Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reports
78,000 miles · Nov 8, 2010
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 7 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES WERE HESITANT TO ENGAGE AND ABNORMALLY VIBRATING WHEN DECELERATING. THERE WAS ALSO A WATER LEAK IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 7 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES WERE HESITANT TO ENGAGE AND ABNORMALLY VIBRATING WHEN DECELERATING. THERE WAS ALSO A WATER LEAK IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA ODI #10364958
Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury
THE AIR BAG(S) IN MY VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A COLLISION. THE COLLISION WAS AN OFF-CENTER FRONT-END AT A SPEED ESTIMATED TO BE AROUND 20 M.P.H. OR GREATER. THE VEHICLE IS A 1999 BMW 740IA. I BELIEVE THE AIR BAG(S) TO BE DEFECTIVE AND DID NOT PROPERLY PROTECT ME.
NHTSA ODI #10005315
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1999 BMW 7 Series Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year