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: 0 of 3 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 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.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
3 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CONSUMER TEST DROVE THIS VEHICLE AND NOTICED ROUGH IDLE, IN WHICH HE FELT THAT THIS WAS A SIGN OF IMPENDING FAILURE. THE ENGINE IS PRONE TO PREMATURE FAILURE BEFORE 100K MILES. THE NAKASIL ENGINE IN BMW'S ARE PRONE TO UNNATURAL CYLINDER WALL EROSION, DUE TO THE GASOLINE CONTAINING SULFUR. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED INFORMATIO…
Read full complaint
THE CONSUMER TEST DROVE THIS VEHICLE AND NOTICED ROUGH IDLE, IN WHICH HE FELT THAT THIS WAS A SIGN OF IMPENDING FAILURE. THE ENGINE IS PRONE TO PREMATURE FAILURE BEFORE 100K MILES. THE NAKASIL ENGINE IN BMW'S ARE PRONE TO UNNATURAL CYLINDER WALL EROSION, DUE TO THE GASOLINE CONTAINING SULFUR. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED INFORMATION ON THE HISTORY RELATED TO THE ENGINE LEAK, WITH RESULTS, AND ANY CHANGES TO THE ENGINE. *SCC
NHTSA ODI #568089
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS ENGINE IS A NIKASIL ENGINE THAT HAS NOT FAILED YET, BUT WILL FAIL DUE TO THE MATERIAL USED. MR
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ON, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION. FOLLOWING DRIVERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STOPPING, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
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.
1994 BMW 740IL Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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