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2001 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 →
26Owner complaints

Model-year median: 12

1Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
26
19986
199920
200026
2001
Compare all 740IL years →

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

What owners reported most

Air Bags
5Electrical System
5Engine And Engine Cooling
4Fuel System, Gasoline
3Power Train
3
All reported categories
Steering
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Seats
1Service Brakes
1Suspension
1Tires
1Unknown Or Other
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: 19 of 26 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 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 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 reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

Seats complaints

1 reports
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104,000 miles · Nov 2, 2008
SeatsFire

WHILE RETURNING FROM CHURCH TODAY MY LEFT BUTTOCKS GOT HOT...HAD THE A/C ON SINCE IT WAS WARM OUTSIDE. REACHED BACK AND IT WAS VERY HOT...THEN SMELLED SMOKE. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER QUICKLY AND STOP CAR. THE LEATHER SEAT WAS SMOKING AND HAD BURNED A HOLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A NICKEL AND THROUGH TO MY PANTS. DISCOVERED THE SEAT H…

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WHILE RETURNING FROM CHURCH TODAY MY LEFT BUTTOCKS GOT HOT...HAD THE A/C ON SINCE IT WAS WARM OUTSIDE. REACHED BACK AND IT WAS VERY HOT...THEN SMELLED SMOKE. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER QUICKLY AND STOP CAR. THE LEATHER SEAT WAS SMOKING AND HAD BURNED A HOLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A NICKEL AND THROUGH TO MY PANTS. DISCOVERED THE SEAT HEATER WAS ON HIGH...HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT GOT TURNED ON. NICE HOLE IN PANTS AND LEATHER SEAT. ANY REPORTS OF THIS FROM OTHER BMW OWNERS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247467

Official recalls

1

01V001000 · Tires:sidewall

Jan 4, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 18-INCH TIRES. (18-INCH TIRES ARE STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON THE M5 AND OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT ON THE 7-SERIES MODELS). THE MACHINE USED TO MOUNT AND INFLATE THE TIRES ON THE WHEELS AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT MAY HAVE DAMAGED THE SIDEWALL OF ONE OR MORE TIRES. THE DAMAGED AREA COULD WEAKEN TO THE POINT WHERE A SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR FROM THE TIRE COULD OCCUR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: HANDLING AND CONTROL WOULD BE DRASTICALLY AFFECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIRES AND IF DAMAGE FROM THE MOUNTING MACHINE IS FOUND, THE TIRE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 10, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

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.