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BMW 740ILModel year report

1997 BMW 740IL Problems

Complaints
19filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
72,000miles, 11 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
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 1997 BMW 740IL (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1997 BMW 740IL. The part named most often is suspension, with 6 complaints (32% of the total), followed by engine cooling (5) and steering (4). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 18% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 72,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year. Suspension complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the coil springs filed under the same part. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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.

Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Suspension: “Steering and over all control of the vehicle is compromised for no reason feels like it is disconnecting and loose clanking noises form front suspension all the time on all surfaces also a squeaky old bed frame noise appears . Concerned about family safety the vehicle is well cared for. Feels like a sloppy messy fumbling interaction between car and steering wheel also veers randomly as if it was detached from the steering system.”

NHTSA complaint #10639599, filed 2014-09, 13,100 miles

Engine cooling: “There's a major flaw design in the Bmw 740i and 740IL fgrom years 1995-200. I was just driving and it failed without hesitation. I spoke with a lot of other owners of this model and they had the same peoblem. To some people it happend as they were driving on the highway spilling coolant all over their windshield and losing control of their vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #10052306, filed 2004-01, 75,000 miles

Steering: “Steering and over all control of the vehicle is compromised for no reason feels like it is disconnecting and loose clanking noises form front suspension all the time on all surfaces also a squeaky old bed frame noise appears . Concerned about family safety the vehicle is well cared for. Feels like a sloppy messy fumbling interaction between car and steering wheel also veers randomly as if it was detached from the steering system.”

NHTSA complaint #10639601, filed 2014-09, 131,000 miles

Air bags: “While driving between 40-50 MPH hit a concrete post direct center of vehicle. Theere was deployment of driver's or passenger's side airbags. Also this vehicle is equipped with side airbags which did not deploy. Cause unknown.”

NHTSA complaint #823307, filed 1998-05

Mileage when problems were reported

18% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 68,158 and 131,000 miles.

0%0–109%10–259%25–5036%50–7518%75–10027%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (11 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 72,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

1998199920022003200442008201420162018
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 1997 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).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
740il RWD4.4L 8-cyl5-speed automatic152218$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

Recall details for the 1997 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. 4 on record; the latest 4 are shown.

Other model years of the BMW 740IL

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
200126100,0003—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20002075,0001—18—Stable
1999685,0020—18—Not enough data
199826106,9340—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19971972,0001—18—Stable
199611156,0001—18—Not enough data
199512155,0003—17—Not enough data
19939—1—16—Not enough data

All BMW 740IL model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 BMW 740IL have?

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1997 BMW 740IL as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 BMW 740IL is reported most often?

Suspension is named most often, in 6 complaints (32% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 5.

Has the 1997 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 1997 BMW 740IL get?

The EPA rates the 1997 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 1997 BMW 740IL reported?

Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 72,000 miles and the middle half falls between 68,158 and 131,000 miles; 18% 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.