1993 BMW 740IL Problems
- Complaints
- 9filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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
- 16 mpgcombined, 4.0L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 20 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1993 BMW 740IL (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1993 BMW 740IL. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 4 complaints (44% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (2) and air bags (1). Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin 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.
- Engine cooling4 44%
- Air bags1 11%
- Seats1 11%
- Steering1 11%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “My car started missing and smoking on dec, 2001. I took it to my mechanic, and aftertairing down the engine, he found that the block was deective. And it was changed in 1999 by the dealer. I have made research and found that this is a common problem in this year and model. Some people have had 2 and 3 block changes. I am in a legal process demanding Bmw t change it without anycharge.”
NHTSA complaint #761810, filed 2002-05Transmission and drivetrain: “Vehicle was involved in a crash and neither air bag deployed. Manufacturer was notified. The new small safety switch which allows the vehicle to start in park and neutral positions.”
NHTSA complaint #8013161, filed 2002-07Seats: “I set memory seat position 1 and it worked fine. I was driving home at 70 MPH and wondered if I should set position 2 for greta. I hit the button memory two and the seat back fully reclined and went all the way back. Being short with short legs I lost control for a second and fought my way to a stop on the shoulder. The seat moved forward but the backrest remained stuck. I drove home slowly and contacted the dealer. It was fixed but I am afraid it could happen again.”
NHTSA complaint #762240, filed 2002-05Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1993 BMW 740IL 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 740il RWD | 4.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 14 | 20 | 16 | $5,150 |
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
- 96V111000Jul 1, 1996Exterior lighting › Brake lights › SwitchCovers: BMW 740IL 1993–1994, 525I 1990–1994, 325I 1992–1994 +11 more
The brake light switch can fail allowing the switch to remain in the "brake lights off" position or in the "brake lights on" position.
Recall details for the 1993 BMW 740IL → · 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. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Electrical system, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Other model years of the BMW 740IL
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 26 | 100,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 20 | 75,000 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 6 | 85,002 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 26 | 106,934 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 19 | 72,000 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1996 | 11 | 156,000 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 12 | 155,000 | 3 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 9 | — | 1 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1993 BMW 740IL have?
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1993 BMW 740IL as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1993 BMW 740IL is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 4 complaints (44% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 2.
Has the 1993 BMW 740IL been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1993 BMW 740IL get?
The EPA rates the 1993 BMW 740IL (740il, 4.0L 8-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.