1998 BMW 740IL Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 15%of 26 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,845miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 BMW 740IL, 15% of the 26 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,845 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.
“When the vehicle is started a light comes on the dash warning about transmission fail safe program. When this light comes on vehicle cannot be driven. Vehicle had been to dealer four times for this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10059250, filed 2004-02, 80,210 miles“The contact owns a 1998 Bmw 740IL. The contact stated that the transmission failed. The vehicle would not drive forward and would not shift into fourth gear when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The words failsafe mode illuminated on the instrument panel. There were no warnings prior to the failure. The dealer stated that a new transmission would be needed at the cost of $6,000. Both the manufacturer and the dealer stated that NHTSA campaign id number 99v005000 (power train:automatic transmission) did not apply to his VIN. …”
NHTSA complaint #10249908, filed 2008-11, 91,690 miles“The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, a loud noise was heard coming from underneath the rear differential on the driver and passenger side. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that there were metal shavings in the oil level of the differential. The mechanic made the contact aware of recall # 98v142000 similar to this differential problem. The vehicle was taken a service dealer who determined there was no recall. The manufacturer was notified and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a local service dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #10172477, filed 2006-11, 135,800 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 BMW 740IL
7 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsBrakes
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