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: 1 of 1 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 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
1 reports
62,380 miles · Jul 24, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
FAULTY RADIATORS THAT HAVE A DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS FOR THE RADIATOR NECK TO BREAK OFF WITHOUT NOTICE AND SPRAY HOT COOLANT EVERYWHERE. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN JUST VISIT ROADFLY.ORG E38 MESSAGE BOARD AND SEARCH FOR "RADIATOR NECK." THIS TYPICALLY OCCURS BETWEEN 50,000-70,000 MILES. MY RADIATOR BLEW AT 62,380 MILES WHILE DRI…
Read full complaint
FAULTY RADIATORS THAT HAVE A DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS FOR THE RADIATOR NECK TO BREAK OFF WITHOUT NOTICE AND SPRAY HOT COOLANT EVERYWHERE. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN JUST VISIT ROADFLY.ORG E38 MESSAGE BOARD AND SEARCH FOR "RADIATOR NECK." THIS TYPICALLY OCCURS BETWEEN 50,000-70,000 MILES. MY RADIATOR BLEW AT 62,380 MILES WHILE DRIVING AT CLOSE TO 45MILES PER HOUR. COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATAL CRASH AS THERE WAS SMOKE EVERY WHERE. *TR
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
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.
1988 BMW 740ILA Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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