NHTSA vehicle safety data
1997 BMW 740I Recalls & Complaints
The 1997 BMW 740I has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 3 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 BMW 740I. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
1997 BMW 740I owner complaints
Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 BMW 740I, describing incidents dated May 29, 2003 to October 28, 2003.
Most-cited components
- Engine 2 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #10061544 · Filed
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEM. THE HOSE THAT WAS CONNECTED TO THE RADIATOR MELTED FROM THE HEAT THAT CAME FROM THE ENGINE.*AK
ODI #10043746 · Filed
THERE SEEMS TO BE A COMMON DEFECT IN THE '1995-'01 BMW 740 SERIES GAS TANK. THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT OCCURS THAT CREATES A VACCUM IN THE TANK WHICH THEN MAKES THE TANK IMPLODE. IT JUST CRUSH IN UPON ITSELF UNTIL IT POPS OR A SEAM BREAKS SOMEWHERE. THIS HAPPENED TO ME YESTERDAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO…
ODI #10020749 · Filed
UPPER NIPPLE WITH HOSE CONNECTOR ON RADIATOR IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND BREAKS OFF WITH FRAGMENTS LEFT IN THE HOSE. THIS REALLY SHOULD NOT BE MADE OF PLASTIC AS INTENSELY HOT WATER PASSES THROUGH IT ALL THE TIME. THIS AMOUNTS TO AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR.*AK
REPLACEMENT STEERING CENTER DRAG LINK
NHTSA #10E021000 · Steering — Linkages — Drag — Link — Connection · NHTSA notice
Reported May 27, 2010 · FCP GROTON, LLC
Potentially affected: 150 vehicles
Owners notified May 28, 2010
Defect description
FCP GROTON IS RECALLING CERTAIN STEERING CENTER DRAG LINKS, P/N 32 21 1 096 057, SOLD FROM DECEMBER 1, 2009 THROUGH APRIL 9, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR MODEL YEAR 1995 THROUGH 2001 BMW 740I, 740IL, AND 750IL PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SHAFT OF THE STEERING CENTER TIE ROD MAY SHEAR OFF.
Safety consequence
THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT, WITHOUT WARNING, IN IMMEDIATE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Manufacturer remedy
FCP GROTON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE TIE ROD WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JUNE 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FCP GROTON TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-634-0063.
Notes
THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET FCP GROTON STEERING CENTER DRAG LINKS BEARING P/N 32 21 1 096 057 SOLD FROM DECEMBER 1, 2009 THROUGH APRIL 9, 2010 AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON ANY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY BMW.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
BMW/FRONT SPRINGS
NHTSA #97V140000 · Suspension — Front — Springs — Coil Springs · NHTSA notice
Reported August 22, 1997 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Potentially affected: 29,000 vehicles
Owners notified October 30, 1997 · Vehicles built September 1, 1994 – August 30, 1996 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ROAD GRIT AND GRAVEL ASSOCIATED WITH WINTER ROAD CONDITIONS CAN PENETRATE THE RUBBER OF THE LOWER FRONT SPRING MOUNTS AND ACCUMULATE IN THE MOUNTS CAUSING NOTCHES OR PITS TO DEVELOP. THESE NOTCHES CAN DEVELOP CRACKS RESULTING IN BREAKAGE OF A BOTTOM COIL OF THE SPRING.
Safety consequence
THE VEHICLE'S RIDE HEIGHT COULD BE AFFECTED CAUSING NOISE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE'S DYNAMIC STABILITY CAN BE AFFECTED REDUCING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND LOWER SPRING MOUNTS.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN BY THE END OF OCTOBER 1997.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
BMW/CRUISE CONTROL-THROTTLE CABLE
NHTSA #97V131000 · Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA notice
Reported August 19, 1997 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Potentially affected: 410,000 vehicles
Owners notified October 30, 1997 · Vehicles built June 1, 1992 – July 30, 1997 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
Safety consequence
THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN BY THE END OF OCTOBER 1997. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Other BMW 740I model years
Check your 1997 BMW 740I VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 740I at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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