1999 BMW 740I Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 13%of 8 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the engine of the 1999 BMW 740I, 13% of the 8 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Bmw e38 have a high tendency for the guides for the camshaft chain (s) to fracture and come apart. This leads to plastic pieces to cause catastrophic failure, plastic and metal shavings to be observed in the lower oil pan as well as jump in timing for the owner who has to either pay$$$ or junk the car. The should have at least utilized carbon fiber guides. Many of these failures occur even before 125k.. I find it incomprehensible that someone who pays 70k for this vehicle to have to endure spending another 5-6k to get the car running again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10810495, filed 2015-12Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 1999 BMW 740I
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 BMW 740I
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology