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1998 BMW 740IL

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 →
26Owner complaints

Model-year median: 12

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 740IL

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 26 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: 7 reports
  • Electrical System: 6 reports
  • Fuel System, Gasoline: 6 reports
  • Power Train: 4 reports
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3 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
    12
    1995    11
    1996    19
    1997    26
    1998    6
    1999    20
    2000    26
    2001
    Compare all 740IL years →

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

    What owners reported most

    Engine And Engine Cooling
    7    Electrical System
    6    Fuel System, Gasoline
    6    Power Train
    4    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    3
    All reported categories
    Electronic Stability Control (esc)
    2    Exterior Lighting
    2    Latches/locks/linkages
    2    Structure
    2    Suspension
    2    Vehicle Speed Control
    2    Visibility
    2    Air Bags
    1    Engine
    1    Equipment
    1    Fuel/propulsion System
    1    Seat Belts
    1    Service Brakes
    1    Steering
    1

    Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

    When problems were reported

    Mileage at the reported incident

    20 reports with mileage · 6 unknown

    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 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 6 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 reports1 injury reports

    Exterior Lighting complaints

    2 reports
    Clear category filter
    97,386 miles · Apr 9, 2015
    Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

    THE ALARM SYSTEM RUNS DOWN THE BATTERY AND THE HEAD LIGHTS BLANKS CONSTANTLY WHILE CAR IS RUNNING ALSO BACK TAILLIGHT GOES OFF ON ON ON PASSAGE SIDE . *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10704840

    Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2000
    Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

    MOTOR FOR SHOULDER STRAP WAS REPLACED, IT WOULD NOT RETRACT, LATER THE STRAP FAILED AGAIN AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. *SLC

    NHTSA ODI #558180

    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.