1996 BMW 740IL Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 156,000miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- 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
- 18 mpgcombined, 4.4L 8-cyl RWD · 15 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 BMW 740IL (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1996 BMW 740IL. The part named most often is fuel system, with 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (3) and brakes (2). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 156,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 3 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.
- Fuel system3 27%
- Brakes2 18%
- Engine cooling2 18%
- Air bags1 9.1%
- Engine1 9.1%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “The gas tank started to make popping noises and thumping sounds. Then when I realized something is wrong when the gas gauge started reading 1/4 tank when it was empty, strangely when I was filling up with gas the cap was hard to remove and as soon as I removed the cap air was rushing in. I ran out of gas on the interstate without any warning managed to get the car on the shoulder. Later on the way to work I started smelling a strong gas odor I assumed it was the cars surrounding me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10567419, filed 2014-03, 133,000 milesVehicle speed control: “Anytime you are accelerating the throttle cable will either get stuck or if you let off the gas pedal its will continue to accelerate. This can be very dangerous especially upon entering the highway. This occurred pretty regularly until we had the throttle cable replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10235678, filed 2008-07, 179,000 milesBrakes: “Vehicle was involed in sudden acceleration while traveling on the highway with cruise control engaged at approximately 55 MPH. Consumer was approaching oncoming vehicle, applied brakes to slow down, as soon as he lifted his foot from pedal, vehicle suddenly took off. Went out of control and hit a parked vehicle on side of road before stopping. Als,o both air bags failed to delpoy. Seeking help from NHTSA in this matter. Dealer notified.”
NHTSA complaint #847736, filed 1999-09Engine cooling: “The contact owns a 1996 Bmw 740IL. While parking the vehicle, the contact attempted to shut off the engine and exit the vehicle. As she turned the key and removed it from the ignition, the engine remained running and would not shut off. She had to remove the engine fuses from under the hood and disconnect the battery in order to shut off the engine. Afterwards, the vehicle failed to restart and was towed to a mechanic. The mechanic installed a new cylinder and housing. …”
NHTSA complaint #10227742, filed 2008-05, 203,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 133,000 and 179,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1996 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 | 4.4L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 15 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
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
- 97V140000Aug 22, 1997Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springsCovers: BMW 740IL 1995–1997, 750IL 1995–1997, 740I 1995–1997
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Road grit and gravel associated with winter road conditions can penetrate the rubber of the lower front spring mounts and accumulate in the mounts causing notches or pits to develop. These notches can develop cracks…
Recall details for the 1996 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. 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.
- 10152674Nov 1, 2018Equipment. Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide
- 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 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 1996 BMW 740IL have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1996 BMW 740IL as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 BMW 740IL is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 3.
Has the 1996 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 1996 BMW 740IL get?
The EPA rates the 1996 BMW 740IL (740il, 4.4L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1996 BMW 740IL reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 156,000 miles and the middle half falls between 133,000 and 179,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. 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.