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1996 BMW 740IL

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
11Owner complaints

Model-year median: 12

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
9
19933
199412
199511
199619
199726
19986
1999
Compare all 740IL years →

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

What owners reported most

Fuel System, Gasoline
3Vehicle Speed Control
3Engine And Engine Cooling
2Latches/locks/linkages
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2
All reported categories
Air Bags
1Engine
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: 4 of 11 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.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. 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

What owners actually said

11 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 1999
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrash

VEHICLE WAS INVOLED IN SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. CONSUMER WAS APPROACHING ONCOMING VEHICLE, APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, AS SOON AS HE LIFTED HIS FOOT FROM PEDAL, VEHICLE SUDDENLY TOOK OFF. WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT A PARKED VEHICLE ON SIDE OF ROA…

Read full complaint

VEHICLE WAS INVOLED IN SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. CONSUMER WAS APPROACHING ONCOMING VEHICLE, APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, AS SOON AS HE LIFTED HIS FOOT FROM PEDAL, VEHICLE SUDDENLY TOOK OFF. WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT A PARKED VEHICLE ON SIDE OF ROAD BEFORE STOPPING. ALS,O BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DELPOY. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #847736

Official recalls

1

97V140000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Aug 22, 1997

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 OF THE SPRING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VEHICLE'S RIDE HEIGHT COULD BE AFFECTED CAUSING NOISE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE'S DYNAMIC STABILITY CAN BE AFFECTED REDUCING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND LOWER SPRING MOUNTS.

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.