1998 BMW 740i Recalls

No recalls on record Updated July 2026

No NHTSA recalls on record for the 1998 BMW 740i. That means NHTSA has no open safety campaign for this vehicle — it does not guarantee the absence of problems. Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1
1crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
POWER TRAIN
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1
VISIBILITY
1
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
1
Total complaints12

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“I bought this vehicle in 2002 at 96k miles it has been nothing but problems, since buying vehicle, I have had water pump failure twice, replaced radiator twice , hoses & rings..two battery's front bumper, catalytic convertor l. Bay, changed.. Brakes & rotors changed nov. 11...... 3 weeks later as…”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · reported 2010-11-25

“I bought this vehicle in 2002 at 96k miles it has been nothing but problems, since buying vehicle, I have had water pump failure twice, replaced radiator twice , hoses & rings..two battery's front bumper, catalytic convertor l. Bay, changed.. Brakes & rotors changed nov. 11...... 3 weeks later as…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2010-11-25

“I bought this vehicle in 2002 at 96k miles it has been nothing but problems, since buying vehicle, I have had water pump failure twice, replaced radiator twice , hoses & rings..two battery's front bumper, catalytic convertor l. Bay, changed.. Brakes & rotors changed nov. 11...... 3 weeks later as…”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · reported 2010-11-25

“I bought this vehicle in 2002 at 96k miles it has been nothing but problems, since buying vehicle, I have had water pump failure twice, replaced radiator twice , hoses & rings..two battery's front bumper, catalytic convertor l. Bay, changed.. Brakes & rotors changed nov. 11...... 3 weeks later as…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2010-11-25

“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 bmw 740i. The contact stated that the innerline of the four doors had become discolored and was obscuring her vision. The vehicle was taken into the dealer and they informed the contact that the discoloration was caused by the material they used to help against the…”

VISIBILITY · reported 2009-01-24

“Engine failed entirely, while passing a vehicle. Driver able to retain enough control to bring car to halt safely on shoulder. Car towed to technicians. Upon inspection, a hole was found in a cylinder, causing complete engine faiure technicians indicate that electronic firing failed, causing a…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2003-11-10

“Engine failed entirely, while passing a vehicle. Driver able to retain enough control to bring car to halt safely on shoulder. Car towed to technicians. Upon inspection, a hole was found in a cylinder, causing complete engine faiure technicians indicate that electronic firing failed, causing a…”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE · reported 2003-11-10

“Airbags did not deploy despite direct hit to drivers side door at significant speed when they should have deployed. We want to obtain an independent appraisal of this since the manufacturer claims (and we dispute) that they should not have deployed. *ak”

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · reported 2000-05-30
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 BMW 740i as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.