1997 BMW 740IL Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 11%of 19 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,579miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the fuel system of the 1997 BMW 740IL, 11% of the 19 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,579 miles.
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.
“My wife and I purchased this vehicle at a certified used dealership. We fueled it up and drove it around that night and parked it at our home. The next morning it smelled terribly of gasoline so I looked under the car. The driver's side of the fuel tank was crushed in and it was pouring gasoline all over the driveway. Their was a puddle approximately 3 feet wide under the car. I had it towed to the dealer and they were shocked. We both assumed that they never filled the talk so the problem wasn't known. …”
NHTSA complaint #10583779, filed 2014-04, 68,158 miles“Purchased a certified Bmw 1997 740IL in 11/02 with 69,000 miles. In january I noticed a tin can popping sound from the rear of the vehicle and a vacuum like sound when opening the gas cap to fuel. I noticed that the driver side gas tank had a dent in it although I had not hit anything. I took the vehicle to john roberts Bmw in dallas. The service advisor told me that they had never had any complaints resembling mine and that I must have struck something to damage the tank. About one month later the tank began to leak and basically imploded from vacuum pressure. …”
NHTSA complaint #10096241, filed 2004-10, 71,000 milesFuel system: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 BMW 740IL
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsBrakes
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 30, 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