1997 BMW 740iProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 3 owner complaints about the 1997 BMW 740i, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)

Safety recalls2Free fix at dealers Owner complaints30 with a crash, fire or injury Typical failure mileage55kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 5, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 BMW 740i has problems

3 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

2Engine and engine cooling

1Fuel system, gasoline

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.

Complaints by system
System	Complaints	Crash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling	2	0
Fuel system, gasoline	1	0

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1997 BMW 740i recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

no report yet

Springs: coil springs

Recall 97V-140 · Aug 22, 1997 · 29,000 vehicles

Risk. THE VEHICLE'S RIDE HEIGHT COULD BE AFFECTED CAUSING NOISE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 97V-131 · Aug 19, 1997 · 410,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other 740i year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 740i median. How we score

15 7 9 1 3 8 8 12 15 4 1 1 1 12 7 5 4 1 1 12 3 0 1

'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'23'24'25'26

Avoid
Caution
Solid
Best
Not rated

In owners' words

What 740i owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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
Complaint 10061544 · Mar 5, 2004 · 55,000 miles

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
Complaint 10020749 · May 30, 2003

Own a 1997 740i?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.