The 1996 BMW 740il has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 29,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SUSPENSION97V1400001997-08-2229,000 affected
Defect
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.
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.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND LOWER SPRING MOUNTS.
Complaints by component
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1
1crashes
ENGINE
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
1
1injuries
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
1
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1
Total complaints14
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The gas tank started to make popping noises and thumping sounds. Then when I realized something is wrong when the gas gauge started reading 1/4 tank when it was empty, strangely when I was filling up with gas the cap was hard to remove and as soon as I removed the cap air was rushing in. I ran out…”
“The gas tank started to make popping noises and thumping sounds. Then when I realized something is wrong when the gas gauge started reading 1/4 tank when it was empty, strangely when I was filling up with gas the cap was hard to remove and as soon as I removed the cap air was rushing in. I ran out…”
“Anytime you are accelerating the throttle cable will either get stuck or if you let off the gas pedal its will continue to accelerate. This can be very dangerous especially upon entering the highway. This occurred pretty regularly until we had the throttle cable replaced. *tr”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 bmw 740il. While parking the vehicle, the contact attempted to shut off the engine and exit the vehicle. As she turned the key and removed it from the ignition, the engine remained running and would not shut off. She had to remove the engine fuses from under the hood and…”
“Vehicle is experiencing sudden acceleration. As soon as the vehicle is started, the rpm's will rev up to 3500 rpms preventing the driver from putting the vehicle in gear without a possible crash. Driver would apply the brakes but the vehicle will continue to surge. Provide further detail.…”
“This problem w/ radiator is very common w/ this vehicle and manufacturer refuses any responsibility. *ak”
“No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak”
“Hood came crashing up against windshield while driving on freeeway. This could have caused a crash dealer found that the safety hold down pin on the left side hood lock was missing, dealer replaced the hood lock assembly. *ak *slc”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 BMW 740il as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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