1998 BMW 740I Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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
- 18 mpgcombined, 4.4L 8-cyl RWD · 15 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 BMW 740I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1998 BMW 740I. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and visibility (2). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 75,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins 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.
- Engine cooling3 38%
- Electrical system2 25%
- Air bags1 13%
- Brakes1 13%
- Other or unknown1 13%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “I bought this vehicle in 2002 at 96k miles it has been nothing but problems, since buying vehicle, I have had water pump failure twice, replaced radiator twice , hoses & rings..two battery's front bumper, catalytic convertor l. Bay, changed.. Brakes & rotors changed nov. 11...... 3 weeks later as I was driving home from work .. I got a transmission failure.. And the car stopped in the middle of the road.. The car goes in reverse but not forward.. I have only driven this car 15 -16k miles since owning the vehicle I have had all these chronic repairs.. …”
NHTSA complaint #10448791, filed 2012-02, 111 milesElectrical system: “Engine failed entirely, while passing a vehicle. Driver able to retain enough control to bring car to halt safely on shoulder. Car towed to technicians. Upon inspection, a hole was found in a cylinder, causing complete engine faiure technicians indicate that electronic firing failed, causing a hole to be burned in the wall of cylinder! Engine a complete loss. Quite lucky no one was killed in this accident waiting to become a catastrophe!”
NHTSA complaint #10047708, filed 2003-11, 98,500 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “The contact owns a 1998 Bmw 740I. The contact stated that the innerline of the four doors had become discolored and was obscuring her vision. The vehicle was taken into the dealer and they informed the contact that the discoloration was caused by the material they used to help against the window being shattered. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10378478, filed 2011-01, 75,000 milesAir bags: “Airbags did not deploy despite direct hit to drivers side door at significant speed when they should have deployed. We want to obtain an independent appraisal of this since the manufacturer claims (and we dispute) that they should not have deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #724019, filed 2000-06Mileage 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 111 and 98,500 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1998 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 740i RWD | 4.4L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1998 BMW 740I 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. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system. The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10142928Dec 1, 2017Electrical system, Engine cooling. SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME (FOR O2 SENSORS): Due to DME software error, the following oxygen sensors plausibility fault codes may be stored in DME 5.2.1 control module:
- 10135028Dec 1, 2017Equipment. SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1 control module.
Other model years of the BMW 740I
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 12 | 23,235 | 9 | — | 27 | — | Too new |
| 2018 | 5 | 96,000 | 0 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 7 | 44,750 | 0 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 12 | 7,348 | 0 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 15 | 75,000 | 3 | — | 18 | — | Falling |
| 2000 | 12 | 73,075 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 8 | 78,500 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 8 | 75,000 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 9 | 81,250 | 4 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 1994 | 7 | 89,411 | 2 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 15 | 93,500 | 2 | — | 16 | — | Stable |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 BMW 740I have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1998 BMW 740I as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 BMW 740I is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 1998 BMW 740I 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.
What gas mileage does the 1998 BMW 740I get?
The EPA rates the 1998 BMW 740I (740i, 4.4L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1998 BMW 740I reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 75,000 miles and the middle half falls between 111 and 98,500 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 28, 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.