1998 BMW 740IL Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 23%of 26 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 119,693miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 BMW 740IL, 23% of the 26 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 119,693 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.
“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 miles“The doors will not unlock. All doors with the exception of the driver door will not unlock. If you pull on any of the doors door handle twice from the inside it should open. All of this happen when the alarm activated without any reason. Alarm stopped working and doors will not unlock.”
NHTSA complaint #10325599, filed 2010-04, 200,000 miles“The alarm system runs down the battery and the head lights blanks constantly while car is running also back taillight goes off on on on passage side .”
NHTSA complaint #10704840, filed 2015-04, 97,386 miles“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 2000-11“Dt: the consumer states approximately 4 days ago the cluster on the dash went out the turn signal stopped working on the inside of the vehicle, but they were working on the outside of the vehicle. Called dealership, they informed contact to bring in the vehicle. Monday, may 9, the vehicle started chugging, as if running out of gasoline. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. The dealership stated there was damage to the fuel tank. The contact searched the vehicle but he did not see anything wrong with the fuel tank. …”
NHTSA complaint #10120642, filed 2005-06Related service bulletins
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 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:
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 BMW 740IL
7 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsBrakes
4 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 28, 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