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1998 BMW 740ILA

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
3Owner complaints

Model-year median: 0

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
0
19953
19980
19991
2001
Compare all 740ILA years →

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

What owners reported most

Electrical System
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Power Train
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: 2 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. 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 reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

1 reports
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103,000 miles · Feb 20, 2008
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineFire

MY CAR STUMBLED LESS THAN A MILE FROM MY HOUSE. A FEW HUNDRED FEET LATER IT STALLED COMPLETELY. AT FIRST THE GARAGE THOUGHT IT WAS A FAILED FUEL PUMP. AFTER REPLACING THE PUMP, THE CAR STUMBLED AGAIN AND THE ECU (ENGINE COMPUTER) CAUGHT FIRE. AFTER TOWING THE CAR TO A SECOND GARAGE THEY FOUND A BAD GROUND ON THE HARNESS COMI…

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MY CAR STUMBLED LESS THAN A MILE FROM MY HOUSE. A FEW HUNDRED FEET LATER IT STALLED COMPLETELY. AT FIRST THE GARAGE THOUGHT IT WAS A FAILED FUEL PUMP. AFTER REPLACING THE PUMP, THE CAR STUMBLED AGAIN AND THE ECU (ENGINE COMPUTER) CAUGHT FIRE. AFTER TOWING THE CAR TO A SECOND GARAGE THEY FOUND A BAD GROUND ON THE HARNESS COMING OFF OF THE THERMOSTAT THAT CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP TO FAIL AS WELL AS THE ECU FIRE. THEY ALSO FOUND THAT THE EGS (TRANSMISSION COMPUTER) HAD BEEN DESTROYED BY THIS BAD GROUND ALSO. TOTAL REPAIR BILL FOR THIS FAILURE, ~$4500. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10218612

Official recalls

1

98V142000 · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

Jun 22, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DIFFERENTIAL PINION SHAFT WITHIN THE DIFFERENTIAL CASE ASSEMBLY WAS PRODUCED WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE SURFACE HARDENING. THIS CAN RESULT IN THE SHAFT EXPERIENCING PREMATURE WEAR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION WILL CAUSE A NOISE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL AND, ULTIMATELY, FAILURE OF THE SHAFT AND LOSS OF DRIVE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY.

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.