1998 BMW 740 Problems
- Complaints
- 9filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 72,500miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 BMW 740 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1998 BMW 740. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by other or unknown (2) and air bags (1). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 72,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system3 33%
- Other or unknown2 22%
- Air bags1 11%
- Engine cooling1 11%
- Equipment1 11%
- Seats1 11%
- Steering1 11%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Consumer had accidentally locked herself in her car; consumer was getting out of vehicle when she droped her key, she though she drop it inside the vehicle, unaware the remote key fell between the door and door frame when she closed the door; somehow the remote key activated the security mode: shuting down all power to the vehicle, and leaving the consumer locked in and no way to get out. Consumer was lock in vehicle for more then two hours before help arrived. Two factors helped the consumer; 1st. She was not in a remote area and the 2nd. …”
NHTSA complaint #824270, filed 1998-06Other or unknown: “Consumer was getting out of the car when she dropped remote control key. Thinking it dropped within the vehicle closed the door, not knowing it fell between the door and the door frame. Closed the door, thinking the key was inside the vehicle. Somehow the remote security system was activated, locking and shutting down the whole electrical system, and locking the consumer in the vehicle. Consumer was unable to get out. Because the remote control was between door and door frame,it allowed a small crack between the doors, enabling the consumer to call for help. Dealer notified.”
NHTSA complaint #824169, filed 1998-06Air bags: “Consumer states that when hit at 40mph in the front center of the vehicle the air bag did not deploy causing minor injuries to the consumer. Dealer notified. Ts”
NHTSA complaint #8023915, filed 2002-12Engine cooling: “Engine dies intermittently without warning, causing a safety hazard. Dealerindicated tha t computer showed no defect, and could not explain the cause of the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #846451, filed 1999-09Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 57,000 and 88,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1998 BMW 740 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system. The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Other model years of the BMW 740
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 9 | 72,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 8 | 131,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 7 | 164,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 7 | 113,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 BMW 740 have?
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1998 BMW 740 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 BMW 740 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 2.
Has the 1998 BMW 740 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1998 BMW 740 reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 72,500 miles and the middle half falls between 57,000 and 88,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.