SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1999 BMW 740I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
8Owner complaints

Model-year median: 4.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1
19963
19978
19988
199912
200015
2001
Compare all 740I years →

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

What owners reported most

Air Bags
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Electrical System
1Engine
1Power Train
1
All reported categories
Tires
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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. 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 reports0 injury reports

Engine complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2015
Engine

BMW E38 HAVE A HIGH TENDENCY FOR THE GUIDES FOR THE CAMSHAFT CHAIN (S) TO FRACTURE AND COME APART. THIS LEADS TO PLASTIC PIECES TO CAUSE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, PLASTIC AND METAL SHAVINGS TO BE OBSERVED IN THE LOWER OIL PAN AS WELL AS JUMP IN TIMING FOR THE OWNER WHO HAS TO EITHER PAY$$$ OR JUNK THE CAR. THE SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST U…

Read full complaint

BMW E38 HAVE A HIGH TENDENCY FOR THE GUIDES FOR THE CAMSHAFT CHAIN (S) TO FRACTURE AND COME APART. THIS LEADS TO PLASTIC PIECES TO CAUSE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, PLASTIC AND METAL SHAVINGS TO BE OBSERVED IN THE LOWER OIL PAN AS WELL AS JUMP IN TIMING FOR THE OWNER WHO HAS TO EITHER PAY$$$ OR JUNK THE CAR. THE SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST UTILIZED CARBON FIBER GUIDES. MANY OF THESE FAILURES OCCUR EVEN BEFORE 125K.. I FIND IT INCOMPREHENSIBLE THAT SOMEONE WHO PAYS 70K FOR THIS VEHICLE TO HAVE TO ENDURE SPENDING ANOTHER 5-6K TO GET THE CAR RUNNING AGAIN. JUST LOOK AT YOUTUBE.COM AND YOU WILL SEE WHAT I AM REFERRING TO. WISH I'D BOUGHT A USED FORD.

NHTSA ODI #10810495

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.