1999 BMW 740IL Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 85,002miles, 5 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- 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 1999 BMW 740IL (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1999 BMW 740IL. The part named most often is electrical system, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and engine cooling (1). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 85,002 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Electrical system2 33%
- Brakes1 17%
- Engine cooling1 17%
Example complaints
Brakes: “Several months ago the ABS light came on during a hard stop. The light comes on and off at will now. Abs controller has failed according to dealership. No ABS brake control or traction control. Dealership computer first said it was the right front wheel sensor. Replaced that and the same light was on again. Brought it back and then they say it is the ABS controller. They want $850.00 for the controller. This is a safety issue and should be under warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10131588, filed 2005-08, 120,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
20% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 59,094 and 120,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1999 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 1999 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, 2017Engine cooling, Electrical system. 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 1999 BMW 740IL have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1999 BMW 740IL as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1999 BMW 740IL is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.
Has the 1999 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 1999 BMW 740IL get?
The EPA rates the 1999 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 1999 BMW 740IL reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 85,002 miles and the middle half falls between 59,094 and 120,000 miles; 20% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.