" position.

1997

  • Suspension: Coil springs: Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (97V140000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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 o

1996

  • Suspension: Coil springs: Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (97V140000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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 o

1995

  • Suspension: Rear: Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (95V192000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The lower suspension arm mounting eye on the right side rear axle hub carrier was produced with a casting flaw.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (95V238000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Fuel seepage can occur between a hose and the metal fuel line on either end of the hose resulting in fuel odor.
  • Suspension: Coil springs: Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (97V140000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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 o

1994

  • Exterior lighting: Switch: Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V111000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The brake light switch can fail allowing the switch to remain in the "brake lights off" position or in the "brake lights on" position.

1993

  • Exterior lighting: Switch: Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V111000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The brake light switch can fail allowing the switch to remain in the "brake lights off" position or in the "brake lights on" position.

Other BMW Models

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⚠️ Important Safety Information

Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.

For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.

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