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1998 BMW 740I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
8Owner complaints

Model-year median: 4.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

1998 BMW 740I

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 8 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Engine And Engine Cooling: 3 reports
  • Electrical System: 2 reports
  • Visibility: 2 reports
  • Air Bags: 1 reports
  • Power Train: 1 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    9
    1995    1
    1996    3
    1997    8
    1998    8
    1999    12
    2000    15
    2001
    Compare all 740I years →

    Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

    What owners reported most

    Engine And Engine Cooling
    3    Electrical System
    2    Visibility
    2    Air Bags
    1    Power Train
    1
    All reported categories
    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    1    Unknown Or Other
    1    Vehicle Speed Control
    1

    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: 3 of 8 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.

    • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Visibility. Review the 2 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

    Visibility complaints

    2 reports
    Clear category filter
    75,000 miles · Jan 24, 2011
    Visibility

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW 740I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INNERLINE OF THE FOUR DOORS HAD BECOME DISCOLORED AND WAS OBSCURING HER VISION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DISCOLORATION WAS CAUSED BY THE MATERIAL THEY USED TO HELP AGAINST THE WINDOW BEING SHATTERED. THE MANUFACTU…

    Read full complaint

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW 740I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INNERLINE OF THE FOUR DOORS HAD BECOME DISCOLORED AND WAS OBSCURING HER VISION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DISCOLORATION WAS CAUSED BY THE MATERIAL THEY USED TO HELP AGAINST THE WINDOW BEING SHATTERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

    NHTSA ODI #10378478

    Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
    Visibility

    WINDOW SHADE FAILED. *YC

    NHTSA ODI #607291

    Recall campaigns

    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 ↗

    Defect investigations

    0

    No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.