1998 BMW 740IL Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 15%of 26 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 44,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 BMW 740IL, 15% of the 26 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,500 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.
“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 miles“This is about my 1998 740IL Bmw. Two times since owning this vehicle the engine reveved up when I was pushing the brake pedal, nearly causing me to loose control. I found the problem. Compared to my previous mercedes benz, the accelarator and brake pedals are closer together. Also, the brake pedal of the Bmw compresses further down that with any other car. As a result, if my foot was only on the edge of the brake pedal, the bottom of my foot extended over onto the gas pedal. The harder I pressed the brake, the more gas I was giving the engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10314873, filed 2010-02, 10,000 miles“While driving on a higway and taking a turn over a curved portion of the highway I found the power in the steering was not functioning and the steering wheel became extremely hard. Whe I tried to brake and pull to the side the brake was also quite hard. The car had then to be towed to a Bmw dealershi, and the problem was detected and fixed. I was informed that the water pump had failed which resulted in the belts to break, causing a loss of power in the steering and the brakes. This was quite a disturbing experience whiel driving this car on a higway and could have caused a major accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #762083, filed 2002-05“Windshield cracked, the weather stripping separated from the window, jets for windshield wiper fluid were not aligned correctly, window regulator was replaced, sunroof rattled, dealer lubed rails and tracks and removed and replaced sunroof seal, passenger side window would not close, dealer replaced window motor.”
NHTSA complaint #558180, filed 2000-11Brakes: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 BMW 740IL
7 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 BMW 740IL
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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