Skip to content
BMW 740IModel year report

1994 BMW 740I Problems

Complaints
7filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
89,411miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
17 mpgcombined, 4.0L 8-cyl RWD · 15 city / 21 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1994 BMW 740I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1994 BMW 740I. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 4 complaints (57% of the total), followed by steering (2) and suspension (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 89,411 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year.

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.

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “Since 1999 my 1994 740I with 41,367 miles has interim car shakes on the street and at freeway speeds. For two years the dealer told me it was nothing and we should replace the mounts. Now in 2004 the engine shakes real bad, lacks power, and a lot of grey smoke is coming out of the exhaust system. We've gone back to the dealer and after charging us $350 for a cylinder leak test we have confirmation that all 8 cylinders have between a 38%-60% leak. Bmw now states that at 73,114 we need to replace the engine at a cost of $14,732.”

NHTSA complaint #10072791, filed 2004-05, 41,367 miles

Steering: “When putting vehicle in neutral, it rolls back like vechicle is still in reverse. Dealer contacted. Replaced bushings and idler arm and wheel alignment. Left valve cover gasket replaced. Replaced power steering return clamp. Replaced front converter to weld. Transmission needs to be rebuilt.”

NHTSA complaint #8010419, filed 2002-05

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 41,367 and 102,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2533%25–500%50–7533%75–10033%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 89,411 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

1999200220042200722008
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1994 BMW 740I version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
740i RWD4.0L 8-cyl5-speed automatic152117$4,850

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1994 BMW 740I → · Check a 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. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.

Other model years of the BMW 740I

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20231223,2359—27—Too new
2018596,0000—24—Not enough data
2017744,7500—24—Not enough data
2016127,3480—24—Not enough data
20011575,0003—18—Falling
20001273,0751—18—Not enough data
1999878,5000—18—Not enough data
1998875,0000—18—Not enough data
1995981,2504—17—Not enough data
1994789,4112—17—Not enough data
19931593,5002—16—Stable

All BMW 740I model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1994 BMW 740I have?

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1994 BMW 740I as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1994 BMW 740I is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 4 complaints (57% of the total), followed by steering with 2.

Has the 1994 BMW 740I been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1994 BMW 740I get?

The EPA rates the 1994 BMW 740I (740i, 4.0L 8-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1994 BMW 740I reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 89,411 miles and the middle half falls between 41,367 and 102,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

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.