1998 BMW 740IL Problems
- Complaints
- 26filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 106,934miles, 20 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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 1998 BMW 740IL (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 1998 BMW 740IL. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 7 complaints (27% of the total), followed by fuel system (7) and electrical system (6). 20 of the complaints include a mileage, and 5% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 106,934 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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 cooling7 27%
- Fuel system7 27%
- Electrical system6 23%
- Brakes4 15%
- Exterior lighting2 7.7%
- Body and structure2 7.7%
- Suspension2 7.7%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Air bags (1), Engine (1), Equipment (1), Seat belts (1), Steering (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “No warning other than a slight anit-freeze smell. Upon checking out the odor, upper radiator neck between hose clamp and radiator just broke off spewing scalding hot fluid everywhere. Luckily hood was not completely open at the time. Radiator needed to be replaced, not repairable. Old part tossed.”
NHTSA complaint #10120227, filed 2005-05, 97,000 milesFuel system: “I had refuled and started on the highway ,I heard a thumping sound .pulled over could not fiqure out where the sound was coming from. When I reached my destanation I smelled gas. I look under the car and the gas tank was sunked inward and gas was everywhere.I have never heard of this happening.I know this is recall situation. Bmw would never knowly not recall such a dangous problem.there are some things that are minor,but sucked in gas tanks isnt one of them. I cant afford to have the repair. The only car I have. …”
NHTSA complaint #10484981, filed 2012-11, 170,000 milesElectrical system: “On cruise control at 60 MPH proceeding north on state route 3 in virginia when the auto started to accelerate. Tapped the brake no effect. Turned of the cruise control no effect. By this time I am doing 90 MPH so I turned off the ignition. That had an effect. Coasted to the side of the road got out raised the hood could see nothing wrong. Got in the auto and started it up. Rpm went shooting up shut the auto off. Checked the linkage to the throttle could see no problems. Worked the linkage to see if there was binding no binding. Drove home with no further problem. Yet!!”
NHTSA complaint #10321543, filed 2010-03, 142,000 milesBrakes: “I was driving my Bmw 740IL on 2-17-2015 when after getting onto the highway and accelerating, there was a loud boom noise and black pieces shot out onto the road in front of me. I immediately got off the first exit only to find that 1.) the car wouldn't stop after I applied the brakes, and 2.) the car continued to accelerate even when my foot was off the accelerator pedal. I went through two intersections, unable to stop, before turning into a big driveway where I set the shifter into reverse, which slowed the car down, and then I put it into park. …”
NHTSA complaint #10690594, filed 2015-02, 79,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
5% of the 20 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 91,690 and 170,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1998 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 | $3,700 |
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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1998 BMW 740IL in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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.
- 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
- 10142928Dec 1, 2017Electrical system, Engine cooling. SERVICE 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:
- 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 1998 BMW 740IL have?
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 1998 BMW 740IL as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 BMW 740IL is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 7 complaints (27% of the total), followed by fuel system with 7.
Has the 1998 BMW 740IL been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1998 BMW 740IL get?
The EPA rates the 1998 BMW 740IL (740il, 4.4L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1998 BMW 740IL reported?
Among the 20 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 106,934 miles and the middle half falls between 91,690 and 170,000 miles; 5% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.