1997 BMW 740IL Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 26%of 19 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 BMW 740IL, 26% of the 19 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“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“I have had three separate failures of plastic radiator components in my 1997 Bmw 740IL in the space of 5 months. At first inspection, these appear to me to be thermal fatigue failures indicating some manufacturing defect in the plastic. Bmw denies any such issue and refused to replace the failed components under warranty. The first instance was a minor leak that developed from a small pipe that exits the top of the radiator. Before I had that repaired, the neck of the top inlet to the radiator broke off while I was driving. The radiator had to be replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #10019215, filed 2003-05, 71,000 miles“Car was running fine, was at a stop light and the car shut off had a really strong electrical smell coming from the engine compartment. Opened up the hood and had a flame down at the thermostat area. Quickly put it out and pushed the car off to the side of the road. Had to have a tow truck come tow the car and bring my family out of the freezing cold as well. The thermostat and wiring from the ecu down to the thermostat had to be replaced as well as a fuse that had blown in the main engine harness. Old part was disposed of as well as the wiring.”
NHTSA complaint #10218592, filed 2008-02, 134,043 miles“While driving 60mph water pump failed, causing steam to come up from hood, resulting in loss of control. Consumer stated the radiator hose blew off and the serpentine belt failed when the water pump went out.”
NHTSA complaint #8014686, filed 2002-07Related service bulletins
- 10142928Dec 1, 2017SERVICE 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:
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 BMW 740IL
6 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 BMW 740IL
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology