BMW 740I Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 110 consumer complaints across the 11 model years of the BMW 740I (1993–2023) that have at least 5 complaints. 2001 has the most, with 15. Across all years, the part named most often is electrical system (21 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All 740I model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 12 | 23,235 | 9 | 99 | — | Too new |
| 2018 | 5 | 96,000 | 0 | 231 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 7 | 44,750 | 0 | 355 | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 12 | 7,348 | 0 | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 15 | 75,000 | 3 | 8 | — | Falling |
| 2000 | 12 | 73,075 | 1 | 8 | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 8 | 78,500 | 0 | 5 | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 8 | 75,000 | 0 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 9 | 81,250 | 4 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
| 1994 | 7 | 89,411 | 2 | 2 | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 15 | 93,500 | 2 | 2 | — | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Electrical system21 21%
- Engine cooling18 18%
- Engine12 12%
- Brakes12 12%
- Transmission and drivetrain10 9.9%
- Air bags10 9.9%
- Suspension9 8.9%
- Fuel system9 8.9%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2016: “On july 30, I was driving at 35mph on a major road in pinetop/lakeside, arizona when the sunroof, that was in the vent position, exploded inward showering me and a passenger in shattered glass. It was not struck by any object prior to the explosion. Due to extensive damage to the sunroof cassette, the repair is about $7,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11343055, filed 2020-08, 29,000 miles2001: “A chevy pickup pulled into the one way road leading to a hotel and immediately went around an ellipse and hit me as I was exiting my hotel and got hit in the drivers front quarter panel while he was pulling around in the elliptical one way drive. The engine was checked and it needs $5500 worth of mechanical work in order for it to be safe to drive.”
NHTSA complaint #11099269, filed 2018-06, 12,650 miles2017: “My backup camera doesn't work (engage) when the car is in reverse. Anytime the car is placed in reverse the backup camera should come on. I have other cameras that I can't access, but the backup camera is safety related.”
NHTSA complaint #11373672, filed 2020-11, 40,500 milesOther BMW models
3,165 complaintsBMW 328I
2,576 complaintsBMW X3
2,016 complaintsBMW 325I
1,377 complaintsBMW Z4
1,271 complaintsBMW 3 Series
832 complaintsBMW 528I
830 complaintsBMW 330I
813 complaints
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. Methodology