NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 BMW 740IA Recalls & Complaints

The 1998 BMW 740IA has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 BMW 740IA. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

1998 BMW 740IA owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 1998 BMW 740IA, describing incidents dated July 1, 2004.

Most-cited components

Power Train 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10175681 · Filed December 9, 2006
JULY 2004 I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM A/C AND THE REAR OF CAR, I TOOK IT TO BMW DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HEAR NOISE UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THEY ASSURED ME THAT THE CAR WAS FINE. HOWEVER, I WAS NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THE NOISE AUGUST 2005 I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER, THIS TIME THEY NOTICED…

Read the full complaint

BMW/REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL

NHTSA #98V142000 · Power Train — Driveline — Differential Unit · NHTSA notice

Reported June 22, 1998 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 1,100 vehicles

Owners notified December 28, 1998 · Vehicles built November 3, 1997 – November 28, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DIFFERENTIAL PINION SHAFT WITHIN THE DIFFERENTIAL CASE ASSEMBLY WAS PRODUCED WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE SURFACE HARDENING. THIS CAN RESULT IN THE SHAFT EXPERIENCING PREMATURE WEAR.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION WILL CAUSE A NOISE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL AND, ULTIMATELY, FAILURE OF THE SHAFT AND LOSS OF DRIVE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 28, 1998.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 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1998 BMW 740IA. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

1 owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 BMW 740IA.

Power Train

ODI #10175681

Incident: July 1, 2004 · Filed: December 9, 2006

JULY 2004 I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM A/C AND THE REAR OF CAR, I TOOK IT TO BMW DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HEAR NOISE UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THEY ASSURED ME THAT THE CAR WAS FINE. HOWEVER, I WAS NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THE NOISE AUGUST 2005 I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER, THIS TIME THEY NOTICED THE NOISE, AND STATED THAT THE ENTIRE REAR ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $2,015.00. HOWEVER, AFTER CHECKING YOUR WEB-SITE,(NHTSA OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION) I SEE THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON JUNE 18, 1998 FOR THE VERY PROBLEM THAT I TOOK THIS CAR TO THE DEALER FOR. THE DEALER NEVER MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER NEVER MENTIONED THAT THIS WAS TO BE A FREE REMEDY. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOU ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. *JB

Other BMW 740IA model years

Check your 1998 BMW 740IA VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 740IA at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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